Welcome to The Notebook. Every month explore the new sounds that the Hult Center team and friends are listening to.
Daniel O – Content and Design Coordinator
I never thought I’d hear new music from Hope Of The States and yet, here we are. Their unexpected return, Long Waits in A&E clocks in at 11 minutes and 32 seconds and it’s an amazing, sad, experimental epic. It’s unmistakably Hope Of The States, beautiful and chaotic. Hope Of The States have done something remarkable – they’ve returned from the underworld with a spark. Maybe it will start a fire, maybe not, but it’s certainly something I needed this week. I cannot recommend this song and band more.
Hope Of The States – Long Waits in A&E
Abbey A – Marketing Manager
Hazlett has been in my rotation for quite some time now but I especially love his music when there’s a bit of a chill in the air. This continuation of his release from 2023 consists of 6 tracks that blend a unique indie-folk sound with stunning storytelling. Where the first release (Side A) was softer and more focused on a self-discovery journey, Side B dares to go a bit deeper and darker. Highlights (for me) off this new release are “Shiver” and “The First Train Home” and I highly recommend giving them all a listen!
Hazlett – Goodbye to the Valley Low (Side B)
Joy Oladokun may have one of the most beautiful voices of all time so I had been eagerly anticipating this new album. Observations From A Crowded Room feels like reading the artist’s journal and getting a deep look at her innermost thoughts, struggles and dreams. I think these themes are made even more powerful by the addition of some spoken word segments that are extremely raw and real. This album blends folk, R&B, psychedelic sounds in a seamlessly unique way. The opening track “Letter From a Blackbird” and “Questions, Chaos & Faith” were the highlights off this album for me and will be on repeat for the foreseeable future.
Joy Oladokun – Observations From A Crowded Room
Jim O – The Jazz Station
From its first performance in February of 1965, the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra redefined what a modern jazz big band should sound like. Thad’s music, a combination of Ellington/Strayhorn harmonies and infectious Count Basie-style swing, became the model for composers. And the band, stocked with some of New York’s finest players, was simply amazing.
58 years later, the current version of that band (now known as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra) continues that tradition and celebrates Thad’s centennial with a new live recording of some of his classic pieces. It’s hot, swinging big band music at its finest. No one knows this music better than these players.
Hearing this band play these charts in that venue… The only thing better is being there in person. Until you make it to the Vanguard on a Monday night, check out this recording to hear what a great big band sounds like.
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra – “Centennial: The Music of Thad Jones”
Greg – House of Records
A band of Australian working class louts led by a woman who spits out fierce proclamations and harangues that are both bitter and hysterically funny. Snottier than Courtney Love, an obvious influence, they are reminiscent of modern bands Yard Act and the Sleaford Mods. This is blistering 1977 style punk. Not for the faint of heart, or small dogs.
Amyl & the Sniffers – “Cartoon Darkness”
Another fine entry from the Penrose label. One of the best reconstructions of seventies soul I’ve ever heard, with a perfect mix of groovers and ballads. Singer Josh Lane has a beautiful falsetto that reminds me of Marvin Gaye. This is a group of team players–nobody tries to do too much. They stay out of each other’s way. Even the background vocals are gorgeous.
Thee Sacred Souls – “Got A Story to Tell”
