Asthmatic Kitty Archive

Top 20 albums of 2020 as selfies + Top 150 playlist

In lieu of our usual collage, here are our 20 favorite albums of 2020 with their cover artwork recreated as selfies at home during lockdown. Follows a 10 hour playlist curated from our 150 favorite records of the year (including a couple EPs), available on Spotify, Deezer or YouTube, with the full list down below.

Hope you might find at least a couple hidden gems to add to your own favorites. Enjoy the music, and follow us on either streaming platform for more playlists, and on Instagram @albumcovergirl for more recreated covers of iconic albums, old and new, and regular content on new music releases.


Covers of the top 20 albums of 2020 revisited as lockdown selfportraits by Albumcovergirl / ©GoodMorninCaptn

Covers of the top 20 albums of 2020 revisited as lockdown selfportraits by Albumcovergirl / ©GoodMorninCaptn

Or stream / watch the playlist via YouTube, with videos whenever available

All links in the list below directly point towards the respective album page on Bandcamp when available, or the label or artist official online store, so that you can easily stream, download or order them to support the artists. (only first 100 links added for now; remaining 50 to be progressively completed within the coming days)

  1. Fiona AppleFetch the Bolt Cutters (Epic Records, US)
  2. Lyra PramukFountain (Bedroom Community, US / DE)
  3. EartheaterPhoenix: Flames Are Dew Upon My Skin (PAN, US)
  4. Thanya IyerKind (Topshelf Records, CA)
  5. Perfume GeniusSet My Heart On Fire Immediately (Matador, US)
  6. TorresSilver Tongue (Merge Records, US)
  7. Adrianne LenkerSongs + Instrumentals (4AD, US)
  8. Moses SumneyGræ (Jagjaguwar, US)
  9. Johanna WarrenChaotic Good (Wax Nine / Carpark Records, US)
  10. Douglas DareMilkteeth (Erased Tapes, UK)
  11. Lido PimientaMiss Colombia (Anti- Records, CO / CA)
  12. TenciMy Heart is an Open Field (Keeled Scales, US)
  13. SevdalizaShabrang (Twisted Elegance, IR / NL)
  14. Hania RaniHome (Gondwana Records, PL)
  15. Zebra KatzLess Is Moor (ZFK Records, US)
  16. Kelly Lee OwensInner Song (Smalltown Supersound, UK)
  17. NnamdïBrat (Sooper Records, US)
  18. Phoebe BridgersPunisher (Dead Oceans, US)
  19. Dana GavanskiYesterday Is Gone (Full Time Hobby / Ba Da Bing!, CA)
  20. Sufjan StevensThe Ascension (Asthmatic Kitty, US)
  21. Becca MancariThe Greatest Part (Captured Tracks, US)
  22. Jessie WareWhat’s Your Pleasure? (Virgin EMI, UK)
  23. ObongjayarWhich Way Is Forward? (EP) (September, UK / NG)
  24. Half WaifThe Caretaker (Anti- Records, US)
  25. AnjimileGiver Taker (Father/Daughter Records, US)
  26. Thao & The Get Down Stay DownTemple (Ribbon Music, US)
  27. ActivityUnmask Whoever (Western Vinyl, US)
  28. JFDRNew Dreams (White Sun Recording / Krunk, IS)
  29. Dua SalehRosetta (EP) (Against Giants, US)
  30. LA PriestGene (Domino Records, UK)
  31. A Grape DopeArthur King Presents A Grape Dope: Backyard Bangers (Dangerbird Records, US)
  32. AlgiersThere Is No Year (Matador, US)
  33. Wye OakNo Horizon (EP) (Merge Records, US)
  34. Porridge RadioEvery Bad (Secretly Canadian, UK)
  35. Squirrel FlowerI Was Born Swimming (Polyvinyl Records / Full Time Hobby, US)
  36. JockstrapWicked City (EP) (Warp Records, UK)
  37. Keeley ForsythDebris (The Leaf Label, UK)
  38. Ana RoxanneBecause of a Flower (Kranky, US)
  39. Frances QuinlanLikewise (Saddle Creek, US)
  40. Owen PallettIsland (Domino Records, CA)
  41. Mourning [A] BLKStarThe Cycle (Don Giovanni Records, US)
  42. OhmmeFantasize Your Ghost (Joyful Noise Recordings, US)
  43. Zola MennenöhLonging for Belonging (Figureight Records, DE / DK)
  44. Other LivesFor Their Love (ATO Records, US)
  45. HachikuI’ll Probably Be Asleep (Milk! Records / Marathon Artists, AUS)
  46. Kate NVRoom For The Moon (RVNG Intl., RU)
  47. Fleet FoxesShore (Anti- Records, US)
  48. Dmitry EvgrafovSurrender (130701 / FatCat Records, RU)
  49. The Cool GreenhouseThe Cool Greenhouse (Melodic Records, UK)
  50. Wax ChattelsClot (Captured Tracks, NZ)
  51. LåpsleyThrough Water (XL Recordings, UK)
  52. Sylvan EssoFree Love (Loma Vista Recordings, US)
  53. Ela MinusActs Of Rebellion (Domino Records, CO / US)
  54. Kaitlyn Aurelia SmithThe Mosaic of Transformation (Ghostly International, US)
  55. Ian William CraigRed Sun Through Smoke (130701 / FatCat Records, CA)
  56. Jeff ParkerSuite for Max Brown (International Anthem, US)
  57. JónsiShiver (Krunk, IS)
  58. Princess ThailandAnd We Shine (À Tant Rêver Du Roi, FR)
  59. Hazel EnglishWake Up! (Polyvinyl Records, US / AUS)
  60. Land of TalkIndistinct Conversations (Saddle Creek, CA)
  61. ArcaKiCk i (XL Recordings, VZ)
  62. Helena DelandSomeone New (Luminelle Recordings, CA)
  63. Henriette Sennenvaldt (from Under Byen)Something Wonderful (Paper Bag Records, DK)
  64. Gabriel Garzón-MontanoAgüita (Jagjaguwar, US / CO)
  65. SamiaThe Baby (Grand Jury, US)
  66. Amnesia ScannerTearless (PAN, FI / DE)
  67. Yves TumorHeaven to a Tortured Mind (Warp Records, UK)
  68. AustraHiRUDiN (Domino Records / Pink Fizz Recordings, CA)
  69. DeradoorianFind the Sun (Anti- Records, US)
  70. Dominique AVie étrange (Cinq 7 / Wagram, FR)
  71. WestermanYour Hero Is Not Dead (Partisan Records, UK)
  72. Soccer MommyColor Theory (Loma Vista Recordings, US)
  73. LomeldaHannah (Double Double Whammy, US)
  74. Ben Lukas BoysenMirage (Erased Tapes, DE)
  75. GhostpoetI Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep (Again) ([PIAS], UK)
  76. WoodsStrange To Explain (Woodsist, US)
  77. Mary LattimoreSilver Ladders (Ghostly International, US)
  78. Cyril CyrilYallah Mickey Mouse (Born Bad Records, CH)
  79. Aoife Nessa FrancesLand of No Junction (Basin Rock, IE)
  80. Rina SawayamaSawayama (Dirty Hit, JP / UK)
  81. Dua LipaFuture Nostalgia (Warner Records, UK)
  82. Ben SeretanYouth Pastoral (Whatever’s Clever, US)
  83. InventionsContinuous Portrait (Temporary Residence Ltd., US)
  84. MAITABest Wishes (Kill Rock Stars, US)
  85. Nils BechFoolish Heart (Self-released, NO)
  86. Agnes ObelMyopia (Deutsche Grammophon, DK)
  87. Laura MarlingSong For Our Daughter (Chrysalis Records Limited / Partisan Records, UK)
  88. Rob MazurekExploding Star Orchestra’s Dimensional Stardust (International Anthem / Nonesuch Records, US)
  89. RoneRoom With A View (Infiné, FR)
  90. SonikkuJoyful Death (Bella Union, UK)
  91. Róisín MurphyRóisín Machine (Loaded Records / Skint, IE)
  92. Lorenzo SenniScacco Matto (Warp Records, IT)
  93. Nadia ReidOut Of My Province (Spacebomb Records, NZ)
  94. Reb FountainReb Fountain (Flying Nun Records, NZ)
  95. IsletEyelet (Fire Records, UK)
  96. Fontaines D.C.A Hero’s Death (Partisan Records, IE)
  97. Yes BasketballGoodbye Basketball (Les Disques Normal / À Tant Rêver du Roi, FR)
  98. Kyrie KristmansonLady Lightly (Iki records, CA)
  99. MelkbellyPITH (Wax Nine / Carpark Records, US)
  100. Sorry925 (Domino Records, UK)
  101. JunglepussyJP4 (Jagjaguwar, US)
  102. TunngTunng Presents… Dead Club (Full Time Hobby, UK)
  103. This Is the KitOff Off On (Rough Trade Records, UK)
  104. Madeline KenneySucker’s Lunch (Carpark Records, US)
  105. Nicole AtkinsItalian Ice (Single Lock Records, US)
  106. Luka KuplowskyStardust (Mama Bird Recording Co. / Next Door Records, CA)
  107. Julien GascL’Appel de la Forêt (Born Bad Records, FR)
  108. Jaye JaylePrisyn (Sargent House, US)
  109. AārpPropaganda (Infiné, FR)
  110. AmaaraeThe Angel You Don’t Know (Sad Saints Angry Angels, GHA / US)
  111. SaultUntitled (Black Is) (Forever Living Originals, UK)
  112. Told SlantPoint the Flashlight and Walk (Double Double Whammy, US)
  113. The Soft Pink TruthShall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase? (Thrill Jockey, US)
  114. YelleL’Ère du Verseau (Recreation Center, FR)
  115. GeorgiaSeeking Thrills (Domino Records, UK)
  116. LAAKEO (Somaa / Mercury Records, FR)
  117. Empress OfI’m Your Empress Of (Terrible, US)
  118. Garage BlondeRage nue (La Discrète Music, FR)
  119. RVGFeral (Fire Records, AUS)
  120. KidbugKidbug (Joyful Noise Recordings, US)
  121. MoaningUneasy Laughter (Sub Pop, US)
  122. Lo-FangNear Other Worlds (Ocean Cloud Records, US / PT)
  123. CabaneGrande est la maison (Cabane Records, BE)
  124. MockeParle, grand canard (Objet Disque, FR)
  125. SkeletonsIf the Cat Come Back (Shinkoyo, US)
  126. LomaDon’t Shy Away (Sub Pop, US)
  127. HjaltalínHjaltalín (Self-released, IS)
  128. Sam PrekopComma (Thrill Jockey, US)
  129. ZerohBLQLYTE (Leaving Records, US)
  130. Soundwalk Collective with Patti SmithPeradam (featuring Anoushka Shankar, Tenzin Choegyal, and Charlotte Gainsbourg) (Bella Union, US)
  131. Oiseaux-TempêteTlamess (Sortilège) O.S.T. (Sub Rosa, FR)
  132. Brigitte FontaineTerre Neuve (Verycords, FR)
  133. Jehnny BethTo Love Is To Live (20L07 LLC, FR)
  134. MottronGiants ([PIAS], FR)
  135. Monolithe NoirMoira (Kowtow Records, FR)
  136. Régina DeminaHystérie&! (Kwaidan Records, FR)
  137. NaeemStartisha (37d03d, US)
  138. Rico NastyNightmare Vacation (Atlantic Records / Sugar Trap, US)
  139. Megan Thee StallionGood News (300 Entertainment, US)
  140. Jonah MutonoGerg (EQT Recordings, UGA / US)
  141. Leifur JamesAngel in Disguise (Night Time Stories, UK)
  142. Kety FuscoDazed (Sugar srl, CH)
  143. Brigid Mae PowerHead Above The Water (Fire Records, IE)
  144. Allysen CalleryGhost Folk (Cosirecords Schallplatten, US)
  145. Andy ShaufThe Neon Skyline (Anti- Records, CA)
  146. Lee Ranaldo & Raül RefreeNames Of North End Women (Mute Records, US / SP)
  147. Hen OgleddFree Humans (Weird World, UK)
  148. Sonic BoomAll Things Being Equal (Carpark Records, UK)
  149. PantayoPantayo (Telephone Explosion, CA)
  150. Thor & Friends3 & 4 (Joyful Noise Recordings, US)
  151. Greg FoxContact (RVNG Intl., US)

Let me know the albums I have missed from your personal tops, and please come back in 10 hours after you’ve listened to the whole playlist to tell me which new albums you are digging ;-) In the meantime:

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2010 – Top 9

GoodMorninCaptn - Top 2010 - Have One On Me, Retold, All Is Falling, Church With No Magic, Until The Point Of Hushed Support, Constellations, The Calcination Of Scout Niblett, All Delighted People EP, I See The SignAND HERE FINALLY COME OUR FAVORITE 9 RECORDS OF 2010… MANY OF WHICH ARE NICELY ORCHESTRATED, SOME PURELY INSTRUMENTAL AND A FEW OTHERS WITH NOTABLE VOICES; SOME GREAT ALBUMS TO FALL ASLEEP TO AND A FEW MORE ENERGIZING ONES TO FUEL OUR MORNINGS… HOPEFULLY YOU’LL LIKE THEM AS MUCH AS WE DO; HOPEFULLY WE WON’T REGRET ALL THE RECORDS WHICH WE HAD TO OMIT, OR FORGOT, OR HADN’T HAD THE CHANCE TO LISTEN TO IN TIME… HOPEFULLY 2011 WILL BE FILLED WITH JUST AS MUCH INSPIRING MUSIC. IN THE MEANTIME, DON’T HESITATE TO SHARE (here or there) WHAT YOU HAVE LISTENED TO OVER AND OVER IN 2010.

Sam Amidon - I See The SignSufjan Stevens - All Delighted People EPThe Calcination - Of Scout Niblett

9) SAM AMIDON – “I See The Sign” (Bedroom Community)

Sam marries ageless folk songs to the avant-garde arrangements of label mate Nico Muhly, unveiling unexpected beauty.

8) SUFJAN STEVENS – “All Delighted People EP” (Asthmatic Kitty)

2010 has delighted fans of Sufjan with no less than 2 great new records: the rambling The Age of Adz, and a so-called hour-long “EP”, slightly more focused, but just as grand and luxurious.

7) SCOUT NIBLETT – “The Calcination of Scout Niblett” (Drag City)

Raw rock-and-roll songs to burn your heart down.

Listen to title-track “The Calcination Of Scout Niblett“:

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Read our review of The Calcination of Scout Niblett.

Balmorhea -ConstellationsGreg Haines - Until The Point Of Hushed SupportPVT - Church With No Magic6) BALMORHEA – “Constellations” (Western Vinyl)

Balmorhea’s compositions got more subtle, welcoming doses of pleasurable silence, and we’ve enjoyed this gentle evolution a lot.

Listen to “Bowsprit“, from “Constellations“:

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5) GREG HAINES – “Until the Point of Hushed Support” (Sonic Pieces)

Strings, church organ, piano, percussions and electronics turn into black magic in the hands of the young and gifted English composer.

Marc’s Descent by Greg Haines

Listen to Until The Point Of Hushed Support on Spotify.

4) PVT – “Church With No Magic” (Warp)

Although the addition of vocals to the Australian trio’s formula may have puzzled a few early fans, it has instilled a touch of immediacy to their music which more than made up for the lost vowels in the band’s name. “Pivot – vowels + vocals = PVT” may have been a winning equation indeed.

PVT – “Window“, directed by Clemens Habicht

Listen to Church With No Magic on Spotify.

James Blackshaw - All Is FallingNest - RetoldJoanna Newsom - Have One On Me3) JAMES BLACKSHAW – “All is Falling” (Young God Records)

Inspired with his new 12-string electric guitar, James Blackshaw has built a more orchestrated suite, which spins and spins, and speaks and sticks to our inner self.

Listen to “Part 7 (edit)“, from “All Is Falling“:

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Listen to All Is Falling on Spotify.

2) NEST – “Retold” (Serein)

Bare landscapes; quiet and haunting.

Retold by Nest

Listen to Retold on Spotify.

Read our review here.

1) JOANNA NEWSOM – “Have One on Me” (Drag City)

With her fingers running across magic strings (and keys, occasionally), and her voice flying high over lengthy compositions, Joanna keeps seducing crowds (and stuffed animals) with a triple LP, which for many towered high above 2010.

Joanna’s magic shall be experienced through analogical means only (i.e. sorry, no official song or video available online).

Read and listen to our top #30 to #19, and top #18 to #10.

New Year’s Label Interview: Asthmatic Kitty

Asthmatic Kitty 2009>2010

OUR 2009>2010 LABEL INTERVIEW SERIES WAS SUPPOSEDLY OVER, BUT TODAY BEING THE LAST DAY FOR 2010′S NEW YEAR’S WISHES, WE COULDN’T BUT OFFER YOU THIS LATE YET WORTHY CONTRIBUTION FROM ASTHMATIC KITTY. I’M NOT SURE THE LABEL THAT RELEASED THE FINEST RECORDS BY MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND OR DM STITH, AND WHOSE CO-FOUNDER AND “MINISTER OF AESTHETICS” IS NO OTHER THAN SUFJAN STEVENS, NEEDS ANY INTRODUCTION, SO LET’S HEAR OF WHAT MADE 2009 A MEMORABLE YEAR FOR ASTHMATIC KITTY ACCORDING TO ITS A&R MICHAEL KAUFMANN.

A) Which records released in 2009 do you wish you had released on Asthmatic Kitty?

I am not sure they would have been right for Asthmatic Kitty or not, but some of my favorite releases of 2009 were:

These Are Powers – All Aboard Future
Micachu & The Shapes – Jewellery
Serengeti And Polyphonic – Pterodactyl
Richard Swift – The Atlantic Ocean
Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
Julianna Barwick – Florine

B) Which artist(s) you wish you had signed will you keep an ear on in  2010?

Julianna Barwick, Slothpop, and the Burnt Ones.

C) What are you the most proud of for Asthmatic Kitty in 2009?

Fol_Chen_Part_I_John_Shade_Your_Fortune_s_MadeDM Stith - Heavy Ghost

Hermas Zopoula - Espoir

Helado Negro - Awe OweOsso - Run Rabbit RunShannon Stephens - The BreadwinnerRoyal City

Sheer volume of releases, we put out more records in 2009 than we ever have. it was exhausting, but we are very excited to have expanded our roster with such lovely folks as Fol Chen, DM Stith, Hermas Zopoula, Helado Negro, Osso, Shannon Stephens, and Royal City.

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Fol Chen “The Believers”, from Part I: John Shade, Your Fortune’s Made

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DM Stith “I Heart Wig” (feat. I Heart Lung), from Braid Of Voices EP

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Osso “Enjoy Your Rabbit”, from Run Rabbit Run

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Shannon Stephens “In Summer In The Heat”, from The Breadwinner

D) What are the label’s challenges for 2010?

Continuing to be long term focused, investing in careers as opposed to buzz!

Wild, Free, Noble, Heavy… 2009’s Best Half… So Far

As many labels are preparing their Fall line-up, let’s celebrate the launch of GoodMorninCaptn.com with a little look at the top 20 records 2009 has offered us so far. While a few established bands have released so-so albums, many promising young women have surprised us (Blue Roses’ Laura, Hildur, Anni, Soap&Skin’s Anja…), prominent indie figures have confirmed they were not only shooting stars (Grizzly Bear, Patrick Watson, Andrew Bird), hyperactive craftsmen have perfected their skills (James Blackshaw, Peter Broderick), and a shy songwriter has unexpectedly climbed straight to the top of this past semester’s podium.

Tortoise Beacons Of AncestorshipBlue Roses Blue RosesSonic Youth The Eternal
20) TORTOISE “Beacons of Ancestorship” (Thrill Jockey)
While trying to move forward with their first proper album in 5 years,  Chicago undergound heroes succeed in synthetising their 3 previous LP’s, dressing them up with drunken samba and retro-futuristic pop.
Listen to Tortoise – Prepare Your Coffin (MP3).

19) BLUE ROSES “Blue Roses” (XL Recordings)
Sweet, romantic debut album of the sweet, romantic Laura Groves from Yorkshire, England.

18) SONIC YOUTH “The Eternal” (Matador)
Everybody’s favorite art rockers are back to an independent label and try hard to prove they are as hip and young as in 1990. It does work… except they should have nothing to prove.

PJ Harvey & John Parish A Woman A Man Walked ByNLF3 Ride On A Brand New TimePeter Broderick - Music For Falling From Trees

17) PJ HARVEY & JOHN PARISH “A Woman A Man Walked By” (Island Records)
PJ woof-woofs and John clang-clangs.

16) NLF3 “Ride On A Brand New Time” (Prohibited Records)
Paris trio goes on experimenting on their 4th album, looping sounds in an electropical psychedelia.

15) PETER BRODERICK “Music for Falling From Trees” (Western Vinyl / Erased Tapes)
In the continuity of Float, only more minimalistic, Peter scored a contemporary dance to those 7 nice pieces for violin and piano.
Listen to Peter Broderick – The Path To Recovery (MP3).

Balmorhea - All Is Wild All Is SilentJames Blackshaw - Glass Bead GameLoney Dear - Dear John
14) BALMORHEA “All Is Wild, All Is Silent” (Western Vinyl)
Part post-rock, part post-classical, Balmorhea’s 3rd LP is an ode to early American settlers with epic strings and wordless choirs.
Listen to extracts from Balmorhea – Harm and Boon and Balmorhea – Rememberance.

13) JAMES BLACKSHAW “The Glass Bead Game” (Young God)
12-string British guitar-virtuoso James opens his timeless pieces to a fuller sound.
Listen to James Blackshaw – Cross (MP3).

12) LONEY DEAR “Dear John” (Polyvinyl / Parlophone)
Some will deplore the cheap cosmetic arrangements with which Emil Svanängen has wrapped its otherwise enthralling melodies on his 5th LP.

Akron Family - Set em Wild Set em FreeFever Ray Cover ArtAnni Rossi - Rockwell
11) AKRON/FAMILY “Set Em Wild, Set Em Free” (Dead Ocean / Crammed Discs)
As an answer to Tortoise’s Standards, this new LP freely ventures from psychedelic rock to experimental folk, with Afro rythms and vocals to sing along to around the fireplace.

10) FEVER RAY “Fever Ray” (Rabid Records)
Karin Dreijer Andersson from Swedish electro duo The Knife wanders through dark swamps on her first solo album.

9) ANNI ROSSI “Rockwell” (4AD)
In her collection of songs for viola and voice, backed with drums and cello, 23-yr old Anna, also a violonist with Carla Bozulich, proves she does not lack the creativity of Joanna, Tori, or Regina. Too bad this Steve-Albini-recorded Rockwell is hiding in such a doubtful packaging.

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post PavilionHildur Gudnadottir - Without SinkingAndrew Bird - Noble Beast
8) ANIMAL COLLECTIVE “Merriweather Post Pavilion” (Domino)
A jolly merry mess.

7) HILDUR GUDNADÓTTIR “Without Sinking” (Touch)
After many collaboration with Nico Muhly, Valgeir Sigurðsson, Pan Sonic, or Múm, Icelandic cellist Hildur releases her 2nd solo album, a wonderfully melancholic evocation of a peaceful shore.

6) ANDREW BIRD “Noble Beast” (Fat Possum / Bella Union)
Not as innovative as previous LP, Noble Beast progressively grows as a nice addition to Mr. Bird’s discography, with evident melodies.

Soap and Skin - Lovetune For VacuumElegi Varde5) SOAP&SKIN “Lovetune For Vacuum” (PIAS)
The cloudy moods of a dark, gifted child from Austria.

4) ELEGI “Varde” (Miasmah Recordings)
Norwegian composer Tommy Jansen imagined a striking soundtrack to Robert Falcon Scott’s tragic 1912 Antarctic expedition.

Patrick Watson - Wooden ArmsGrizzly Bear - VeckatimestDM Stith - Heavy Ghost
3) PATRICK WATSON “Wooden Arms” (Secret City)
A logical follow-up to Close To Paradise, maybe even closer, that reveals its full qualities on stage, where Patrick and his Wooden Arms band excel.

2) GRIZZLY BEAR “Veckatimest” (Warp)
Seemingly more self-confident, the Brooklyn quartet has achieved a big step forward with a luminous 3rd album, which clearly deserves all the critical praise you have read all over.
Listen to Grizzly Bear – Cheerleader (MP3).

1) DM STITH “Heavy Ghost” (Asthmatic Kitty)
New to the singer/songwriter scene, David already distinguishes himself through a deeply personal, touching touch, and luxurious instrumentation. A hauntingly beautiful debut.
Listen to DM Stith – Pity Dance (MP3).

Women first at Point Ephémère this week

My Brightest Diamond – Dragonfly

Shara Worden, whom we’ve heard alongside Sufjan Stevens, before she took her own solo path under the moniker of My Brightest Diamond, feels like a dragonfly and dreams of flying away. Mabe you could help her by attending her Point Ephémère gig in Paris tomorrow, to listen to her crystal-clear yet powerful voice, coupled with nice songwriting skills and a highly endearing personality.

We’re already quite excited about the announcement of A Thousand Shark’s Teeth, her 2nd album to be published on June 17 by Asthmatic Kitty, and for which Shara cites influences from Tricky, Tom Waits and Maurice Ravel, as well as Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s movies and Alice In Wonderland.

Tujiko Noriko – 普通の日 (Dead Earth)

No wonder we are starting to see Tujiko Noriko more and more frequently booked at some of the best Parisian venues, as the Japanese-born singer and composer chose to live in our land of magical baguettes, as one can guess from the TV samples heard in her “Dead Earth“.

For us awaken Earthlings, the fairy Noriko-san will showcase her nursery rhymes, between well-written melodies and sharp experiments, Wednesday April 23rd at the  Point Ephémère, as part of the feminine festival Les Femmes s’en mêlent.