Friday releases: The Weeknd, Bohnes, Punchline, Kacey Musgraves

There's plenty of great music out this weekend. Here's what I'd recommend:

The Weeknd - My Dear Melencholy
The Weeknd dropped a new EP tonight. The biggest surprise wasn't 6 new tracks with just two days notice, but the throwback content of those tracks. Starboy was a pop phenomenon which built on the past two full lengths and dominated the mainstream charts. Meloncholy harkens back to a time before Kissland when his mixtape trilogy dominated Hype Machine and Indie Shuffle. Brooding, raunchy, and direct. It's an interesting throwback for a performer at the top of his game.

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Bohnes - 206: Act I
After a long wait that almost definitely exasperated Alexander DeLeon more than his anxious fanbase, the first part of his first post-The Cab record has arrived. 8 tracks of pop rock with plenty of skeleton and monster references (and a related Cranberries one to boot). Theres a fresh sound to Bohnes that we didn't get with Alex's work before, but his voice rings as clear as ever and plenty of piano remains for those that appreciate how special that combo is. I'm glad this music is finally out in the world and I hope it takes.

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Punchline - Lion
After using Punchlion as their band's online handle for years, Pittsburgh's pride have finally dropped a record with the feline pun as the title.

The record is a compilation of a few songs they released last year, one they released on their last record and reimagined for their Music Special taping which I attended last year, and nine new ones. Track 7 features my favorite Punchline collaborator Anthony Raneri.

I genuinely love and support these gentlemen. The joy and positivity they put into every single album is astounding and inspiring.

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Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour
Country sound, progressive lyricism. So sweet and smooth it's like an overturned bucket of homemade maple syrup in summer time.

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