Dear Listeners, Joseph here for a little off-week bonus. I’m in the middle of moving so the next OUT OF THE BOX might up a few days late, or maybe you’ll just here from me next week for the next regular newsletter. Wish me luck! I’ll be back soon with a wintery mix from a new Canadian quartet, as well as podcasts featuring France Jobin and Matana Roberts. But in the meantime, as the blog takes a little mid-summer break, Richard Allen leaves us Ten Fall Albums to Check Out Now!
A Closer Listen is about to take its first 10-day summer vacation, so we’re leaving you with ten fall albums to check out now. Consider it a preview of the Fall Music Preview, which will run from September 1-6! So far we’re tracking over 150 fall releases, with many more on the way. While we don’t want the summer to end, we’re already looking forward to these releases and more. We’ll still be updating the Upcoming Releases page and answering emails during our vacation, and regular reviews will resume on Monday, August 12! (Richard Allen)
Our cover image comes from Alaskan Tapes’ Something Ephemeral, listed below. In an era of reduced physical offerings, we’re overjoyed to see this on vinyl. T-shirts are also available!
Akamatsu ~ Seminky (Ricco, September 26)
Akamatsu has been moving in a more electronic direction as of late, as indicated by “Saint Loup,” the first single from an album that includes nine guests from France and The Czech Republic. But we’re highlighting a different track, “Novembre,” which helps to set the mood for fall.
Alaskan Tapes ~ Something Ephemeral (Nettwerk, September 20)
Something Ephemeral is released at the autumn solstice and speaks to the changing of the seasons. Guest appearances by Moshimoss and Andrew Tasselmyer make this a special occasion, a soothing set that eases the transition from green to brown. The lovely vinyl looks like a snowflake in July, ensuring that it can be played all year round.
Erland Cooper ~ Carve the Runes Then Be Content With Silence (Mercury KX/Decca, September 20)
The lead story, as reported by multiple outlets, is that Erland Cooper recorded and then buried a copy of his latest album, letting it abrade for three years before unearthing it and introducing it to the world. But the most important story is not that of the album’s genesis, but of its poetic patina. The album is designed as a continuous suite; the whole is even greater than the sum of its parts.
Masayoshi Fujita ~ Migratory (Erased Tapes, September 6)
Possibly the most surprising guest appearances of the season come from Moor Mother and Hatis Noit, who grace the latest album from this vibraphone master. Fujita’s sonic palette continues to expand with shō and saxophone, but the tone remains forever peaceful and bright.
Max Richter ~ In a Landscape (Decca, September 6)
If A Closer Listen had an all-star team, Max Richter would be on it. Every one of the composer’s releases is worth hearing, hearkening back to his debut. In a Landscape is considered a bookend companion to The Blue Notebooks, inspired by literature and exuding a love for the sublime.
Per Störby Jutbring ~ Tenants of Misty Mansion (According to the Landlord) (Hoob Records, October 18)
This album was only announced yesterday, and we’re overjoyed that we’re able to share the incredible video for “The Backrooms.” It’s one of the coolest things we’ve seen all year, with emotional music to match: a spiritual successor to “Where the Wild Things Are.”
Sarah Davachi ~ The Head As Form’d In The Crier’s Choir (Late Music, September 13)
Two Sisters was our top album of 2022, so we’re obviously looking forward to this new release. Four different pipe organs are featured on the double album, which also incorporates chamber choir and orchestral instruments, all in the service of the undulating drone.
Sarah Neufeld, Richard Reed Parry, Rebecca Foon ~ First Sounds (Envision, November 1)
In a season for team-ups, we find members of Bell Orchestre and Esmerine joining forces to make beautiful music. First Sounds is elegant and immersive, a release at the far end of the schedule but causing some of the earliest excitement.
V/A ~ Cybernetics, Or Ghosts? (Subtext, October 6)
The guest list is a who’s who of ACL favorites: Aho Ssan, KMRU, Roly Porter, PYUR, Ziúr, Rắn Cạp Đuôi. But wait, there’s more! The album was inspired by an essay from Italo Calvino, and comes with a literary anthology featuring fifteen writers from across the globe. With multiple points of entry, there’s just no way this compilation can fail!
WE ARE WINTER’S BLUE AND RADIANT CHILDREN ~ “NO MORE APOCALYPSE FATHER” (Constellation, September 13)
While we prefer the instrumental (of which there is only one on this album), we can’t resist the pedigree: Mat Ball (Big Brave), Efrim Manuel Menuck (Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Thee Silver Mt. Zion), and Jonathan Downs and Patch One (Ada). The music is thick and distorted, the sound massive, which may be why the title and band name are in all caps.