Songs: Ohia
“The Big Game Is Every Night” (Demo)
Magnolia Electric Co. (Reissue) (out now on Secretly Canadian)

When Jason Molina passed in March at the age of 39, the overwhelming response focused more on resigned sadness than shock. The prolific, prodigiously gifted songwriter’s battles with alcoholism and other unspecified health issues have been well-documented, and he shared that struggle honestly in almost all the music he ever made. Ten years on from its original release, Magnolia Electric Co. feels as relevant as ever, when you consider our country’s current financial, social, and military realities.

I could have picked nearly any of the album’s post-industrial hymns  but this new demo, to me, captures the Indianapolis native at his absolute best: reflective, haunting, and devastatingly poetic. It’s a heartbreaking reminder of a man’s talent and torment — displayed in equally crushing measures. RIP.

Blood Orange
“You’re Not Good Enough”
Cupid Deluxe (out 11/12 on Domino)

The reinging MVP of pop music/rad turtlenecks finally gives us another taste of his highly-anticipated second LP under the Blood Orange moniker. Blood Orange (aka Dev Hynes) has already had his fingerprints all over a few of the best tracks of the year (MKS’ “Flatline,” Friends’ “The Way”), and “You’re Not Good Enough” pairs the Londoner’s signature slinky sound with a refreshing lyrical edge. At the very least, it’s the kind of song that makes you feel good about getting over someone, and lord knows, this world can never have too many songs about that. Roll on November 12th.

If you have the new iTunes (which, of course, I don’t), you can stream Cupid Deluxe here.

Disclosure
“Apollo”
Digital Single

Getting a massive raise. Finding diamonds floating in your coffee. Meeting your new deskmate, Morrissey. Besides those three things, I can’t think of many better ways to start a workweek than with a new track from TP’s favorite sons, Disclosure. “Apollo” is very much a classic Disclo track, harkening back to their dancefloor-focused roots. Armed with a faraway vocal sample, the brothers Lawrence lace an unrelenting four-to-the-floor backbeat and wonky synths to devastating effect — reminding everyone of the depth and versatility of their pocket.

John Talabot
“Without You”
John Talabot DJ-Kicks (out 11/12 on !K7)

Barcelona’s reigning king of the decks, John Talabot, has the incredible ability to full maximum feelings out of the tiniest sliver of  a vocal sample. The sweltering, “Without You,” is no different, as he builds he an engulfing sonic narrative using nothing but a slowly-building beat, an unstoppable bassline, and a far-away sample. It’s the kind of thing that peppered his super-underrated 2012 LP, ƒIN and cemented his status as an essential voice in modern dance music.