New Music From John Cale, Gunna, The Black Keys, and More!

There was some good music released this past week from Tape Op interviewees!

John Cale
MiXology (volume 1)
John Cale [Tape Op #156] released MiXology (volume 1), a collection of unreleased tracks and alternate versions of songs from his POPtical Illusion and Mercy albums. Fans of Cale will enjoy this look at his process and the development of ideas behind the two aforementioned releases.

The Black Keys
No Rain, No Flowers
For their new release, No Rain, No Flowers, The Black Keys (Dan Auerbach [Tape Op #127] , and Patrick Carney [Tape Op # 136]) worked with a variety of producers including Daniel Tashian [Tape Op #166]. These collaborations have expanded the band's sonic offerings, and delivered an album that has one foot planted in today and another in late '70s/early '80s pop radio hits world. 

Gunna
The Last Wun
Produced by Altlanta-based Turbo [Tape Op Podcast Ep.#105], Gunna's The Last Wun sets a moody vibe from track one and maintains it through the album's twenty five tracks. It is a hypnotic offering that may just be the perfect soundtrack for a late night drive through quiet city streets. My personal favorites are "won't stop" and "him all along".

Thee Osees
ABOMINATION REVEALED AT LAST
John Dwyer [Tape Op #117 ] and his band Thee Osees follow up 2024's SORCS 80 with ABOMINATION REVELAED AT LAST. It is a fast and furious punk rock excursion with just enough weird progressive rock sidebars to keep it feeling like an amusement park funhouse ride with psychedelic clowns and warped mirrors around every corner. 

Lee "Scratch" Perry
Crucial Cuts From the Heart of the Ark (1973-1978)
Lee "Scratch" Perry [Tape Op #136] released so much music over the span of his long career, that I really don't mind when they offer up another curated compilation album. Crucial Cuts From the Heart of the Ark (1973-1978) is a well put together overview of some of Perry's production and mix work done in his legendary Black Ark studio in Jamaica. It features tracks from Augustus Pablo, Junior Byles, The Congos, Max Romeo, Junior Murvin, King Tubby and more. It is another good reminder of what a music pioneer Lee "Scratch" Perry was, and how his use of the studio as an instrument influenced so many producers and engineers that followed in his path.