B Side from p 34 skillset and further building and bolstering their indie rock sound. But in case you’d ever think they’re not about making listeners mope, the band will drop their 10th album, Asphalt Meadows. In case the title wasn’t mildly depressing already, frontman Ben Gibbard said that lead single “Roman Candles” centers on “crippling, existential dread that goes hand in hand with living in a nervous city on a dying planet.” But, hey, at least all that nihilism is super catchy. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cool It Down (September 30) Some fans have been waiting on a new Yeah Yeah Yeahs album since 2009’s generally beloved It’s Blitz! Never mind the fact that the band actually released an album in 2013, the mostly forgettable Mosquito (which, despite how it’s perceived by some fans/listeners, is a mostly good and/or enjoyable LP). But regardless, the trio’s fifth album, Cool It Down, arrives in September, and according to a press release, it eagerly explores what YYYs have been up to in the last decade or so. As evidenced by lead single “Spitting Off The Edge Of The World,” the band ulti- mately feels optimistic, celebrating how young people are “confronting what’s coming with anger and defiance” and how “there’s hope there.” Maybe there’s also hope that we won’t have to wait until mid-2032 for their sixth record. Pixies, Doggerel (September 30) You can basically split the Pixies’ career into two halves. First, there’s everything they did from 1986 to 1993, which includes their most iconic songs/albums. But since the band reunited circa 2004, you could make a strong argument for this latter half also being great, if not entirely legendary. They’ve released a handful of LPs and toured the world several times over, working to extend their careers in a way that honors their status as fabled indie deities. This second arc continues as Pixies release Doggerel, which, as Joey Santiago and Black Francis told Pitchfork, sees the band growing from two-minute jams toward “things that are very big and bold and orchestrated.” Case in point: “There’s a Moon On,” which maintains Pixies’ innate punk vibes but feels grander in its scope and intention. Who said change has to be a bad thing? Lamb of God, Omens (October 7) Almost any band that releases an album this year will still inevitably have a “COVID record” on their hands. For some, that’s meant a chance to experiment; for others, a time to cope through the grief and longing. But Lamb of God have opted for something else with their latest album, Omens. In an interview with Blabbermouth, frontman D. Randall Blythe said it’s a “very pissed-off record,” adding, “The world is crazy and keeps changing.” And it’s likely not just rage they’ve channeled either, as the band recorded at the same studio that gave us Joni Mitchell’s Blue and The Doors’ Full Circle. With that blend of ideas and energies, it’ll be interesting to see what bloody magic Lamb of God have managed to summon this time. Courtney Marie Andrews, Loose Future (October 7) Courtney Marie Andrews continues to be a rare talent among our city’s talent roster. With 2020’s Old Flowers, she not only raised her personal profile, but snagged a Grammy nomination to boot. Andrews will now further her ascension toward greatness with the release of Loose Future. The 10-track album was not only produced by Sam Evian ( Big Thief and Cassandra Jenkins) but also features guest spots from Josh Kaufman and Grizzly Bear’s own Chris Bear. Lead single “Satellite” is a great first clue that Andrews is building toward something big. Not only in terms of the overall quality, but with the addition of synths, and by steering away from her usual “heartbreak-tinged” love songs, Andrews has become a formidable talent of breathtaking folk-pop. Wherever she goes, Phoenix is certainly glad to count her as our own. Black Caesar Soul Club, Untitled (Fall 2022) Phoenix’s own Black Caesar Soul Club have only been operating together for a few years. Then, factor in COVID-related shut- downs and whatnot, and they’ve only been regularly playing for much less. But that hasn’t stopped them at all, as the duo have been bounding between clubs across the Valley to perfect their blistering, sweat- soaked take on blues, funk, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. That lively formula has translated to great recordings as well; April’s Propers EP proved to be four tracks that encapsu- lated what makes BCSC such a powerful and dynamic young band as they continued to coalesce as a duo. But they’re also more than willing to experiment, and an EP from later this fall will feature more deliberate, methodical “slow songs.” Whatever the pace and tempo, though, it’ll likely knock your socks off. The Darts, Snake Oil (Tentative 2022) All in all, The Darts have had a pretty good year. They’ve played heaps of shows across Arizona and beyond. They were the only local band to appear at the start-studded Punk in Drublic tour stop back in the spring. And their latest EP, April’s Love Tsunami, was a shot in the arm of fiery punk rock. Now, the band could cap off the rest of the year by releasing a proper full- length, Snake Oil. So far, our only tidbit of info from the record is the actual title and a recent local performance of the title track. But, oh, what a performance, as the band unfurl a sleek, slightly sensuous punk jam that feels very much in the vein of the Love Tsunami tracks. Whatever comes of the actual album, or whenever it arrives, it should be more than enough proof that The Darts are already a local institution primed for their big break. 37 phoenixnewtimes.com | CONTENTS | FEEDBACK | OPINION | NEWS | FEATURE | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | PHOENIX NEW TIMES JUNE 30TH–JULY 6TH, 2022
