Album of the Week – 15/08/25

There’s a change in direction from Steve Gunn, with his new album Music for Writers, which we reviewed here. Chance the Rapper has just released Star Line, and there’s also something tasty from Bret McKenzie called Freak Out City. Yes, he’s the guy from Flight of the Conchords.

But… we’ve gone for Cass McC and his beautiful new release, Interior Live Oak. You can check it out below.

Album of the Week – Cass McCombs – Interior Live Oak

“Interior Live Oak draws from everything Cass has created over two decades of experimentation to cut through with a direct and clarifying light. Throughout, his attitude is hopeful, which may sound odd for someone who often sings about the more extreme aspects of modern life. Interior Live Oak, however, is the resolve of someone who has lived those extremes.

Named after a tree species native to Northern California, the album sees McCombs incorporate the more economical song structures of his prime material with the help of some of his earliest musical cohorts, including Jason Quever (Papercuts) and Chris Cohen. McCombs recorded much of the new material in the Bay Area, not far from where they had cut their musical teeth (as documented on last year’s archival release, Seed Cake On Leap Year). Additional recording in New York City brought with it contributions from other perennial collaborators such as Matt Sweeney and Mike Bones.”

Albums of Note:

— Alison Goldfrapp – Flux

— Chance the Rapper – Star Line

— Bret McKenzie – Freak Out City

— Music for Writers – Steve Gunn

August 15th:

— The Aces – Gold Star Baby

— ADÉLA – The Provacteur

— Alison Goldfrapp – Flux

— Audrey Hobert – Who’s the Clown?

— Babyface Ray – Codeine Cowboy

— Big Noble (feat. Interpol’s Daniel Kessler) – It’s Later Than You Think

— Billianne – Modes of Transportation

— Billie Eilish – Lullaby Renditions of Billie Eilish

— Black Honey – Soak

— Bret McKenzie – Freak Out City

— Cass McCombs – Interior Live Oak

— Chance the Rapper – Star Line

— Chevelle – Bright as Blasphemy

— Conan Gray – Wishbone

— The Cranberries – No Need To Argue (30th Anniversary Edition)

— Deep Purple – Made in Japan (Super Deluxe Edition)

— Emily James – Summer Nostalgia EP

— Evidence – Unlearning Vol. 2

— Fletcher Tucker – Kin

— Georgia Harmer – Eye of the Storm

— Joey Valence & Brae – HYPERYOUTH

— Jordan Davis – Learn the Hard Way

— K Camp – Kiss 6

— Kal Banx – Rhoda

— Kerosene Heights – Blame It On the Weather

— The Kingston Lions – The Kingston Lions

— Lupe Fiasco – Samurai DX

— Marissa Nadler – New Radiations

— Maroon 5 – Love Is Like

— Molly Tuttle – So Long Little Miss Sunshine

— Pile – Balance Beams

— Pool Kids – Easier Said Than Done

— Pretenders – The Singles (Reissue)

— Racing Mount Pleasant – Racing Mount Pleasant

— Rich Brian – WHERE IS MY HEAD?

— Rise Against – Ricochet

— she’s green – Chrysalis EP

— Stephen Bishop – THIMK

— Steve Gunn – Music For Writers

— Tom Grennan – Everywhere I Went Led Me To Where I Didn’t Want To Be

— Tres Leches – The Smooth Sounds of Tres Leches, LHCC Mart Vol. 1

— Van Halen – Balance (Expanded Edition)

— Various Artists – Highest 2 Lowest (Original Soundtrack)

— Various Artists – Sitting on the Moon