Avantdale Bowling Club - Trees

Another fabulous project from Avantdale Bowling Club and regardless of how you feel about the gracious herb, ABC provides ample funk to enjoy 'Trees'. Tom Scott delivers typically vivid poetry as he sets a scene on 'Liquor Store', delivers details on his herb growing/selling journey, and breaks down society like a prophet. Scott is a wizard at telling everyday stories and this project is grounded in this ability, while a jazzy backdrop offers extra pockets for Scott's stories to explore. For those who have followed Scott's music for over a decade, each new project seems like his best mahi. Anyone new to this will enjoy Aotearoa's finest story-teller flowing through typically mellow instrumentation and old school fans will enjoy Scott's growth, that hasn't stretched beyond basic Auckland tales.

Marlon Williams – My Boy

Dunno how he does it but he does it. Marlon Williams is a proper craftsman, whipping up all these songs that feel hand-made as if he picked them up from the arts market. If there’s a criticism of his third album, My Boy, it’s that maybe it’s more a collection of songs than a cohesive album – even the lead singles were quite contrasting with the Aotearoa strum of the title track against with the synth paranoia of Thinking of Nina. But that’s only *if* there’s a criticism. Which there isn’t because when the tunes are this strong it doesn’t matter. Funkily enough, it’s the synthier tracks that crack and sizzle the most - songs like My Heart The Wormhole, Princes Walk, and Soft Boys Make The Grade. Another string to his bow. There’s also an almost unrecognisable Barry Gibb/Barba Streisand cover as closer. The production is fantastic, the instrumentation/arrangements are constantly thrilling, though Marlon being Marlon the thing that takes this album into transcendence is that absolutely incredible voice of the man’s. Nobody’s gonna serve up a better song than Thinking of Nina in 2022.

Kenny Beats – LOUIE

A debut solo record for one of the most in-demand producers in the hip hop game, stepping out of the cave following super efforts with Denzel Curry and Vince Staples amongst others (the last IDLES record!) and finally putting his own name on a project. LOUIE is a tribute to the 90s mixtapes his dad used to craft. As you’d expect, it’s built mostly around breezy beats slapped onto tasteful old school soul samples. You get a couple guest features, such as Jpegmafia and Slowthai. But mostly it’s chill sounds with a surprisingly tender emotional baseline which obviously have a special resonance for the bloke himself. Less an offering than an invitation.

The Beths – Expert In A Dying Field

Make that three for three for The Beths. This is maybe the third best album of the three, lacking the sheer energy of Future Me Hates Me and the variety of Jump Rope Gazers... but when your third best album is of this calibre then you’re doing okay. With this you’d now have to argue that The Beths are one of Aotearoa’s biggest bands of the last couple decades – not too many others have stayed flawless through three records. The title track gets things off to a great start. Knees Deep doesn’t lose that momentum at all. Silence is Golden goes hard. Head in the Clouds. Best Left. I Told You That I Was Afraid. And 2am is a sweet, subtle finale. Dunno what to tell you, buddy. The Beths don’t miss.

Greentea Peng - Greenzone 108

Relax into spiritual guidance from Greentea Peng. Nothing strenuous though, just grooves rooted in earthly English tones. 'Greenzone 108' consists of 10 tracks with Greentea Peng exploring her growth and comfort in who she is, as well as her artistic perspective. Drawing upon a range of sounds, Peng thrives with soulful delivery and perfectly blends her growth with observations that offer guidance for the listener.

Sonnyjim & The Purist - White Girl Wasted

Hip-hop from England combines local terms and accents for a funky sound, which is exactly what Sonnyjim delivers in his new project. 'White Girl Wasted' is mainly produced by The Purist apart from tracks served up by DJ Premier and Madlib. WGW revolves around drug use and daily living scenarios with Sonnyjim's offering a fresh twist thanks to his perspective, allowing WGW to cruise along lightly. While Sonnyjim holds WGW together with his witty poetry, MF DOOM and Jay Electronica pop up on 'Barz Simpson' while Lee Scott and Milkaveli appear on '999'. Regardless of what is trendy, this is a glorious representation of hip-hop from the United Kingdom. 'Does Shrooms Once' stands out as a banger among bangers.

First Rodeo – First Rodeo

This right here is a Nashville band, co-founded by one of the dudes from Strange Ranger, that you’re going to want to check out if you dig that alt-country/americana thing. Weary, vaguely nostalgic, drawling tunes with clever lyrics and catchy melodies. Perfect soundtrack for a beer on the porch in the fading sunset. There’s even some killer pedal steel on offer. Didn’t It Rain Last Night sounds distinctly like something that Jason Molina could have written. Pucker Up, Amelia is a righteous jam. So Much For Taking It Easy chugs along nicely. Christmas Lottery is a more mournful joint, proving there are levels to this for First Rodeo. A surprise banger of an album.

<a href="https://firstrodeo.bandcamp.com/album/first-rodeo">First Rodeo by First Rodeo</a>

Charley Crockett – The Man From Waco

Charley Crockett works faster than most folks - this is his eleventh album since 2015. He also works better than most with all of those projects containing breezy Americana tumbleweed goodness. He’s an old fashioned cowboy folk singer, more western than country but still with all the usual influences. Usually chucks a blues or R&B tune in there too (including albums dedicated to those particular angles as well). It might be fair to say that his albums have occasionally been padded out with filler given how prolific he’s been... but if that’s been the case before then it’s not the case on The Man From Waco. 15 tracks (the first being an instrumental intro based on the title track) and they’ve all got charms. In particular, Time of the Cottonwood Tree, Just Like Honey, Black Sedan, and July Jackson. The best folk singers make it hard to tell if they’re singing a tune they wrote last month or covering something first recorded a century ago. Charley Crockett’s got that timeless ability. Anyone who loves Marlon Williams’ first album is gonna dig this guy too – very different voices though... tell ya what a collaboration would go alright there.

Freddie Gibbs - $oul $old $eparately

When you need some hearty street bangers, chuck on Freddie Gibbs and his new project '$$$'. After delivering 'Bandana' with Madlib and 'Alfredo' with The Alchemist, $$$ involves a variety of producers such as Al, Kaytranada, Boi-1da, DJ Paul, Sevn Thomas and James Blake as Gibbs explores a range of sounds. There are throwback flavours in tracks such as 'PYS' with DJ Paul and 'Gold Rings' with Pusha T, both of which involve Gibbs adding his twist to iconic vibes. $$$ isn't as cohesive as Gibbs' collaborative projects with legendary producers although Gibbs' prowess in juggling flows and his experiences tie everything together nicely. This is best served turned up loud when you need some extra juice.

Nicholas Craven & Boldy James - Fair Exchange No Robbery

Boldy James pops up in these Monthly Album Jukebox drops consistently and his latest offering comes via Nicholas Craven, who is a more recent discovery. Craven delivers mellow, sample-heavy production that is perfect for Boldy's precise poetry which continues to impress despite his steady flow of new music. Boldy has fresh references and insights to share, with the only guest feature coming from Gue Wop who trades seamless bars with Boldy on '0 Tre Nine'. Fair Exchange No Robbery feels dangerous, as any Boldy project can do, and yet Craven's production is wholesome. This creates a sound that is relaxing, perhaps family friendly on a lazy Sunday afternoon… just watch out for Boldy's tales of transporting across state lines.

Bret McKenzie – Songs Without Jokes

Apparently Jemaine wrote all the jokes because his Flight of the Conchords bro Bret’s put out his first solo album and it doesn’t have any. But a Bret McKenzie song without a joke still sounds the same as a Bret McKenzie song with jokes, just not as funny. Even when he’s signing about the world being broken and nobody coping on the album opener This World, the tune is still full of vibrant dynamic shifts and a buoyant brass section, replete with la-la-las at the end and everything. There’s no joke but there is a gimmick (sad subject matter, happy musical accompaniment). A smile and a wink. Think Harry Nilsson or Randy Newman or Elton John at his silliest. Also Bret did still supply some jokes in the album’s press announcement (“Three (Con)chords (Minus Two Conchords) and the Truth”) just to keep things even. Thing is, post-Conchords Bret has been churning out bangers the whole time, most notably his work with the Muppets movies, and the most recent Conchords reunion really showcased how much Bret’s levelled up as a multi-instrumentalist musician. This is another step along that path. A warm blanket of an album, as one of its Bandcamp reviews put it.

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