Escapism rules this new music Friday

We know it’s not technically Fall (the 90+ degree weather proves that), but something about school being back in session makes us feel like it is. 

LOCAL

Thin Truk - Tell Me I’m Pretty

Thin Truk mashes all of the genres they’ve dabbled in with remarkable effectiveness on “Tell Me I’m Pretty.” This sweet three-track record keeps us on our toes as we wait to see what will come next. Will it be screaming? Will it be rapping? Will it be singing? Who knows, but we look forward to any option Missoula’s musical darling chooses.

Tell Me I'm Pretty by Thin Truk, released 19 August 2020 1. Drive Depressed 2. #WITCHESNSHIT 3. Way Too Alone 3 tracks. Sending you Smoochies wherever you may be<3

ALBUMS

The Front Bottoms - In Sickness and in Flames

Catch us eating our words, because we thought this record was actually going to be super bad. The Front Bottoms impress us with a record that doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard, while also ensuring us that the band cares. The energy stays high, moshing through songs about anxiety, love, heartbreak, and the desire to remain a kid forever. 

The Killers - Imploding The Mirage

The Killers play with new sounds (think honky-tonk bars and jazz lounges) while remaining firmly in their “I’m going to smile through an apocalypse” vibe. Each track feels different than the last and meets expectations we didn’t even know we had. 

Will Johnson - El Capitan

“El Capitan” is raw, so raw that if we listened too hard we might never stop. It’s soft and moving, and never feels like it’s got something to prove. Will Johnson slows down every moment, giving us every opportunity to let this record wash over us. 

El Capitàn by Will Johnson, released 07 August 2020 1. Teruel 2. Los Cuervos 3. Goodbye, Absecon 4. Bloody Boxer 5. El Capitàn 6. Bricks To Block The Raid 7. I Am Back At The Window Again 8. Dear To The Assassin 9. Trouble 10. Ocean/Sea 11. Inclined 12. St.

Kate Bollinger - A Word Becomes A Sound

Kate Bollinger is jazzy without being jazz, and smooth without being one-note. That’s an accomplishment in of itself, and when we combine that with her lush voice, it’s hard to find a fault in this debut album.

A word becomes a sound by Kate Bollinger, released 21 August 2020 1. A Couple Things 2. Grey Skies 3. Feel Like Doing Nothing 4. A word becomes a sound 5. Queen To Nobody For Kate Bollinger, knowing how to articulate exactly what she means would take a seemingly unattainable level of communicational prowess.

SINGLES

Pynkie - Personality

This is one of the first songs in a while that is truly and unexpectedly good. It’s enthralling, with a rhythm that feels reliable while taking us through a whole new soundscape of joy and tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

Personality by PYNKIE, released 16 October 2020 Have you seen it all? Highly doubt it Have you seen my face in the dark yet? Will I find you out?

Riley Pearce - Statue

“Yea, being hyped up is great, but what about low-key tracks?” We hear you, and offer you Riley Pearce. “Statue” is low-key without being low-energy. The individual bits of this track, including new instrumentation and honest vocals, meld together to create something that feels mellow without sounding like it. 

snny - Postmodern Black

Is the world feeling a little too heavy right now? First week back in classes making your anxiety go through the roof? Us too. But we can tell you that dancing around to this song with the volume up and the lights down help us feel like the world isn’t all bad. Maybe it’ll be a moment of relief for you too. 

Postmodern Black by snny, released 05 August 2020 Fixing a broken bridge To somewhere far A distant dream It's quite the illusion Making a mess of love A valentine With golden wings Oh what a fusion Look at me walk Im not afraid of the way it goes It could

Assembled by music director Meghan Jonas.