Utne Reader Music Sampler December 2010

By Staff
Published on November 29, 2010
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The tracks for the December 2010 sampler are no longer available. The latest sampler can be found here

Every month, Utne Reader presents free, downloadable music gleaned from current and upcoming releases on independent labels. This sampler was curated by senior editor Keith Goetzman and editorial intern Will Wlizlo.


Asobi Seksu
Asobi Seksu’s forthcoming album Fluorescence often recalls classic ’80s 4AD releases in its dense, shimmering textures and even its album design–but the band’s unique essence isn’t easily captured by simple pigeonholing. Here’s an early listen to a song from the album, which comes out Feb. 15 on Polyvinyl. —Keith Goetzman

Listen: “Trails” by Asobi Seksu (To download, right click on the link and “Save Target As.”)  



Sun Airway

Heartbreak and nostalgia, longing and infatuation. Sun Airway’s Nocturne of Exploding Crystal Chandelier, out on Dead Oceans, is a wide-eyed tribute to the joy and agony of falling on your face when you’re head over heels in love. –Will Wlizlo

Listen: “Oh, Naoko” by Sun Airway (To download, right click on the link and “Save Target As.”)



Zola Jesus

For being only 21 years old, Nika Roza Danilova has released a staggering amount of music–most recently the Valusia EP (Sacred Bones), a haunting, four track mini-masterpiece. Her voice falls somewhere between Pat Benatar’s and Robert Smith’s, but without the pop extravagance. –W.W.

Listen: “Poor Animal” by Zola Jesus (To download, right click on the link and “Save Target As.”)



Qwel & Maker

Lightning-fast lyricism, candid autobiography, and ’80s beats ‘n’ breaks set Qwel & Maker’s collaborative release Owl apart from the rest of this year’s underground hip-hop and rap. Out on Galapagos4. –W.W.

Listen: “The Down Dumbing” by Qwel & Maker (To download, right click on the link and “Save Target As.”)



Lura

Cape Verdean singer Lura carries on the tradition of her native land’s melancholy music called morna. In fact, this track from the new compilation Best of Lura (Lusafrica) could be seen as a passing of the torch from the genre’s leading exponent, Cesaria Evora. –K.G.

Listen: “Moda Bo” by Lura featuring Cesaria Evora (To download, right click on the link and “Save Target As.”)



Kate Jacobs

Singer-songwriter Kate Jacobs put out a string of sweet little pop albums in the ’90s and early aughts, then took a domestic detour to raise two kids. She’s back with Home Game, which is full of sparklingly vivid vignettes and all-over-the-map musical styles. It comes out Jan. 25 on Small Pond Music; also check out Kate’s monthly podcast Radio Free Song Club.–K.G.

Listen: “Rey Ordonez” by Kate Jacobs (To download, right click on the link and “Save Target As.”) 



Mike + Ruthy

Former Mammals Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar borrow a little from folk and a little from contemporary pop in their homegrown music. The recording of their charming album Million to One (Humble Abode) was funded by Kickstarter donations. –K.G.

Listen: “End of Time” by Mike + Ruthy (To download, right click on the link and “Save Target As.”)



Chapel Club

Like waves soaking a dreary English beach at high tide, reverb-laden guitars endlessly cascade across your eardrums on Chapel Club’s EP The Shore, out on Loog Records. Add in singer Lewis Bowman’s Morrissey-esque croon and you’ve got the ingredients for the most melodramatic rock this year. —W.W.

Listen: “The Shore” by Chapel Club (To download, right click on the link and “Save Target As.”)


Chad Valley
Chad Valley’s self-titled EP (Cascine) is the shimmering synthesis of minimal electronica, revivalist surf rock, and low-fi pop–the hottest genres in independent music today.–W.W.

Listen: “Up and Down” by Chad Valley (To download, right click on the link and “Save Target As.”)


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