Every Friday, 88Nine music director Erin Wolf and Lilliput Records co-owner Tanner Musgrove tell you about the new albums you can’t miss on a new episode of On Vinyl. Check out their top picks and a list of this week’s other releases, and listen to their full conversation using the player on this page or on the 88Nine airwaves at 1 p.m. every Friday.
Does it feel as though spring is officially (and actually) on the way? The warmer temps do seem to say so, and we’re all getting hyped for not only the nicer weather, but also a huge batch of records-to-come for March.
It all starts out with this first Friday of the month, which brings us Swedish bedroom pop from Waterbaby; the regal, heart-on-sleeve folk of Bonnie “Prince” Billy; a fresh release from Scandi indie-pop band Haters; and a reissue from beloved U.K. band The House of Love. Dive into this week’s featured picks and read on to see what special editions, versions and vinyl colors await you, whether you’re collecting up a vinyl storm or simply listening.
Happy New Music Friday!
Best new albums out March 6
Waterbaby, Memory Be a Blade
Swedish bedroom pop artist Kendra Egerbladh has been releasing music to Sub Pop as “Waterbaby” for a couple years. She returns for her new album, and it’s some of her best work yet.
She seems to have a really fluid vibe to this new batch of songs, using strings and funky beats to “zush” things up. She also enlists her brother, Swedish rapper ttoh, for key tracks to add not only sonic interest, but also a really unique-to-her, breezy, familial vibe in general. Cosmic berry vinyl is the flavor of wax you can find via Sub Pop Records or at your favorite shop.
Bonnie “Prince” Billy, We Are Together Again
Louisville-based singer-songwriter Will Oldham has released music under his Bonnie “Prince” Billy pseudonym for over three decades. A gentle voice and poetic musings are his bread-and-butter sound, and on his newest he adds a string quartet and a pile of musical friends for a community appeal that’s really lovely. This particular batch of songs reflects on current times, with Oldham stating transparently that they all center around “friendship, community, and the stubborn joy of making art with others.”
We Are Together Again has multiple special varieties: natural and transparent, as well as plain black. There are also some varieties featuring a limited-edition art print, which you can snag at your favorite local record shop via No Quarter Records.
Hater, Mosquito
Scandinavian indie-pop four-piece Hater break a three-year hiatus with the release of their fourth album, which leans into a very dream-pop sound with shoegaze influences sprinkled in that we love. You can really hear their progression from previous records, and this time around seems much sharper — but just as sweet!
For those looking to get this release on wax, a clear vinyl variant is available at indie record stores; or an exclusive bundle is also available with a hand-crafted necklace, tote bag and LP, available directly from Fire Records.
The House of Love, The House of Love
The debut album by British alt-rock band The House of Love is getting a fresh reissue almost 40 years after the self-titled project was released in 1988, which is ages ago and a long time to wait for something special. It’s a pretty iconic record that we’ve had this record on our Discogs want list for some time, and should be a staple for anyone who loves jangly guitars and melancholic sounds. Fans can find this fresh version at your local indie shop on transparent vinyl from Cherry Red Records.
More of our picks
- Arima Ederra, A Rush to Nowhere
- Charlie Puth, Whatever’s Clever!
- Flying Lotus, BIG MAMA (EP)
- Harry Styles, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally
- Squeeze, Trixies
- War Child, HELP(2)
