White Crate — May 21, 2021
New albums from Late Aster, Marinero, and Ohr; a couple new singles by Kehlani and Sugar Candy Mountain; and an intro to Alban Berg from the San Francisco Symphony
Happy six month anniversary to White Crate! This edition is a bit lighter than usual—and I don’t have much news to share—so I just want to say thank you for subscribing and reading these weekly digests of all the best new music in the Bay Area. If you have any feedback or want to share new music I may have missed, please don’t hesitate to hit “reply” and send me a note. I would love to hear from you 💖
Peace,
ronny
THAT NEW NEW
Late Aster, a collaboration between two musicians in SF and two in Brooklyn, today released their debut EP, True and Toxic. Described as “a collection of musical sketches on the modern human condition,” the album brings together voice, brass instruments, synthesizers, guitar, and drums in a gorgeous tapestry of electronic jazz. (h/t Datebook)
Featured on Bandcamp’s New & Notable and rated highly on Allmusic, HELLA LOVE is the debut album from Marinero. With tracks like “Through the Fog,” “Minuet for the Mission,” “Isle of Alcatraz,” and “Frisco Ball,” the album is a love letter to San Francisco from Mexican-American bandleader Jess Sylvester, who recently relocated to Los Angeles.
Adapter, the new album from Berkeley producer Ohr, was also featured on Bandcamp’s New & Notable: “Under his new moniker, Ohr, George Cory Todd draws on minimalist IDM and dreamy synth experimentation to create vibrant soundscapes.”
COUPLE NEW SINGLES
The new single “Back Together” by LA artist Amorphous features Kehlani, who also sang on recent singles by rapper Lil Durk and R&B singer-songwriter Pink Sweat$.
Oakland psych pop band Sugar Candy Mountain released “Please Don’t Look Away,” the third single from their upcoming album Impression, due out next week.
MAYBE MISSED
Nothing makes me quite as happy as hearing that the SF Symphony reopened for live performances this month. But until I make it to a show, I’ll listen to this.
Recorded between 2015 and 2018 but just released in February, this new album by Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony features violinist Gil Shaham and soprano Susanna Phillips performing three works by early 20th century composer Alban Berg. Allmusic writes that the album “adds to Tilson Thomas' record of accomplishment in retirement and would make a fine introduction to Berg.”
SHUFFLE ON
If you ever want to press play on the growing list of artists covered on White Crate, follow this Spotify playlist. Shuffle and crossfade recommended!