(Photo by Andre D. Wagner)

Welcome to the new music sheet review, your guide through some of the best from around the world. Read on, click through to our Spotify playlist and enjoy it all on 2SER!

SERvin’ Up! – w/c May 21, 2018

Courtney Barnett – Tell Me How You Really Feel (Feature Album)
—
Bombino – Deran
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks – Sparkle Hard
Parquet Courts – Wide Awake!
RF Shannon – Trickster Blue
Sarah Louise – Deeper Woods
Neighbor Lady – Maybe Later
Ryley Walker – Deafman Glance
Michael Rault – It’s a New Day Tonight

Originally hailing from Niger is Tuareg singer-songwriter and guitar virtuoso, Bombino. At the helm of this moniker is Omara Moctar who grew up amidst a lot of social, political unrest in the West African region during the 80s and 90s. He and has family emigrated to Algeria where they further endured anti-Tuareg sentiment and the subsequent rebellions against it, but it was here where found some solace in guitar, picking it up for the first time and teaching himself how to play. His new album Deran is a joyous and heart-warming listen where Bombino blends funk, blues, folk and Tuareggae, an affectionately self-coined phrase to describe the hybrid of traditional Tuareg melodies and Reggae grooves. Written and sung entirely in the Tuareg native language of Tamasheq, the album was recorded in Casablanca at Studio HIBA which is owned by current Moroccan King Mohammed VI.

Out of New York, we finally hear Parquet Courts’ new album Wide Awake! which was produced by Danger Mouse. It’s an upbeat and propulsive punk-funk record with an undeniably new-found groove throughout. You’ll still find off-kiltered and break-neck rhythmic changes and frontman Adam Savage’s signature sing-shouting, along with a supremely healthy dose of cheek, where we hear the band cursing New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady in album opener ‘Total Football’ – an early satisfying moment in the record.

And from the foothills of North Carolina, is singer-songwriter and 12-string guitarist Sarah Louise. On her third studio album Deeper Woods, we find old school folk that’s downright stark and enchanting. A lush tapestry of texture with endearing ruminations steeped in nature. Rich arrangements based on intricate guitar pickings and extended violin lines, not to mention an incredibly impressive and wide vocal range.

Plus new singles from Tunng, Snail Mail, Laura Carbone, Sun June and Alice Boman.

Until next week,
Steph