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Hear new songs by the Breeders, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lucy Michelle, Buck Meek, Jon Batiste, Aphex Twin

Music You Should Know: The Breeders
Music You Should Know: The BreedersKevin Westenberg; MPR graphic

by Jade and Diane

June 29, 2023

Thirty years on from releasing Last Splash, the Breeders return with a song that’s been on mothballs since 1993. We’ve got that for you, as well as new songs from Grammy winners Corinne Bailey Rae, Jon Batiste and Aphex Twin. Minnesota songwriter Lucy Michelle and Big Thief guitarist Buck Meek are also back with new solo work.

The Breeders, “Go Man Go”

The slow-burn rocker, "Go Man Go," has been gathering dust since 1993. The Breeders just released the song from their Last Splash era to help celebrate the album’s 30th Anniversary. A remastered version of the alt-rock classic will feature two previously unreleased songs and the band will be hitting the road (no stop in the Twin Cities as of right now) later this fall.

Corinne Bailey Rae, “New York Transit Queen”

An unexpected jolt of punk and glam rock are injected into a new song from Corinne Bailey Rae. The typically neo-soul softness of Rae is put aside as she dug into an art collection at the Stony Island Arts Bank in Chicago. The new inspiration will be expanded on in her album, Black Rainbows, out September 15, and on an upcoming tour that will be paired with exhibitions and lectures.

Lucy Michelle, “The Living”

Lucy Michelle had a heyday in the Twin Cities music scene in the 2010s with her indie bands the Velvet Lapelles and Little Fevers — one acoustic, the other electric. Lucy’s songwriting gifts continue to thrive in her latest single “The Living,” an emotional tune about the longing for human connection. Her supergroup backing band will consist of John Munson (Semisonic, The New Standards), Chris Koza (Rogue Valley), Dylan Hicks, and Richard Medek (Turn Turn Turn, Erik Koskinen). – Diane, Host of The Local Show

Buck Meek, “Paradise”

Buck Meek’s gentle voice cracks and flutters as he talks about seeing “Heaven is your eyes.” Haunted Mountain, the new solo record from the guitarist and backing vocalist for Big Thief, will be out August 25. Slide guitar and delicate love share the story of finding “Paradise.”

Jon Batiste, “Calling Your Name”

It’s a hazy reference to ‘80s yacht rock from recent Grammy winner, Jon Batiste. His 2021 album, We Are, mixed jazz, soul, funk, hip hop, and pop, so this is a low-tempo return for the multi-talented artist. “Calling Your Name” is the first song released since We Are.

Aphex Twin, “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f”

Listening to Aphex Twin sometimes feels like walking through the looking glass, normal objects are distorted and the sizes are all wrong. That instability is perfectly captured as the gentle head game of “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f” unfolds. The first new song in five years from the producer will be on an EP coming out July 28. 

Playlist

Profile portrait of a woman wearing a jewelled tiara
Music You Should Know: Corinne Bailey Rae
Koto Bolofo; MPR graphic
A man in a tank top lies back on a canvas for a portrait
Music You Should Know: Buck Meek
Shervin Lainez; MPR graphic
A man sits outdoors in the foothills amid antiquated audio equipment
Music You Should Know: Jon Batiste
Emman Montalvan; MPR graphic
A twisted, distorted and slightly disturbing sculpture of a human face
Music You Should Know: Aphex Twin
courtesy the artists; MPR graphic