okay, here’s some new music that will rock your world.

First and foremost, the delectable Swedish singer/songwriter Jenny Wilson has an album coming out in Europe this February called Hardships and the first single off of it is called “The Wooden Chair” here’s a link to her myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/goldmedalrecordings

Secondly, you know that redhead that all of us Ithacans drool over? (once she gave me a hug..I haven’t bathed since..) Well obviously I’m talking about Neko Case, whose fifth proper full length will be unveiled on March 3rd and is entitled Middle Cyclone. Not to mention the kick ass album art, this album take off where Fox Confessor leaves off and is full of dark imagery and wisdom, you know..like most Neko related things.. Check out Neko’s new song “People Got A Lotta Nerve“.

(and get this…everytime that link is posted on a blog, Neko’s peep’s are donating 5 bucks to the Best Friends Animal Society!..how nice of them.)

Speakin’ of people who have played at State Theatre, let’s chat about Andrew Bird’s new one that he’s named Noble Beast. I can’t say I’d use either words to describe Bird or his sound- but I can say the new album is tight. It drops next Tuesday and will feature many of the songs you heard Andrew rattle through this past fall. You know what’s cool- you can head on over to his Myspace right now and stream the whole album, if you like it go buy it..if not..well forget it exists!

Also coming out on Tuesday, and in my mind it’s FAR superior then anything Andrew Bird is capable of, is Lisa Hannigan’s solo debut, Sea Sew. I picked this one up in Europe, as it’s been out for months internationally, and it blows me away everytime. In case you’re unaware, Lisa is the female voice in all of those really really good Damien Rice songs *cough*he’s nothing without her*cough, songs such as: “9 Crimes”, “the Blower’s Daughter”, and “I Remember”. Check out some clips here.

Psych folk fans rejoice! Vetiver’s Tight Knit will be out on Feb. 17, via Subpop, and will be everything you expect in a Vetiver album and more. Great vocals, poppy crunchy guitar melodies, calming beats, and probably a collab or two from fellow folkers. Right now the Vetiver camp is touring with 2008 champions Fleet Foxes- word on the street is if you preorder Tight Knit you can stream the whole thing. If not, go try a sample or two here.

And while we’re on the topic of folk music, holy crap, i need to schpeal about Alela Diane. Hailing from Nevada City (the same town as Joanna Newsom, holla!), Alela is a folk fan’s wet dream. Her sophomore album, To Be Still, will be out on February 17th, and is a follow up from her critically acclaimed Pirate’s Gospel. I can’t adequately describe her voice so I won’t try. But please please check her out here. She’s playing at Rochester’s Bug Jar with Blitzen Trapper in February as well..let’s carpool!

Lily Allen’s sophomore, It’s not me it’s you, will be coming out February 10th, and is a such anticipated follow up from Allen’s debut, Alright, Still. Since then the 20 something year old singer has been really really busy having a badly rated talk show, partying, being gossiped about, fighting Katy Perry (probably for press), partying, and maybe playing a show or two. To me, it kind of just sounds like a British Perry (no wonder the two fight like dogs)…and betwixt the two of us, the release date was pushed to 2009, despite being done in the fall, because the record execs didn’t want to have to go up against Perry’s album..hmmmm. Check out Allen’s first single “The Fear” on her myspace.

okay, that’s it for now. my fingers are cramping..