With so much good music being released all the time, it can be hard to determine what to listen to first. Every week, Pitchfork offers a run-down of significant new releases available on streaming services. This week’s batch includes new albums and EPs from CHAI, Stephen Malkmus, Koffee, Karen O and Danger Mouse, Matmos, and Maxo. Subscribe to Pitchfork’s New Music Friday newsletter to get our recommendations in your inbox every week.
PUNK is the sophomore album from Japanese rock quartet CHAI. “‘PUNK’ for us, of course, is not the genre of music,” the band said in a statement. “‘PUNK’ to us is to overturn the worn-out values associated with ‘kawaii’ or ‘cute’ created up to this point. ‘PUNK’ is a word that expresses a strong sense of self. To be yourself more, to become the person you truly want to be, to believe in yourself in every instance!”
Check out Pitchfork’s track review of “Fashionista” and read the Rising feature “Meet Chai, the Eclectic Japanese Rock Band Redefining What It Means to Be Cute.”
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Stephen Malkmus: Groove Denied [Matador]
Stephen Malkmus’ long-rumored electronic album was allegedly rejected by his record label, thus spawning the title Groove Denied. Malkmus’ groove, however, is no longer denied! The 10-track LP is his first solo effort since his 2001 self-titled record. Watch Malkmus’ music video for lead single “Viktor Borgia.”
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Koffee: Rapture EP [Columbia]
Rapture marks the debut EP from Jamaican reggae artist Mikayla “Koffee” Simpson. Check out Pitchfork’s track review of “Throne” and watch her music video for “Toast.”
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Karen O / Danger Mouse: Lux Prima [BMG]
Lux Prima is the debut collaboration between Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O and Danger Mouse. Next month (April 18-21), they will premiere a “multisensory art installation” at Los Angeles’ Marciano Art Foundation called “An Encounter with Lux Prima.” In a statement, Karen O said, “Danger Mouse and I wrote this music purely out of artistic exploration and the spirit of collaboration.” She added, “The music was calling out for an extraordinary presentation, one that brings people together in a heightened state of listening. It’s gonna be a trip!”
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Matmos: Plastic Anniversary [Thrill Jockey]
Matmos’ Plastic Anniversary is a celebration of M.C. Schmidt and Drew Daniel’s 25th year together as a couple. The album also explores the world’s relationship to plastic and was recorded using only sounds derived from plastic objects. Plastic Anniversary follows Matmos’ 2016s LP Ultimate Care II.
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Maxo: LIL BIG MAN EP [Def Jam]
The LIL BIG MAN EP marks Maxo’s first major label release. The Los Angeles-based rapper shared singles “In My Penny’s” and “Time” ahead of the EP’s release.
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https://pitchfork.com/news/6-albums-out-today-you-should-listen-to-now-chai-stephen-malkmus-koffee-and-more
