On the fence when it comes to new music? PLAY > SKIP rides to the rescue each new-release day with capsule reviews of the latest sounds from a wide variety of genres, plus videos of the latest singles so you can decide for yourself what to play and what to skip.
Moby’s tenth album is self-described as “broken down melodic electronic music for empty cities at 2 a.m.” The cities in question are the ones visited by Moby while on tour. Recorded in hotel rooms during bouts of insomnia, the album’s 15 songs (and book of photos in an accompanying coffee table book) are full of Moby’s trademark soulless soul — and some cool crooning that channels ’70s-era David Bowie. You can practically hear the buzz of the fluorescent lights and smell of the Formica floors. In a world of backstage albums that celebrate groupies and trashing hotels, Moby’s “Destroyed” is a perfect isolationist antidote.WATCH the music video for Moby’s new single “The Day.”
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Kate Bush likes to take her time. In her 30-plus year career, the idiosyncratic singer-songwriter has produced only eight albums. Ardent fans may or may not count “Director’s Cut” as a true ninth. “Director’s Cut” remakes songs from Bush’s “The Sensual World” (1989) and “The Red Shows” (1993). No one would expect her to merely re-record some old favorites and in true Kate Bush fashion, “Director’s Cut” pushes the boundaries of a remake album. Lyrics have been rewritten, song keys dropped, and instruments added and removed. While it’s a studied, meticulous, and lovely exercise, it feels like a teaser to what will hopefully be a completely new work that Bush says is already written. Play “Director’s Cut” if only because there is precious little Kate Bush music that exists to play at all. But stay tuned for something even more grand.WATCH the music video for Kate Bush’s new single “Deeper Understanding.”
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After placing his mark on American soul, hip-hop, electronica, and folk-rock, Danger Mouse inches closer to what may be his final home as a film composer. Along with Italian composer Danielle Luppi, Danger Mouse has created his latest mash-up of a classic Ennio Morricone spaghetti Western-sounding score (courtesy of many of Morricone’s surviving session musicians) and the otherworldly dark romance (courtesy of singer guest vocalists Norah Jones and Jack White) that we’ve come to love in a Danger Mouse project. “Rome” is the soundtrack to every lonely noir film burning in your mind on that long ride home or that sleepless night. WATCH the trailer for Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi’s new album “Rome.”
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Can someone remind me which formulaic, perky, semi-sensitive singer-songwriter is releasing an album this week? I can’t seem to keep them all straight. Voegele’s follow-up to 2009′s “A Fine Mess” finds her mining the same middle-of-the-road pop that her CW fans love (Voegele has had a recurring role on “One Tree Hill”), but the rest of us can skip.WATCH the album preview for Kate Voegele’s new album, “Gravity Happens.”
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Christina Perri’s debut comes on the heels of her platinum single “Jar of Hearts,” which got a lift thanks to prime placement in “So You Think You Can Dance.” “lovestrong.” is the latest in a long line of sensitive/angry songstresses who wrap literate rhymes around pop melodies dressed in the perfect indie clothing. The songs on “lovestrong.” are bound to be hits with music supervisors, and you can expect to hear them on episodes of your favorite shows. Still, I’m not hearing anything that will keep me from confusing Christina Perri with a million other perfectly professional heartbroken singers who have come before — or will undoubtedly come after.WATCH the music video for Christina Perri’s new single “Arms.”
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Warren Haynes says that he’s too busy playing with Gov’t Mule and the Allman Brothers to make time for a solo album. No one wants to see these bands bust up anytime soon, but it sounds good hearing Haynes soak up the spotlight all alone. “Man in Motion” is a tight affair, full of Southern grit and guitar solos that chase the devil and heartache. Yes, in typical jam fashion, the average song length is six minutes. Yet “Man in Motion” songs are more focused than much of Haynes’ band workouts. It’s a hint that Warren Haynes could write some radio anthems if he cared to . . . or if radio were smart enough to play such a soulful dude.WATCH the album preview for Warren Haynes’ new album “Man in Motion.”
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Raphael Saadiq is a musical alchemist schooled by R&B legends, loyal to old school soul, and ready to lay down the groove. Like other revivalists, such as the Dap Kings or Black Joe Lewis, Raphael Saadiq’s “Stone Rollin’” is a celebration of days when music was a hand-crafted affair, built with sweat and a fine tailor. Keep hope alive, Raphael. Keep hope alive.WATCH the music video for Raphael Saadiq’s new single “Stone Rollin.”
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“Turtleneck & Chain” is essentially the soundtrack to the SNL Digital Shorts you’ve been watching over the past season, with a few extras thrown in for more good humor. Lonely Island brings musical comedy like Cheech & Chong’s classic “Basketball Jones” into the hip-hop age. The geek-meets-street mashup routine wears a bit thin after 15 songs, but who doesn’t want to hear Rihanna Auto-Tuned singing about Shy Ronnie or Snoop bragging about his turtleneck. Its funny stuff — even without the digital short to watch.WATCH the music video for The Lonely Island’s song “Motherlover.”
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The Cars were one of the ’80s acts to get the hint. As the decade closed, they packed up their synths and went home, saving themselves the embarrassment of “Totally ’80s” tours. (We’ll ignore that New Cars disaster with Todd Rundgren filling in for a wisely absent Ric Ocasek.) “Move Like This” comes 24 years after their “final” album and 11 years after bassist Benjamin Orr’s death from pancreatic cancer. The Cars decided not to replace Orr and instead go it as a four-piece. Still, their sound is fully intact all these years later, and it’s good to hear a bunch of New Wave geezers show the hipster kids how the ’80s is supposed to sound. Who would have thought that this stuff would end up being art? WATCH the music video for The Cars’ new single “Sad Song.”
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Since 1939 the Blind Boys of Alabama have been bringing their unique mix of gospel, roots, and soul to a slowly growing crowd. The Blind Boys are a national treasure and any musician with a heart has wanted to stand in their light. On “Take the High Road,” Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr., and Lee Ann Womack are some of the Blind Boys’ traveling companions. It’s a more countrified take on their gospel sound, but it’s as natural as the backwoods churches that dot the Southern countryside. Play it on the way to your next Sunday service or tailgate party. Either way, it’s pure heaven.WATCH a preview for Blind Boys of Alabama’s “Take the High Road.”
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