Tori Amos - Trouble's Lament

Sometimes I feel like Tori Amos is underestimated.  Over the years, Tori has recorded a massive discography of albums that span from the last true wave of modern piano rock to bizarre niche moments.  In 2001, she released Strange Little Girls, an album of cover songs originally performed by men, and 2011 saw the release of the classically influenced Night Of Hunters.  Her 1996 album Boys For Pele is nothing short of a masterpiece and still remains my absolute favorite Tori record.  Basically, Tori Amos does whatever she wants, despite any critical or mainstream opinions.  You don't care about hearing orchestral versions of her past songs?  Too bad, because she'll release an album like Gold Dust and that's exactly why Tori Amos is amazing.

Tori has a new album coming out in May called Unrepentant Geraldines, as you can see from the artwork above.  The lead single is "Trouble's Lament" and it calls back to the sounds of her somewhat early music.  There's prominent guitar work and her storytelling is as strong as ever.  Scarlet's Walk comes to mind and I'm absolutely loving it.  Listen to "Trouble's Lament" below"...

Unrepentant Geraldines is out on May 12, via Mercury.

Grace Jones Is Releasing A Deluxe Remaster Of Nightclubbing

Ladies and gentlemen, here's Grace!  Grace Jones' iconic Nightclubbing record is receiving a massive re-issue treatment.  Originally released in 1981, the album has been regarded as one of her best among a career filled with endless highs.  It's one of my personal favorites, alongside with 1985's Slave To The Rhythm.  This new edition will arrive in several forms.  First, a two disc CD including a slew of alternate versions, remixes, b-sides, and unreleased songs from the Nightclubbing sessions.  Second is a heavyweight double-LP that includes the unreleased tracks and six remixes and finally, a blu-ray for the most extreme audiophiles.  There will also be a standard CD and digital release, but you really gotta go all the way with this album.

One of the previously unreleased songs is a cover of Tubeway Army's "Me! I Disconnect From You".  A radio edit is currently available for streaming, ahead of the Nightclubbing re-issue, which is due on April 28.  The song will also be released as a vinyl single in the UK on Record Store Day.  You can stream the track and a short teaser for the album below.

Hercules & Love Affair - Do You Feel The Same? / Raid

 

Shape-shifting dance project Hercules & Love Affair is back with some new music to keep you moving.  "Do You Feel The Same?" is the lead track off of their upcoming record, The Feast Of The Broken Heart.  That's the album cover pictured above.  Pretty wild, isn't it?  "Do You Feel The Same?" features guest vocals from Belgian vocalist Gustaph.  H&LA leader Andy Butler had some choice words about the new material saying, "nasty basslines, stormy, bleary-eyed sounds, fiery, rough, tough and ragged old school house productions that sounded almost techno"  The single is paired with a rabid B-side called "Raid".  It's an almost instrumental track that's begging for a club freak out.  Check out both tracks below...

The Feast Of The Broken Heart is out on May 26, via Moshi Moshi.

Frank Ocean, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon & Diplo - Hero

Every once in a while, Converse likes to release a new installment to their "Three Artists, One Song" series.  It's exactly what the title suggests; three artists collaborate on a song and then it's released as a free download by Converse.  For reference, this collaboration between Kimbra, Mark Foster, and A-Trak was pretty amazing.

"Hero" technically features four artists this time around, although the legendary Mick Jones and Paul Simonon have that Clash thing in common.  Frank Ocean takes on vocal duties, with assistance from the West Los Angeles Children's Choir, and Diplo handles the production bits.  Honestly, anything that involves members of The Clash is worth a listen.

Lykke Li - Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone

Perhaps some of the best news we've heard this year, Lykke Li is releasing her third album I Never Learn this May.  Our first real taste of the album is "Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone", a raw and stripped song that reminds me of when she covered Carole King a few years back.  According to Lykke, the new record is full of "power ballads" and every track is "a slow burner".  If the entire album is in the style of this single, then give me a box of tissues and count me in.  Watch the beautifully heartbreaking "Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone" below.  I Never Learn is out May 5.

Son Lux & Lorde - Easy (Switch Screens)

Son Lux has teamed up with Lorde for an updated version of "Easy", from last year's Lanterns record.  It's appropriately haunting and this re-worked version, titled "Easy (Switch Screens)", adds some heavier percussion to the mix.  The track is part of Alternate Worlds, Son Lux's new EP which "reimagines" four songs from Lanterns.  You can listen to "Easy (Switch Screens)" below and purchase of copy of the EP on colored vinyl here.