Brave New Brief - There is a light you can see that is wanting to be free ...
04.30.25 Indie rock & pop recommends vetted by Tricia Halloran
I felt such joy listening to these particular albums over the past few days — not just a casual background play, but the full-intensity, soul-tuned-in kind of listening. That experience is what I try to re-distribute through this Brief. My hope is that you, too, can steal a few minutes, throw on your headphones, and let yourself fully fall in.
One of my favorite little rituals: noise-cancelling headphones, an album on, and searching up interviews with the artist while listening. It’s nerdy, it’s glorious, it’s sacred. Let’s bring back the art of album enjoyment! #ListenInOrder
One gem I have to call out is a thoughtful, funny, truth-drenched interview with Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses) by Casey Epstein-Gross in Paste. It’s my new holy text. I once spent a magical afternoon with Kristin at her house — this piece captures her perfectly, all giggles, all straight-talk, all love, all the time. Kristin Hersh interview.
If you only have time for one album this week, make it Valerie June. She’s radiant. And she arguably has the most ‘aura’ of anyone on this list (as my kids would say—with great reverence).
My May is looking delightfully overbooked: Just Like Heaven fest, Yo La Tengo at the Novo, Memorial Day at Lake Elsinore, and Hurray For The Riff Raff at Pappy & Harriet’s. I’ll report back.
Last but certainly not least: Enormous, continent-crossing hugs & eternal props to the final two legends who slipped under the wire and indulged my pledge-drive mania—welcome!!
🎉🎸🎤🎧✨ Lawrence 🎶🪩🔥🥁🕺
and 🎷💃🌈🎼🎉 Nichole 🎧🎸💥🎊🎵
And a big thank-you to everyone who tolerated (and maybe even secretly enjoyed?) this little March fundraising experiment. While we didn’t hit my very ambitious goal, we did bump the percentage of paid subscribers by 3%—and honestly? I’ll take that as a win. Now go put those headphones on.
~tricia
Which album is heard in my house at the open and close of each day …
Valerie June “Owls, Omens, and Oracles”
Soulful, modern songs from a unique artist that never puts a foot wrong.
https://album.link/bnw112
Who’s your indie Sam Smith …
Perfume Genius “Glory”
Put it on when you need some beautiful in your day.
https://album.link/bnw111
Who is the best 1/3 of Boygenius (according to me) …
Lucy Dacus “Forever Is A Feeling”
Literate love songs for a new era.
https://album.link/bnw108
Who melds at least 8 genres seamlessly on his solo debut …
Tunde Adebimpe “Thee Black Boltz”
Everbody knows he’s the guy from TV On The Radio, right?
https://album.link/bnw114
Who thought she would be an actress until she met musicians …
Miya Folick “Erotica Veronica”
Vocals: 10 out of 10 , Production: 10 out of 10, Songwriting: 20 out of 10.
https://album.link/bnw109
Who is becoming the band they always meant to be …
Throwing Muses “Moonlight Concessions”
Classic Throwing Muses with a bit more optimism than usual.
https://album.link/bnw110
Which record is so good I had to break my strict rule about only featuring this year’s new releases …
Los Campesinos! “All Hell”
”Indie emo pop/punk” could equal 💩 but this album is 100% desirable ❤️❤️.
https://album.link/bnw113
(2024 release I missed 😱 )
If you want more, here are some releases that narrowly missed the cut this edition: Free Range “Lost & Found”, Will Johnson “Diamond City”, My Morning Jacket “is”, Snapped Ankles "Hard Times Furious Dancing", Cold Specks “Light for the Midnight”, Coke “Coke”.
Great list! Thank you for getting the Kristin Hersh article on my radar. I know it's only May, but "Moonlight Concessions" is a frontrunner for my AOTY.