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.
This week is equal parts a modern statement on current times from classic artists (Kim Gordon and James Blake) and sweetly shared musical moments among friends (Cut Worms and Brigitte Calls Me Baby). Whatever you’re in the mood for — cerebral vs. cathartic, new artists or old favorites — you’ve got lots of good options to add to your record bag this weekend.
Happy New Music Friday!
Best new albums out March 13
Kim Gordon, PLAY ME
Most people hear the name Kim Gordon and instantly think of Sonic Youth. But Gordon has been making her own mark in recent years as she steps into her 70s.
Her newest solo venture is the follow up to 2024’s The Collective and continues with a focus on big, aggressive beats paired with Gordon’s chill delivery. Still, this particular one seems like it’s leveled up by adding more melody and employing brevity. Gordon shared that “we wanted the songs to be short and to do it really fast [so] it’s more focused (and maybe) more confident.” We’d say that from the songs we’ve heard so far, she’s achieved that.
PLAY ME is out on indie-exclusive white vinyl and standard black at any indie store. And if you’re looking to catch Gordon live, you’re in luck because she’ll be playing this year at Summerfest.
Cut Worms, Transmitter
Brooklyn band Cut Worms is the longtime project of musical cowpoke Max Clarke, who’s back with this new twangy rocker. We love the fact that Clarke’s back to working with oft-collaborator Jeff Tweedy, who produced the record at his Loft Studio in Chicago while also contributing electric guitar and bass. If you’re a Wilco fan, pick up this one from Jagjaguwar Records on a beautiful clear red vinyl at your fave local shop.
James Blake, Trying Times
The newest James Blake album finds the English singer, songwriter and producer giving us another round of his classically beautiful falsetto and that famous head voice. The album focuses on the tumultuous and sometimes numbing state of our modern world, with a companion tour that’s notably quite small. Luckily, Midwestern fans don’t need to worry, because they can catch Blake playing this June at the Salt Shed in Chicago. They can also find Trying Times on indie-exclusive white vinyl from Good Boy Records.
Brigitte Calls Me Baby, Irreversible
Chicago-based Brigitte Calls Me Baby, have really blown up in the last couple of years. Forming in 2022, they released debut EP This House is Made of Corners in 2023 and followed with debut full-length The Future Is Our Way Out in 2024. The jangly new-wave band have gained quick success and played alongside artists like Muse, The Last Dinner Party and Fontaines D.C.
Irreversible drops today on white vinyl from ATO, and you can find it at any record shop you like best. Since we’re on a concert reco roll, you can check out Brigitte Calls Me Baby in Madison April 13, along with two nights at Thalia Hall on April 16 and 17.
More of our picks
- Alexis Taylor, Paris in the Spring
- Anjimile, You’re Free to Go
- Daniel Romano, Preservers of the Pearl
- Foy Vance, The Wake
- Laurel Halo, Midnight Zone
- Orielles, Only You Left
- Sophs, GOLDSTAR
