BY: JOEY REAMS
On Fridays, the world is blessed with new music from a handful of artists. To help you find your next favorite album, we’ve discovered what new alternative and indie albums have been released. This week’s notable artists include Julia Stone, Sharen Van Etten, and Josh Radnor (also known as Ted Mosby, from How I Met Your Mother). Check out the list below:
Josh Radnor – One More Time Then I’ll Let You Go
Actor and musician Josh Radnor, famously known for his role as Ted Mosby from the TV show How I Met Your Mother, has released his first solo album, One More Then I’ll Let You Go via Flower Moon Records. This isn’t the actors first time releasing music, however. Radnor is one-half of the musical group Radnor and Lee, with Australian indie-pop musician Ben Lee.
“I wrote ‘The High Road’ during a low point,” Radnor told Rolling Stone. “I was stuck in a huge resentment against someone and couldn’t move past it. The song is about how hard it can be to authentically forgive.”
Paul McCartney – McCartney III Imagined
Paul McCartney, the legendary Beatles guitarist, has released McCartney III Imagined via Capitol Records. This album is a twist on the original record released only four months ago, featuring Beck, St. Vincent, and Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age. Every song on the album has some remix or reinvention to it.
“Personally curated by Paul, McCartney III Imagined features an A-List assortment of friends, fans and brand new acquaintances, each covering and/or reimagining their favorite McCartney III moments in their own signature styles,” reads the press release. “The result is a kaleidoscopic reinterpretation of an album Rolling Stone accurately tagged “an inspiration to us all”—one that serves as an extension of the instantly beloved McCartney III while standing on its own as a brilliant and adventurous milestone in the McCartney discography. “
Sharon Van Etten – Epic Ten
Sharon Van Etten has finally released epic Ten to celebrate the tenth anniversary of epic, her sophomore. This rerelease features the original record and a cover album, which will feature a handful of covers from Courtney Barnett, Fiona Apple, and IDLES. On top of that, fans can check out epic Ten: the documentary and concert, a documentary that will benefit the Los Angeles venue Zebulon and feature Etten performing epic in its entirety.
“epic represents a crossroads for me as an artist,” she said in a recent press statement, “going from intern to artist at Ba Da Bing [Records], from solo folk singer to playing with a band for the first time and beginning to play shows on tour where people showed up.”
Honorable Mentions:
This week, alternative and indie fans were limited with new releases. Fortunately for them, we have a couple of honorable mentions. These records aren’t technically considered alternative or indie, but we feel like those fans would also appreciate these albums. Hopefully, next week we will have more alternative and indie rock releases.
Greta Van Fleet – The Battle at Garden’s Gate
Greta Van Fleet, the hard rock band that is revitalizing classic rock, has released their second studio album, The Battle at Garden’s Gate. If you’re a fan of Led Zeppelin, you will definitely be a fan of this band. The first single from this album, “My Way, Soon,” topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in January 2021.
“It’s very dynamic, lyrically speaking,” lead singer Josh Kiszka said. “And that’s the human experience. It’s much more than pain or fear; it’s also beauty. People need people, and love is important. There was a lot of self-evolution happening during the writing of this album that was prompted by experiences I had, experiences we all had, so a lot of contemplation occurred.”
The Offspring – Let the Bad Times Roll
Finally, we have alternative punk rock veterans The Offspring releasing their tenth studio album, Let the Bad Times Roll, their first record with Concord Records. This album was intended to be released last year, but the pandemic forced its postponement. On top of that, this album will feature Todd Morse, who replaces original bassist Greg K. in 2019. Fans of The Offspring haven’t heard a new album since 2012’s Days Go By.
“Folks are saying, ‘If it’s all going to Hell, we might as well make the most out of it, or at least go out swinging,’ ” says guitarist Noodles. “Let The Bad Times Roll!”