Lord, Clips, Sudan Archives
This winter's contemporary music show program has something for everyone. Those looking for ambiance should look no further than the sound design pioneer. Suzanne Ciani in St. Ann & the Holy Trinity, where the accomplished composer will improvise on his modular synthesizer inside a large cathedral (December 6). Next week, indie pop instrumentalist Jay Som unveils his first album in six years, “Belong”, in Warsaw (December 11). Producer and performer Kate Le Bon leans on the last of her musical chops at Irving Plaza, her amorphous indie rock dreamier than ever (December 16). Anyone looking for edgier tunes should give the post-punk band a try. Dry cleaning, who play Brooklyn Steel on January 29th. For something more ethereal and brooding, there are Haunted People Marissa Nadler, which is as eerie and ghostly as it is beautiful (Le Poisson Rouge, February 18).
“This is also the season for thick, long-winded rappers. On December 1, the child prodigy became an experienced grandmaster. Earl sweatshirt brings the newfound wisdom of fatherhood to Terminal 5. Elsewhere features three of indie rap's most underrated figures, a rambunctious weirdo $ilkmani, deadpan lyricist What Chris, and the eccentric Virginian Fly Anakin join forces (December 7). Duet Clip, Two brothers living just down the Virginia Turnpike, fresh off the runaway success of their comeback album, Let God Sort Em Out, unload a metric ton of coke bars at the Brooklyn Paramount on December 30th.
The new year will see several R&B artists blossom with their distinctly updated styles. Violinist Britney Parks performs as her experimental project. Sudanese archives, presents new cybernated dance-centric album “The BPM” at Webster Hall (January 29). Singer Mariah the Scientist pushes the sleek, shiny eighties touchstones apart for “Hearts Sold Separately” (Radio City Music Hall; February 27). In Brooklyn Steel, Amber Mark takes an even sunnier place with her soft release “Pretty Idea” (March 4-5).
In February, American progressives conquer Manhattan with new albums. February 13 Awarded Alt-Country Singer-Songwriter Brandi Carlile embarks on the Human Tour in support of “Returning to Myself” at Madison Square Garden. 19th, roots fusionist Margo Price revisits the sound of her early “Hard Headed Woman” recordings at Webster Hall. 20th, Jason Isbell goes into the acoustic world of “Foxes in the Snow” at Radio City Music Hall.
Meanwhile, the pop scene welcomes stars to carve out their niches. In the Hammerstein Ballroom Halsey celebrates the tenth anniversary of his debut album “Badlands” (December 13-15). December 16-17 Lord stops in the city again on his world ultrasound tour, this time stopping at the American leg at the Barclays Center. And at the Brooklyn Paramount JADEformer member of British girl group Little Mix, reborn as a solo star questioning the very concept of show business (February 19).— Sheldon Pierce
