"More than anything, I wanted to make an album that was generous, that was useful," says Ben Folds - "I want you to finish this record with something you didn't have when you started" Indeed, Folds' masterful new collection, What Matters Most, isn't so much a statement as it is an offering, an open hand reaching out to all those wounded and bewildered by a world that seems to make less and less sense every day.

Recorded in East Nashville with co-producer Joe Pisapia, the album marks Folds' first new studio release in eight years, and it's a bold, timely, cinematic work, one that examines the tragic and the absurd in equal measure as it reckons with hope and despair, gratitude and loss, identity and perspective. The songs are bittersweet here, hilarious at times, but often laced with a quiet sense of longing and dread: a text message goes unanswered; an old classmate descends into the dark depths of internet conspiracies; a relationship unravels in the middle of a lake. And yet, taken as a whole, the result is an undeniably joyful record that refuses to succumb to the weight of the world around it, an ecstatic reminder of all the beauty and promise hiding in plain sight for anyone willing (and present enough) to recognize their moments as they arrive.

TRACK LISTING

But Wait, There’s More
Clouds With Ellipses (feat. Dodie)
Exhausting Lover
Fragile
Kristine From The 7th Grade
Back To Anonymous
Winslow Gardens
Paddleboat
What Matters Most
Moments (feat. Tall Heights)

Indies Exclusive CD Bonus Tracks
Happy Clapper
Why Did You Tell Me Everything
A Million Years Or So

Originally released in 1995 on Vernon Yard Recording - If You Only Knew
is now available for the first time on vinyl - New West Records is proud to
present this record pressed across two LPs and packaged in a full color
gatefold.

STAFF COMMENTS

Laura says: Another classic from Acetone and the first time ever on vinyl for this one.

TRACK LISTING

If You Only Knew
I Don't Really Care
In The Light
I've Enjoyed As Much Of This As I Can Stand
The Final Say
When You're Gone
Hound Dog
99 / What I See
Nothing At All
Esque
Always Late

Originally released in 2000 on Vapor Records - York Blvd was Acetones last record that they recorded - New West Records is proud to present this reissue with an expanded audio format pressed across two LPs and packaged in a full color gatefold

STAFF COMMENTS

Andy says: Simply wonderful laid back rock with irresistible guitar lines weaving melodies under cool vocal harmonies. Mark Lightcap, Richie Lee and Steve Hadley have recorded a perfect album - steel pedal guitar and Hammond organ add to the rich mix. Previously only available on import, this is a long-time Piccadilly favourite.

TRACK LISTING

Things Are Gonna Be Alright
Wonderful World
19
Vibrato
Like I Told You
It's A Lie
Bonds
One Drop
Vaccination
Stray

Originally released in 1997 on Vapor Records - Acetone (Full Album) was the bands most identifiable record - New West Records is proud to present this reissue with an expanded audio format pressed across two LPs and packaged in a full color gatefold.

STAFF COMMENTS

Laura says: An absolute gem of a record! Fragile, hushed vocals over brushed drums and delicate finger picked guitars. On this album they had that slowcore, slacker feel, but intertwined with Americana and a warmth that many of their contemporaries lacked and they sounded like no-one else at the time. Everyone from Jason Pierce to Hope Sandoval has since cites them as an influence and 25 years on from it's original release this LP still sounds incredible.

TRACK LISTING

Every Kiss
All The Time
Germs
Might As Well
Shobud
All You Know
Good Life
Dee
Waltz
Another Minute
So Slow
Chew

Originally released on vinyl in 1993 via Hut Recordings (UK), Acetone's debut album is now available in an expanded 2LP format and packaged in a gatefold - The is the first pressing in over 30 years.

STAFF COMMENTS

Laura says: Originally released in the UK in 1993 on the long defunct Hut Recordings, everyone at the shop instantly fell in love with this album. Velvets infused slacker rock interspersed with shimmering, Americana tinged melancholy. Amazing!

TRACK LISTING

Come On 
Pinch 
Sundown 
Chills 
Endless Summer
Louise
Don't Cry
No Need Swim 
Barefoot On Sunday

The story of Overcome By Happiness is one of great risk and greater payoff. Its the story of a disgruntled country singer struggling to define himself against prevailing musical trends. It's the story of a songwriter just finding his voice, an artist so desperate to express himself that he scrapped one band to form another, risking his record contract and arguably his career to put the sounds he heard in his head onto tape. Its the story of a musician embracing the sounds of his childhood: AM easy listening, sophisticated chamber pop, baroque lounge music, Bread, the Carpenters, Bacharach, Manilow. It? s the story of a poet driving through Massachusetts in a rusted-out Bonneville with a wooden bumper.

This time has come for this story to be told on vinyl.

TRACK LISTING

Black Vinyl Edition
Dimmest Star
Monkey Suit
Chicken Wire
Wait To Stop
All I Know
Shoes and Clothes
Wherein Obscurely
Ferris Wheel

Double Orange & White Vinyl 
Crestfallen
Overcome By Happiness
Sick Of You
Clear Spot
Dimmest Star
Monkey Suit
Chicken Wire
Wait To Stop
All I Know
Shoes And Clothes
Wherein Obscurely
Ferris Wheel
Jimmy Coma (1997 Sub Pop Single)
Monkey Suit (1997 Sub Pop Single)
Square World (1997 Summershine Single)
In Plain Sight (1997 Summershine Single)
Love My Way (Psychedelic Furs Cover / Clear Spot UK CD Single B-Side)
Sick Of You (Earliest Sketch Demo) 1:48
Cut You Free (Demo) 4:00
Overcome By Happiness (Earliest Sketch Demo)
Clear Spot (Earliest Sketch Demo)
Dimmest Star (Earliest Sketch Demo)
Song #2 (The Queen Of NYC) (earliest Demo)
Courage Up (Demo) 2:40
Let That Show (Demo) 4:00

Everything clicks on Safe to Run, the fourth album from singer, songwriter Esther Rose. It's the quiet culmination of years spent fully immersed in a developing artistry, and presents Rose's always vividly detailed emotional scenes with new levels of clarity and control. As with previous work, her songwriting transfigures the chaos and uncertainty of a life in progress, but here she introduces a newfound pop element that attaches unshakably catchy hooks to even the darkest stretches of the journey. Rose takes an unblinking look at her own vulnerabilities as well as more universal concerns, somehow never taking herself too seriously in the process. This manifests as a critique of the insidious sexism of the music industry on "Dream Girl," but quickly melts into a hazy memoryscape of the dive bar drama and suspended hovering of her early 20s on "Chet Baker." The song "Safe to Run" (a gorgeous duet with Hurray for the Riff Raff's Alynda Segarra) directly merges the personal with the global, superimposing feelings of spiritual displacement onto the larger, looming dread of climate grief. Rose breathes in the ecstasy of the natural world in one line and makes fun of herself a few bars later. There are ghosts in the room for most of her songs, but she's invited them in and is cracking jokes with them over a drink or two. Ultimately all of these new advancements become twinkles of light in the background as they fold into the big picture impact of the songs themselves. Esther Rose translates her world into eleven curious and captivating scenes. While the songs are stunning one by one, absorbing Safe to Run as a whole feels like witnessing something taking shape, experiencing the headspins of the elevation and the slow return to equilibrium as the clouds start clearing.

TRACK LISTING

Stay
Chet Baker
Spider
Safe To Run (feat. Hurray For The Riff Raff)
St. Francis Waltz
New Magic II
Dream Girl
Insecure
Levee Song
Full Value
Arm's Length

Lily and Madeleine Jurkiewicz create candid music with deep emotional and personal resonance. The sisters, who record under the moniker Lily & Madeleine, boldly explore what it means to be women in the 21st Century and aren’t afraid to use their music to call out injustice or double standards. This fearless approach has permeated their three albums, which are full of insightful lyrics and thoughtful indie-pop.

With their fourth studio album, ‘Canterbury Girls’, named after Canterbury Park, located in their hometown of Indianapolis, the sisters are coming into their own as women and musicians. Using an eclectic playlist of songs as sonic inspirations - soul tunes and waltzes, as well as cuts from Midlake, ABBA and Nancy Wilson - Lily & Madeleine worked quickly, recording ‘Canterbury Girls’ in just 10 days.

Although the record contains plenty of Lily & Madeleine’s usual ornate music - including the languid ‘Analog Love’, on which twangy guitars curl around like a kite twisting in the wind - the album also finds the siblings exploring new sonic vistas. ‘Supernatural Sadness’ is an irresistible slice of bubbly, easy-going disco-pop; the urgent ‘Pachinko Song’ hews toward interstellar synth-pop with driving rhythms and ‘Can’t Help The Way I Feel’ is an effervescent, Motowninflected number.

Vocally, the sisters also take giant leaps forward. The dreamy waltz ‘Self Care’ is a rich, piano-heavy track on which their voices intertwine for soulful harmonies, while the meticulous ‘Just Do It’ has a throwback 70s R&B vibe. “This is the first record Lily and I have ever done where we have full control over all of the songwriting,” says Madeleine. “We did co-write with some people that we really love. But everything on this record is completely ours. I feel like I have full ownership over it, and that makes me feel very strong and independent.” With this growing self-confidence and musical poise, it’s clear that Lily & Madeleine are positioned for even greater things going forward.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Lil & Mads' last outing, 'Keep It Together' was a big hit in the shop, and their latest, 'Canterbury Girls' will surely meet the same reception. Slightly more upbeat this time around, we get an infectious smattering of neo-soul, shimmering synth-pop and even the odd inkling of classic-rock melodies and the ever-present addictive two-part harmonies we've come to know and love. Beautiful stuff.

TRACK LISTING

Self Care
Supernatural Sadness
Just Do It
Canterbury Girls
Bruises Pachinko Song
Circles
Can’t Help The Way I Feel
Analog Love
Go

“Hello. I’m Robert Ellis, The Texas Piano Man. I wanted to take a moment to say a few words about this record and what you might expect from it. ‘Texas Piano Man’ is a collection of songs specifically written for my piano driven Rock & Roll band from the great state of Texas. Myself and the guys bring these songs to you in the very spirit of Texas itself; loudly, confidently, over the top, larger than life, at times deadly serious and yet always with a wink and a smile. We invite you to come on in, stay a while, and when you leave take with you the spirit of these songs, the spirit of Texas, and the spirit of The Texas Piano Man himself. Adios!” - Robert

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: From the grand, cinematic soundtrackery of Elton John or off-kilter college-rock keyfoolery of Ben Folds, Robert Ellis skilfully weaves heartfelt piano minimalism into grand classic rock opuses (opii?) within the space of a couple minutes. Perfectly constructed and brilliantly conceived rock and/or roll.

TRACK LISTING

Fucking Crazy
When You’re Away
Nobody Smokes Anymore
Passive Aggressive
Father
There You Are
Let Me In
Aren’t We Supposed To Be In Love
Lullaby
He Made Me Do It
Topo Chico

‘Finally Free’ marks Daniel Romano’s eighth long playing album in the last eight years. He has had what understatedly would be considered a prolific output of incredibly entrancing, poignant and creative records in this span of time. Recording, producing, designing and landing his records into the minds and hearts of scores of fans the world over. He has been called a shapeshifter, contrived, a chameleon, a charlatan, the best living songwriter, an asshole and a genius. His last record, ‘Modern Pressure’, received outstandingly high acclaim and praise from every notable publication out there and was acknowledged by a plethora of voguish year-end lists. Despite being the bronze placeholder in most of these dogfights, he is most often noted as a person of astounding influence on all of his musically economic successors.

“No matter what he does, everything he puts out is better than anything else being put out by anyone else.” - Unnamed Subjugate

Romano’s new effort, ‘Finally Free’, could stand alone as being pivotal if it were only its profound and breath-taking prose on paper. Writing now like an agnostic Whitman in his prime, Romano explores and uncovers new language and meaning for old sentiments grown tired, stating, “these poems are most certainly my finest and most principled efforts to date.”

‘Finally Free’ sings like a radical revelation, exploring the concepts of music as a celestial being, flora as a consequential ancestor and singing, no matter its quality or sound, as the endmost important output of our species. This record contains a vivid religious articulation despite its clear condemnation of a god as a singular ruling white male. New words have replaced old words for new meaning and the definitions have been left up to interpretation.

TRACK LISTING

Empty Husk
All The Reaching Trims
The Long Mirror Of Time
Celestial Manis
Between The Blades Of Grass
Rhythmic Blood
Have You Arrival
Gleaming Sects Of Aniram
There Is Beauty In The Vibrant Form

The songs and narrative’s on LONER reflect my life over the last couple years––I joined Tinder, I got my first apartment and painted it teal, I went to par¬ties, I discussed politics, I had a girlfriend, we traveled the country, we broke up. I learned, for better or worse, how to be a member of the modern world. Turns out the modern world is terrifying.

Tired of the bottomless pit of sad songs, I decided to put a spin on my greatest songwriting inspirations––misogyny, unplanned pregnancy, Capitalism, anxiety, loneliness and death––and wrap such depressing subject matter in a sprightly, angsty pop burrito…Because it’s hard being serious all the time and sometimes sad songs just need a cocktail. Loner reflects the styles of music I love––pop, folk, punk, electronic, and surf music––all thrown into a blender with a ladle full of cheeky satire. I call it Schizodrift. It sounds like Blondie drunk on mai tais.

Loner was co-produced by myself and the wonderful Paul Butler (Deven¬dra Banhart, Michael Kiwanuka, St. Paul & The Broken Bones) and recorded in freezing Northern California, in addition to my parent’s attic and my last apart¬ment. It was mixed by sound guru Andrew Sarlo (Big Thief, Nick Hakim, Show Me The Body) in Brooklyn, NY.

Sometimes the catalyst for creating great art is simply being in the right place at the right time. For Arthur Buck, the new collaboration between singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur and guitarist Peter Buck, that place was Mexico and that time was the fall of 2017. Specifically, a little town off the Baja coast named Todos Santos, with the Sierra de la Laguna mountains to the east and the bright blue Pacific stretching out infinitely to the west. It is here that Buck has held the Todos Santos Music Festival for the last several years, which he created in 2012 with his wife, Chloe Johnson, shortly after R.E.M. called it a day.

Among the many artists who have played the festival is Joseph Arthur, who also happened to leave behind a guitar - a Dobro, specifically - after his last appearance there. And so last year he made the trek down to Todos Santos to pick up the instrument. Which is where he ran into Peter Buck. That was the beginning of Arthur Buck.

The creative result of this relationship is a vibrant 11-song collection that captures the spontaneity at the heart of the project - right down to the 1-2-3-4 count off from Buck that opens the record - with sounds and styles meshed together in an easy, almost playful manner.

Tchad Blake was brought in to mix the proceedings and the product is the new Arthur Buck - the outcome of a shockingly productive burst of inspiration.

TRACK LISTING

I Am The Moment
Are You Electrified? The Wanderer
Forever Waiting
If You Wake Up In Time
Summertime
American Century
Forever Falling
Before Your Love Is Gone
Wide Awake In November
Can’t Make It Without You

‘Keep It Together’, the third album in just over three years by Indianapolis-based sisters Lily & Madeleine, is set for release via esteemed New West Records.

The spellbinding ten-song statement is the dynamic product of two distinct musical personalities, bound by kinship, melding seamlessly into one ephemeral and dreamy collection.

The sisters have come a long way since they began making YouTube videos in 2012, releasing two critically acclaimed albums on Sufjan Stevens’ Asthmatic Kitty Records and selling out myriad shows both in the US and overseas.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Cheery jangly Summer-pop on the newest album from singer-songwriting sisters Lily & Madeleine. Upbeat but slightly introspective, minimal pop-pieces for hazy days and sunsets. Beautiful stuff.

TRACK LISTING

Not Gonna
For The Weak
Westfield
Chicago
Hourglass
Hotel Pool
Smoke Tricks
Midwest Kid
Small Talk
Nothing

Not quite country, Americana, folk, songwriter or pop, Daniel Romano’s exquisite and expansive new album - ‘If I’ve Only One Time Askin’’, released on New West Records - is pieces of each but ultimately the work of asingular mind.

As hailed by Rolling Stone, the 11 self-produced and largely self-performed new songs “lead their baritone-voiced creator down a path filled with countrypolitan crooning, honky-tonk heartache and midcentury melodrama.”

In the two years since his critically acclaimed third full length ‘Come Cry With Me’, Romano has toured North America and Europe extensively, collaborating with and supporting a wide spectrum of artists, including Old Crow Medicine Show, Wanda Jackson, Hurray For The Riff Raff and Caitlin Rose.

TRACK LISTING

I’m Gonna Teach You
Old Fires Die
Strange Faces
All The Way Under The Hill
If I’ve Only One Time Askin’
The One That Got Away (Came Back Today)
There’s A Hardship
Learning To Do Without Me
Two Word Joe
If You Go Your Way (I’ll Go Blind)
Let Me Sleep (At The End Of A Dream)

The latest album, 'Heartbreak Pass', by seminal alt-country / rock band Giant Sand marks their 30th anniversary. Individually, each track on the record looms large on its own but, when heard as one complete offering, you know that you are listening to something very, very special.

The Arizona desert has been a predominate theme and source of inspiration for Howe Gelb, the indie rock pioneer and frontman for Giant Sand. The group can also be looked at as Howe’s one-man-band with many guests and collaborators. The album features Steve Shelly (Sonic Youth), Grant-Lee Phillips and Ilse DeLange (Common Linnets). 

TRACK LISTING

1. Heaventually
2. Texting Feist
3. Hurtin' Habit
4. Transponder
5. Song So Wrong
6. Every Now And Then
7. Man On A String
8. Home Sweat Home
9. Eye Opening
10. Pen To Paper
11. Bitter Suite
12. House In Order
13. Gypsy Candle
14. Done
15. Forever And Always

For their fifth album, the Athens-bred/Nashville-based power trio the Whigs wanted to find the exact midpoint between raw and rehearsed. After more than a decade together - during which they’ve released four critically lauded studio albums and toured constantly as either headliners or openers for the likes of the Drive-By Truckers, Kings of Leon, and MGMT - the three members all agreed that they wanted to flex their muscles a bit: write some good songs, get them down as tight as possible, hit , and tear shit up.

TRACK LISTING

1. You Should Be Able To Feel It
2. Asking Strangers For Directions
3. The Particular
4. Hit Me
5. Modern Creation
6. Friday Night
7. She Is Everywhere
8. Too Much In The Morning
9. I Couldn't Lie
10. The Difference Between One And Two