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MUSIC FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack WHAT’S OUT Whether it’s a voyage of musical discovery or a sonic reacquaintance with a favourite band or artist, check out these fresh releases heading to JB this month.

BON JOVI Forever ISLAND/UNIVERSAL

THE DECEMBERISTS As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again ROCKET Fun fact: The Decemberists have had The rootsy American indie rockers are in fine form here. “This world’s all wrong,” Colin Meloy sings, “so let’s go where we belong... somewhere out beyond these maladies in my head.” FU MANCHU The Return of Tomorrow ROCKET years. It’s a big one: a double album – seven heavy songs on one record; six mellower cuts on the other. A perfect Saturday night/Sunday morning long-player. THE GHOST INSIDE Searching for Solace EPITAPH American metalcore band The Ghost Inside hit number five with their 2020 self-titled set. The power-packed follow-up was inspired by COVID isolation, “grief, loss and the gut-wrenching sadness that comes with losing someone close to you”. Singer Jonathan Vigil wrote Cityscapes in memory of his dad who died when the band was touring Australia. nine albums, and not one of them has been released in December. Closing in on their 40th anniversary, American stoner rock band Fu Manchu issue their 14th album, their first in six

GRACIE ABRAMS The Secret of Us UNIVERSAL

EDITOR’S PICK CASEY BARNES Mayday CHUGG MUSIC As well as winning an ARIA for ‘Best Country Album’, Casey Barnes has taken the title of ‘Most Performed Country Work’ at the past two APRA Awards. Listening to this record, you can hear why this Gold Coast artist sets country radio alight. His songs grab you and don’t let go. No flab, all fab. From good times – Ain’t No Better Buddy Than a Beer – to big ballads, Mayday delivers for “country folk” – and everyone who loves a perfectly crafted pop hit.

The first single from Bon Jovi’s 16th album said it all: Legendary . After vocal cord surgery, Jon Bon Jovi

With close links to Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Noah

Kahan, Gracie Abrams is destined for big things

sounds a little different, but the band still delivers. A highlight is the big ballad Kiss the Bride , which JBJ wrote for his daughter, Stephanie. It’s destined to be 2024’s big wedding song. BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN Keep Me on Your Mind/See You Free ROCKET The third album for this American folk trio is “an ode to the blessed mess of our humanity”. The record had its genesis in an old Irish pub, Levis Corner House, in the beautifully named Ballydehob in County Cork. The result sounds like they’re playing in the corner just for you. CARLY PEARCE Hummingbird BIG MACHINE

with her second album. Produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner, the American singer-songwriter – who was nominated

for ‘Best New Artist’ at the 2024 Grammys – is ready for stardom. IMAGINE DRAGONS Loom UNIVERSAL

Imagine Dragons are one of the biggest bands of the 2000s, with five Top 10 albums in Australia. Again working

with Swedish songwriting and production duo Mattman & Robin, singer Dan Reynolds says he can’t tell if the new album is a sunset or a sunrise, “the beginning of something new or the end of something”. JOHN CALE POPtical Illusion DOMINO Music legend John Cale – co-founder of the

Grammy-winning country star Carly Pearce did a lot of

Velvet Underground – is still going strong at the age of 82, issuing his

living before her fourth album. “I hope it shows

18th solo studio album, an edgy but accessible collection of avant-garde pop. “It’s the best of everything,” he sings. “Everything I’ve found.”

you that pain can be a lesson,” she says, “that we can all find the ‘hummingbird’.” Standout tracks include the opener, Country Music Made Me Do It , and a duet with Chris Stapleton, We Don’t Fight Anymore .

32 JUNE 2024

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