Kevin Bronson on February 22nd, 2021

0

Catching up with three artists who released albums on Friday: Lael Neale, Blackout Transmission and Hearty Har …

LAEL NEALE, “Acquainted With Night”

Sometimes the biggest triumphs are the quietest ones. So it is with Lael Neale’s second album, “Acquainted With Night.” Armed with little more than her words, sung in an intimate quaver, and the heartbeat of an Omnichord and a drum machine, the Virginia native finds enormous depth in seemingly innocent vignettes. Listening is like walking into a poetry reading and finding out you were the only person invited.

BLACKOUT TRANSMISSION, “Sparse Illumination”

The L.A. quartet’s debut album summons the powers of ’80s and ’90s British post-punk and shoegaze bands, majestic on tracks such as “Portals”, or dark and anxious in “Heavy Circles,” or floating on something on “Pacifica.” For fans of guitars, and beautiful blurs of textures. Find it here.

HEARTY HAR, “Radio Astro”

The debut album from the band piloted by brothers Tyler and Shane Fogerty is finally here, so “Scream and Shout!” The Fogertys, sons of John of Creedence Clearwater Revival, have been working as Hearty Har for eight years, and the album finds them dialing in plenty of ’60s and ’70s influences, some in wildly fun ways. “Calling You Out” conjures up some vintage soul; “Fare Thee Well” trips out (see the video, too); and at the album’s midpoint, there’s even a wild instrumental, “Canyon of the Banshees.” Fun for the whole family.