Top Songs of the Week: June 9th, 2023
+ Fountains of Wayne's Welcome Interstate Managers turns 20!
Another big new music week! Let’s dig into the top tracks:
1️⃣ Ratboys - "It's Alive!" 🪟 This week the Chicago indie rockers announced their fourth studio album The Window, out August 25 via Topshelf Records. They recorded it in Seattle with former Death Cab For Cutie member Chris Walla. Their last full length record, Printers Devil, came out way back in February 2020. The track “Anj” landed on my 2020: 💯 Favorite songs playlist. This new one is an instant favorite too and oh, it’s alive.
They’re touring the US later this year and have some sweet vinyl options up for pre-order.
2️⃣ Jenny Lewis - “Balcony” 🎧 Bless! Today marks the release of Jenny Lewis's lovely fifth solo album, Joy'All. She recently sat down for an incredible conversation with none other than PONY, who have also released one of my favorite albums this year. Head over to Northern Transmissions to read!
3️⃣ Christine and the Queens - “A day in the water” 🌊 This is such a lovely synth pop ballad. Their album three-part album PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE is also out today - yeah it’s a massive release day! Check out his live version from a recent Vevo session.
4️⃣ Sharon Van Etten - "Quiet Eyes" 👀 SVE can do no wrong. This beautiful track, performed with Zachary Dawes, is featured on the Past Lives soundtrack, which features a score by Christopher Bear and Daniel Rossen from Grizzly Bear.
5️⃣ Alan Palomo - "Stay-At-Home-DJ" 🏠 Neon Indian, now going by his real name, Alan Palomo, is back! This week he announced World Of Hassle dropping on September 15 via Mom+Pop. And let's take a moment to appreciate this album cover below. I am a little upset I didn't come up with Pink Droyd.
6️⃣ Romy - "Loveher" ❤️💃 Mid Air, the debut solo album from this member of The xx, was announced this week! This track continues the dance pop trend of “Enjoy Your Life” which I still can't get enough of. This album is out 9/8 via Young. Pre-order the pink vinyl over at Bandcamp.
7️⃣ Drab Majesty featuring Rachel Goswell - "Vanity" 🖤 Prepare to be swept away by this nearly 6 minute goth ballad featuring Slowdive's Rachel Goswell. Look out for their new EP, An Object In Motion, arriving on August 25 via Dais. The cloudy red vinyl is nearly sold out but there are a few options over on their Bandcamp.
Fountains of Wayne’s Welcome Interstate Managers turns 20! 🎉
The hype sticker on my vinyl says “one of the greatest power pop albums of all time” and it’s not wrong. This is a record I didn’t appreciate until much later after it was released. I was familiar with Stacy’s Mom, because it was all over MTV & the radio. That song slaps. But of course, this band and this album are so much more than that. If you’re only familiar with that song, find the time to dive into their discography and you’ll realize what great song writers they were.
There’s so many good songs on this record. I’ve included the album opener “Mexican Wine” on my 2003: 💯 Favorite Songs playlist. I originally had “Valley Winter Song” but since it’s nearly summer, it didn’t feel right.
And since I’m not much of a writer myself, I’ll leave it to the pros. Treat yourself to reading this wonderful Stereogum piece about this record, written by one of my favorite writers Annie Zaleski.
And after that, go listen to this weeks episode of the *In Sync podcast where hosts Rachel Brodsky and Aviv Rubinstein discuss my favorite movie That Thing You Do! How is this related? The late Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne wrote the song played by the band The Wonders in the movie.
That’s all I got.
- Patrick