Terence Praet
Terence Praet contributes to The Manual’s New Music Monday column. He studied Philosophy and History at Skidmore College, where he was also the music director at the school’s radio station. He has worked in the music industry since graduation. Though he became a Portland, Oregon resident in 2014, Terence is a proud New Jersey native. He can often be found singing along to Bruce Springsteen songs and roaming the streets of Portland in search of Taylor Ham.
New Music Preview: Bob Moses, The Chills, and Cypress Hill
September has plenty of new album releases in store, but there are three particular records coming out this month that we can’t wait to hear: 'Battle Lines' by Bob Moses, 'Snow Bound' by The Chills, and 'Elephants on Acid' by Cypress Hill.
New Music Preview: Blood Orange, Ohmme, and Wild Nothing
August has plenty of new album releases in store, but there are three particular records coming out this month that we can’t wait to hear: "Negro Swan" by Blood Orange, "Pars" by Ohmme, and "Indigo" by Wild Nothing.
New Music Preview: Dirty Projectors, The Internet, and Ty Segall & White Fence
July 2018 has plenty of new record drops in store, but there are three particular albums coming out this month that we can’t wait to hear. Here's a preview of our most-anticipated releases: 'Lamp Lit Prose' by Dirty Projectors, 'Hive Mind' by The Internet, and 'Joy' by Ty Segall & White Fence.
New Music Preview: Kamasi Washington, Neko Case, and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
What are we listening to this month? The new albums from groundbreaking saxophonist Kamasi Washington and indie rock star and New Pornographer Neko Case, plus the must hear debut full-length from Australia's Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever.
New Music Preview: Courtney Barnett, Leon Bridges, and Jon Hopkins
May has plenty of new record drops in store, but there are three particular albums coming out this month that we can’t wait to hear. Here's a preview of our most-anticipated releases: Courtney Barnett's 'Tell Me How You Really Feel,' Leon Bridges' 'Good Thing,' and 'Singularity' by Jon Hopkins.
New Music Preview: Willie Nelson, Janelle Monáe, and Twin Shadow
April has plenty of new record drops in store, but there are three particular albums coming out this month that we can’t wait to hear. Here's a preview of the anticipated releases from Willie Nelson, Janelle Monáe, and Twin Shadow.
New Music Preview: Jack White, The Breeders, and Seun Kuti
March 2018 has plenty of new album releases lined up, but the three we're most excited about are records from Jack White, The Breeders, and Seun Kuti & Egypt 80.
New Music Preview: Franz Ferdinand, Belle and Sebastian, and Brandi Carlile
February 2018 has plenty of new album releases lined up, but the three we're most excited about are records from Franz Ferdinand, Belle and Sebastian, and Brandi Carlile.
Sofar Sounds Brings the Magic Back to Live Music with Secret Concerts
Frustrated by the experience of going to a modern concert venue? Sofar Sounds organizes intimate shows with focused audiences around the globe.
New Music Preview: Calexico, Cadence Weapon, and First Aid Kit
January 2018 has plenty of new album releases lined up, but the three we're most excited about are records from Calexico, Cadence Weapon, and First Aid Kit.
Our Picks for the Best Albums of 2017
As 2017 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back at the standout records released over the year. Here are The Manual's best albums of 2017.
New Music Preview: Mavis Staples, Morrissey, and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
The three most exciting records of November 2017 are coming from Mavis Staples, Morrissey, and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.
The Replacements’ Newest Album is a Blast from the Past
'For Sale: Live at Maxwell's 1986' captures an amazing performance from The Replacements — the first time the concert is available in high quality audio.
Cold Specks Opens Up on Her Third Album, ‘Fool’s Paradise’
On Cold Speck's third album, 'Fool's Paradise,' Somali-Canadian artist Ladan Hussein constructs a new sound from the elements of her previous two LPs.
We’re Dancing in Defiance with Antibalas’ New Album, ‘Where the Gods Are in Peace’
"Where the Gods Are in Peace," the second album from Antibalas on Daptone Records, encourages listeners to stand up against exploitation and displacement.
Heart, Humor, and Punk Rock on A Giant Dog’s Latest Album ‘Toy’
A Giant Dog's fourth album, Toy (Merge), finds the quintet honing its sound into brief but but boisterous gems filled with humor and genuine emotion.
Kesha’s New Album, Rainbow, is a Seriously Fun Statement of Self-Empowerment
Kesha's new album, 'Rainbow,' finds her flexing creatively and dipping into a variety of styles with guests like Eagles of Death Metal and The Dap-Kings.
Indie Rock Trio, Rainer Maria, Returns after Eleven Years with the Blazing and Brilliant ‘S/T’
Indie rock/emo trio Rainer Maria reunites for 'S/T' (Polyvinyl), its first album in eleven years, following a the band's 2006 break-up.
Broken Social Scene Returns from Hiatus with ‘Hug of Thunder’
Hug of Thunder, Broken Social Scene's first album since 2010, finds the group's music as bright as ever. Have a listen here.
Lollapalooza 2017: Our Must See Artists
Lollapalooza 2017 happens August 3-6. Check out The Manual's list of the top five must See artists for Chicago's biggest summer music festival.
Waxahatchee’s Fourth Album, ‘Out in the Storm,’ Finds Katie Crutchfield Reawakened
Katie Crutchfield reflects on the aftermath of a failed relationship on Waxahatchee's fourth album, Out in the Storm (Merge Records)
Olivia Chaney & The Decemberists Celebrate Traditional British Folk Music As Offa Rex
Olivia Chaney and The Decemberists join forces as Offa Rex and bring a touch of psychedelia to traditional British folk music.
Bedouine Fills Her Self-Titled Debut With Laurel Canyon-esque Country-Folk
Bedouine, AKA Azniv Korkejian's country-folk music is informed by her nomadic childhood from Aleppo, Syria to Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, and finally LA.
Lorde’s New Album is a Sober Reflection on Fame and Success
Lorde follows up her debut full-length with 'Melodrama' (Universal Music), a danceable reflection on her newfound status as a "royal."
Portugal. The Man’s Eighth Album “Woodstock” Adds More Pop Influence to the Mix
Portugal. The Man's new album finds the band adding a new Top 40 element to its psych pop-rock sound and featuring a variety of sounds and guests.
Fleet Foxes Take a Successful, Proggy Turn on Their Third Album, ‘Crack-Up’
Fleet Foxes third album, titled 'Crack-Up' and released on June 16—finds Robin Pecknold and co. making an introspective and proggy turn to great success.
Music: Big Thief Digs Deeper into Darkness to Find a Brighter Light on ‘Capacity’
Big Thief's sophomore album, 'Capacity' (Saddle Creek), is an intimate exploration of turning pain and trauma into joy and love.
New Music: Tanzania Albinism Collective
In African, those with Albinism are often killed for their body parts considered magical. The Tanzania Albinism Collective offers them refuge through song.
Argentine Juana Molina’s Album ‘Halo’ Draws Universal Rhythms from Our Collective Unconscious
On her seventh album, Juana Molina uses hypnotic rhythms, timbral explorations, and electronics to create a deeply human album.
David Byrne-Founded Label Releases ‘The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda’
Luaka Bop, in collaboration with Alice Coltrane's children, has curated a collection of the late musician's spiritual music.
Charly Bliss’ Debut Album “Guppy” Could be Called “Fun Songs About Self-Loathing to Dance Around To”
Charly Bliss combines raucous guitars with infectious melodies and upbeat vocals into an energetic, 10-track debut album.
Robyn Hitchcock’s Eponymous 21st Album is an “Ecstatic Work of Negativity”
Robyn Hitchcock's first self-titled album in twenty-one records is an "ecstatic work of negativity" that incorporates influences from across his career.
Father John Misty Takes On the World on ‘Pure Comedy’
Pure Comedy finds Josh Tillman, as Father John Misty, using the contradictions in his work to take on the world, and he does it exceedingly well.
The New Pornographers’ New Album is a Standout Work of Fun and Thoughtful Power Pop
'Whiteout Conditions,' the seventh album from The New Pornographers, finds the band continuing to create delightful and often insightful pop music.
Spoon Heads Down New Sonic Paths on its Ninth Album
Spoon's ninth album, "Hot Thoughts," finds the band expanding its sound more than any other time in its two decade-long career.
Fleet Foxes First Song From the Forthcoming ‘Crack-Up’ Finds the Band in Fine Form
Fans of Fleet Foxes will be pleased to find the first song released from the band's forthcoming third album, 'Crack-Up,' picks up from the band left off.
Jay Som’s ‘Everybody Works’ Is a Brilliant Piece of Bedroom Pop
Hear Jay Som explore myriad genres on her first proper album and bedroom pop opus, 'Everybody Works' (Polyvinyl Records).
Rhiannon Giddens Walks the Length of Freedom Highway
Rhiannon Giddens' ambitious second solo album, Freedom Highway, presents music based on "slave narratives from the 1800s, African American experiences of the last century, the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s and headlines from streets of Ferguson and Baltimore today."
Experimental Pop Band Aquaserge Combines Dance Music Grooves with Free Jazz-influenced Improvisation
Aquaserge tinkers with dance music rhythms to create the "as-of-yet uncharted dances" on 'Laisse ça être' (Crammed Discs).
Sallie Ford Confronts Depression on Her Confessional Album “Soul Sick”
Soul Sick, Sallie Ford's appropriately titled second solo (fourth overall) album sees the Portland musician confronting depression and loss.
Lula Pena Looks for Hidden Truth in “The Simplicity of Voice and Strings and a Resonant Body”
Singing the words of many authors in half a dozen languages, Lula Pena looks for hidden truth in "the simplicity of voice and strings and a resonant body."
Avec le Soleil Sortant de sa Bouche’s Sophomore Album, “Pas pire pop, I Love You so Much” is a Krautrock Odyssey
Avec le soleil sortant de sa bouche's sophomore album, 'Pas pire pop, I Love You so Much' (Constellation Records), is a krautrock odyssey.
Japandroids Release Their Triumphant Third Album, ‘Near to the Wild Heart of Life’
Japandroids channel James Joyce and Clarice Lispector on their triumphant third full-length album, 'Near to the Wild Heart of Life'
Charlie Cunningham Lines
'Lines,' Charlie Cunningham's first full-length album, is delicate, quiet, and confident.
Explore the Sonic Cosmos with Night Moves on the ‘Carl Sagan’ EP
Four new tracks from the recording during Night Moves' 'Pennied Days' sessions see the Minneapolis band exploring the cosmic side of its '70s-esque sound.
The Delia Derbyshire Appreciation Society
Inspired by the work of one of electronic music's great pioneers, The Delia Derbyshire Appreciation Society makes beautiful ambient music.
Best Albums of 2016: Top 10 Records of the Year
This week, we present our ten of our favorite albums of the year. These are not in order of rank, but rather listed alphabetically.
Best Records of 2016: Car Seat Headrest’s ‘Teens of Denial’
Car Seat Headrest's 'Teens of Denial' combs the verbosity of artists like Jonathan Richman and Will Sheff with a classic rock-sized sound.
Best Records of 2016: Japanese Breakfast’s ‘Psychopomp’
'Psychopomp,' Michelle Zauner's first record as Japanese Breakfast, explores grief through her country-influenced "psychotic pop sound."
Best Records of 2016: Swet Shop Boys’ ‘Cashmere’
Cashmere, the debut LP from Swet Shop Boys, covers a wide range of issues with wit and emotion in its 34-minute runtime.