"A Portrait of an Ugly Man"
Remo Drive
Epitaph Records
Remo Drive sound larger than ever on their highly anticipated new album, "A Portrait of an Ugly Man," which dropped June 26. With its acrobatic guitar work, deeply self-referential lyrics and off-the-walls energy, the album calls back to the dexterous, eccentric sound that helped the band -- brothers Erik (vocals, guitar) and Stephen (bass) Paulson -- explode into the underground with their 2017 debut. Self-produced and mixed, "A Portrait of an Ugly Man" feels all at once familiar and fresh. Taking shape in their parent's basement in Minnesota, the space breathed a looseness into the songs, while the freedom of the sessions left the band able to explore the next evolution of their sound.
"Lightswitch"
CHAII
BMG/Black Lotus Records
CHAII is the genre-bending New Zealand/Persian rapper, producer and engineer pushing a bold creative vision. Her tracks channel southern-Iranian influenced drum patterns while her distinctive vocal delivers a dance floor commanding commentary on millennial social pressures. Her debut EP, "Lightswitch," was released July 10 through her new partnership with BMG and Black Lotus Records.
The artist has previously released her vibrant video trilogy filmed in Oman including debut single "South," which landed a global sync for internationally renowned luxury brand FENDI for their FENDIVA campaign; "Digebasse" featuring Australian-Nigerian rapper B Wise; and her most recent single "Trouble." The self-directed videos were filmed guerrilla-style in Oman with a small crew made up of friends and cast of locals as extras, and are the perfect introduction to the Persian rapper's D.I.Y. ethos both sonically and visually. CHAII delivers an electric on-camera performance and showcases striking styling set amongst a Middle Eastern backdrop that hints at where things began for her. "Lightswitch" will include her Oman trilogy, as well as three new songs that hint at a compelling new direction for CHAII.
"Maybe We Could"
Kllo
Ghostly International
Time and distance can offer perspective. For Kllo (rhymes with "flow"), the electronic pop collaboration of Melbourne cousins Chloe Kaul and Simon Lam, applying these parameters was necessary to get through the near-dissolution of their band. Following Kllo's adored full-length debut "Backwater" in 2017, the duo toured the world twice over and shared a handful of standalone singles reflecting an evolved mode in their songwriting, a confluence of silky balladry and smooth bangers.
But when it came time to make their next record, nothing clicked. Feeling overworked and out of sync, they abandoned recording sessions at the end of 2018, each going their own way without setting any plans to regroup. The experience served as a reset, giving them space to learn separately, and, ultimately, to appreciate what they have together. Largely written and recorded upon their return, "Maybe We Could," out July 17, signals a new start for Kllo. Ten tracks pairing the rhythms of dance music to emotive chords and melodies; revealing two artists at their strongest yet most vulnerable, operating as their truest selves, honest with each other and their craft.
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With no live music to list, this spot will be filled by news and reviews of new albums, both local and national. Send information about your new releases to Jocelyn Murphy at [email protected].
