Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

New Music Monday: Wilco

new music monday wilco
Wilco Star Wars ArtLast Thursday Wilco returned to the world of studio music with their latest album, Star Wars (named for an obscure science fiction film from the ’70s rather than the Reagan-era program). Released without any fanfare or promotional lead up, the album was made available on Wilco’s site for free (for the next month) and is currently streaming on all of the major services.

“EKG,” the album’s opening track, sets the tone for what’s to come with its noisy guitars. The song transitions into “More…,” which seems placed to remind the listener that you are, in fact, listening to a Wilco album. The guitars are fuzzy, but they’re playing distinct riffs and drop out for the chorus. That is until a wave of noise overtakes the track. “Random Name Generator” is heavy on the guitar riffs, contributing to the feeling that this is Wilco’s take on a rock record.

Related Videos
Wilco - "Star Wars" (Full Album Stream)

Tracks like the beautiful album centerpiece “You Satellite” pull the rug out from under that idea. Rather than come galloping out, the song is a slow burn that gradually builds towards a wall of noise. Closing track “Magnetized” moves further away from the rock vibe. The track neither gallops nor burns so much as saunters through its 3:40.

You Satellite

Wilco have come back to the study with the confidence and clarity of a group of their pedigree. Star Wars is the sound of a band at ease with itself, doing what it does best. The more rock influences meld beautifully into Jeff Tweedy’s pop sensibilities and the band’s noisier side.

Star Wars is available free digitally on Amazon, iTunes, and WilcoWorld.net. CD and Vinyl preorders are available through the official preorder store.

Wilco - Pickled Ginger @ Pitchfork Music Festival 17 July 2015, Union Park, Chicago, IL

Editors' Recommendations

New Music Monday: Heron Oblivion
new music monday heron oblivion

Heron Oblivion released their self-titled debut on Sub Pop last Friday, but don't let that fool you into thinking the band's members aren't veterans. Singer-drummer Meg Baird, who has released music with Espers and under her own name as well, has a light, ghostly voice while the rest of the line-up features experienced psych rock players Noel Von Harmonson and Ethan Miller of Comets on Fire and Charlie Saufle of Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound. It's an unusual pairing to say the least, and prospective listeners could be forgiven for thinking the two sounds don't work together. Those skeptics would be wrong, however.

Rather than simply mashing together Baird's vocals over fuzzed out psych rock, Heron Oblivion judiciously combine the two. At times Baird leads the album's songs with her vocal melodies, while at other times she allows the wah wah pedals to take the lead. What makes this work so well—why the instruments and vocals don't simply sound mashed together—is Baird's impressive ability to control the tone of her voice. On many of Heron Oblivion's songs, Baird's voice is reminiscent of Sandy Denny's, hinting at inspiration from the British folk revival. That sound comes across strongest in lead single, "Oriar." The song begins aggressively, but the fuzz quickly subsides as Baird begins to sing.

Read more
New Music Monday: Mount Moriah
new music monday mount moriah 2 mt

Mount Moriah will release their third record, How to Dance, through Merge Records on February 26, 2016. The album  sees the North Carolina-based band examine territory explored on their first two records in new detail and with new perspectives. Questions of religion and faith form a thread listeners can follow from the band's self-titled debut through their sophomore record, Miracle Temple, and now to How to Dance.

How to Dance feels like the next section of a single story that began with Mount Moriah and continued through Miracle Temple. The record deals in the same themes as its predecessors, but with new a new perspective, shifting the way the older albums appear in hindsight.

Read more
New Music Monday: The James Hunter Six
James Hunter six

Last Friday James Hunter released Hold On!, his latest record with The James Hunter Six, through Daptone Records. Hold On! is Hunter's first release with Daptone (though his fourth full-length), which may come as a surprise to those familiar with the artist and label. Hunter and his band play a unique brand of classic soul music that feels at home with the music of Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones.

After working with Van Morrison,  his success on the Billboard charts, and Grammy nominations, fans might have expected Hunter to take it easy on the new record. Nothing could be farther from the truth, however, and Hold On! finds Hunter at the peak of his game. Early single "(Baby) Hold On," album opener "If That Don't Tell You," and the bouncing "Stranded" are all lively tracks that pulse with energy. Kinetic songs like these are what Hunter and his band have become renowned for, and all three are standout tracks.

Read more