Out This Week 2/16

February is full of surprises. One of them is the release of Gorilla Manor by Local Natives. The indie rock band’s debut album comes up with favorable reviews from tastemakers like Pitchfork. The quintet from California has been touring since 2009, playing different music festivals and making a very special appearance at KEXP’s broadcast in Portland. As of 2010, Local Natives are bringing the sound of American contemporary rock harmony to the Old Continent before heading back to Austin for SXSW. Another highlight this week is the latest by Devonté Hynes, otherwise known as Lightspeed Champion. The British musician reached #45 in the UK charts with his previous album Falling off the Lavender Bridge and is back with Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You, bringing with it different instrumentation and even a piano étude. Here you’ll find a more mature sound, shown on the album’s first single Marlene.

Also from the UK, and somehow unexpectedly subsequent to their intended break-up in 2007, is Field Music with their third album, a two disc set called Field Music (Measure). The indie rock band formed by brothers Peter and David Brewes worked on different projects for the past years before releasing this funky indie rock styled album. Quite differently expressing an insight to Appalachian tradition is Dear Companions by Kentucky’s Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore, whose voices seem to come from mountaintop miners in rural communities.

New York’s Bear Hands are starting to create a stir, officially debuting with their single What a Drag. The band is already on tour and scheduled to visit Seattle (and KEXP!) on March 2nd. Sanae and Ripley (Wooden Shjips) from Moon Duo also debut this week with their EP Escape, exploring a range of psychedelic music styles. Seattle’s Kasey Anderson releases his 4th album Nowhere Night’s, a mix of blues and poetry, while blues/punk Rock ‘n Roller Nick Curran joins with The Lowlifes for Reform School Girl. Brooklyn’s ArpLine, featured recently on our Song of the Day podcast, is releasing their new album in the Radiohead-inspired “pay what you wish” format.

And not to be missed on this Mardi Gras day is Preservation: An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall, a benefit album featuring legendary and emerging artists like Jim James, Tom Waits, Andrew Bird, Dr. John, Angelique Kidjo, Richie Havens, and many others performing with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band at the venerable New Orleans venue. Check out these and others releases on Largehearted Boy’s list before heading out to your local store.