Now Hear This! - February 2025

Teddy Swims
I�ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)
Warner Records

Swims might still be resisting the therapist�s couch, but his ability to work things out in his music has only become stronger. Melding vintage soul with cutting-edge production, the Georgia-raised artist makes another splash after world-dominating success. At once old and new, steeped in pain yet deeply soothing, it�s Teddy Swims all over.

Benjamin Booker
Lower
Thirty Tigers/ Fire Next Time Records

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Following two critically acclaimed albums marked by his signature fuzzy americana-inspired garage rock and soul sound, Booker disappeared in search of something new. Working with LA underground hip-hop mastermind Kenny Segal, that new found sound mixes experimental hip hop, dream and noise pop, and singer-songwriter music into something that is entirely its own.

Ambrose Akinmusire
Honey From A Winter Stone
Nonesuch

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The Grammy-nominated trumpeter follows up his critically acclaimed 2018 album Origami Harvest with a meditation on being a Black man in America. Featuring both a string quartet (Mivos Quartet) and a jazz quartet that includes Sam Harris (piano), Chiquita Magic (synthesizers) and Justin Brown (drums), accompanied by the poet/rapper/vocalist Kokayi.

The Weeknd
Hurry Up Tomorrow
Republic

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The Weeknd�s sixth album serves as the final part of an album trilogy that began with After Hours (2020) and continued with Dawn FM (2022). Features appearances from Playboi Carti and Anitta, and production from Giorgio Moroder, Max Martin, Mike Dean, Ojivolta, OPN, Oscar Holter, and Pharrell Williams, among others.

Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart
Looking For The Thread
Thirty Tigers / Lambent Light Records

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Carpenter�s rich, empathetic American folk blends beautifully with the Scots, Fowlis and Polwart, who add their own traditional and contemporary styles. Together they�ve achieved a clarity and delicacy of sound that lets vocals float like ribbons, dancing and joining with each other and with the instrumentation, every element perfectly distinguishable.

Various Artists
Gothic Valentines
Cleopatra Records

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From the label that brought you Gothic Halloween and We Wish You A Merry Gothmas, comes the ultimate collection of darkly romantic gothic tracks for those who prefer their valentine hearts black and bleeding! Featuring tracks by Joy Division, Lebanon Hanover, Front Line Assembly, Sonsombre, The KVB, Soft Cell, The 69 Eyes, Bauhaus's David J and more!

Various Artists
Punk Rock Valentines
Cleopatra Records

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Punks need love too - and this bold collection of blistering anti-love love songs will put a safety pin through the heart of even the most die-hard punk rock fan! From The Damned to Iggy Pop to The Vibrators, UK Subs, Dead Boys and more, this is the first ever love-themed compilation to feature so many punk rock legends in one place!

East Forest
Ram Dass
Bright Antenna

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After being invited to Ram Dass� home to join in conversation and record brand new teachings from the legendary teacher, East Forest returned to his high desert studio to form a collaborative work featuring topics around technology, nature, soul, death, psilocybin, consciousness, karma, the mind, as well as classic Ram Dass stories from his early journeys in India and more.

Artikal Sound System
Are You Smiling Yet?
Controlled Substance Sound Labs

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After nearly a decade of playing together, Artikal Sound System have created the perfect reggae foundation for their jazz-influenced singer to dance around on lyrically and literally. What you hear is the sound of friendship, hard work, imagination and the hope to spread their message of love and the importance of having a good time.

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The Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) is a national level organization comprised of the best independent record stores in America. CIMS was founded in 1995 with the goal of uniting like minded independent store owners, giving them a more powerful voice in the music industry. The stores that make up CIMS are all very different, but we share the same desires � to be the heart of our communities, to super-serve our customers, to support and develop artists, and to share our love of music.

For more information about CIMS and the stores in our organization, please visit cimsmusic.com or find us through social media with the #cimsmusic hashtag. And please remember to always shop local by supporting your neighborhood record store.

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Now Hear This! - February 2025