INSIDE NOISE Week of 8/25: Zach Bryan and More!

Here’s a look at some noteworthy popular records to come out this week. From jazz legends to pop country, this week had it all!

My Words Are Music: A Celebration of Sun Ra's Poetry by Sun Ra + Various Artists [L'Rain, Saul Williams, Abiodun Oweyole, + more.]

As an artist whose experimental music transcends time and space, Sun Ra needs no introduction. While he is best known for his cosmic jazz performances, yesterday's spoken word release My Words Are Music: A Celebration of Sun Ra's Poetry focuses its attention on his written words instead. But as the album title suggests, there is a rich musicality to be found in Sun Ra's poetry. With a sense of free-flowing boundlessness, over a dozen speakers including experimental musician L'Rain; independent artist Saul Williams; and longtime members of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Marshall Allen, Knoel Scott, and Tara Middleton, are not afraid to add a dramatic flair, sometimes singing, rapping, or whispering each stanza. Between the readings, Marshall Allen provides flourishes of retro electronica that serve as the perfect complement to the psychedelic, afrofuturistic poems featured in this release. Like all of Sun Ra's work, this album overflows with the magical philosophy of ego-obliterating love, an awe-inspiring display proving that Sun Ra is still profoundly ahead of his time. 10/10. - Kalen

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Weedkiller by Ashnikko

On the release of their debut full lenght album Weedkiller, Ashnikko came through with all the bad bitch anthems we deserve. The rage-fueled rap-pop artist distills their struggles with mental health, embracing their queer sexuality, and anxieties about the future into intimate lyrics and quippy bars that cut with precision. Expertly produced by Dylan Brady of 100 Gecs, between gritty deconstructed club beats or bubblegum sweet Y2K pop bangers, there is plenty of variety on this record. This album definitely leans into an edgy sound and aesthetic; however, at times this comes across more like a quirky "Hot Topic" vibe instead of authentically alternative. But overall, Ashnikko is on top of their game, and Weedkiller is an impressive debut that is right on the pulse of what's trendy in pop music today. 8/10. - Kalen

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Zach Bryan by Zach Bryan

For people who have been following the rise of a fantastic, exciting new wave of traditional country music, we've hit a new high water mark, both in terms of quality and popularity. Until now, Zach Bryan had been a dependably strong folksy singer-songwriter, but his new self-titled record shows his songwriting operating on a whole new level. Angst, romance, grief, and wonder all swirl around, propelled by Bryan's gritty voice and masterful poetry. At its core, Zach Bryan tells the story of a man struggling to sort out his relationship with his hometown and his family, as nostalgia bumps up against resentment and pity. These complicated feelings clash so obviously with the sort of uncritically chauvinistic country music that we've all become accustomed to in the past decade or so, and I hope this release opens doors for even more incredible up-and-coming artists in a similar vein. 8/10. - Michael

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Born Again by Danger Mouse / Jemini the Gifted One

If you love hip hop that tells a compelling struggle story, listen up. Danger Mouse and Jemini the Gifted One's new record Born Again uses a straightforward production style to allow for extensive verses that each give us a snapshot of these rappers' lives. At the same time, the duo doesn't sacrafice catchy hooks and choruses, allowing the music ample opportunities to get stuck in your head. Born Again touches on some heavy themes without allowing the weight of the subject matter to drag down the energy of the record, resulting in a highly listenable yet highly impactful release that will have you coming back. 7/10. - Michael