The first album on my list this month got a 10/10 in Paste. I read the review and immediately rolled my eyes — no one makes a perfect record, and based on the description, I figured I’d hate it. Cut to 24 hours later: I’m completely obsessed. Joke’s on me. Click to my lastest picks at this link and you be the judge: Brave New Brief 10.06.2025 (or click on the artwork above).
Wet Leg, Beach Bunny, Hotline TNT, Superchunk + more
Well, the thrill of the summer turned out not to be music-related at all… it was soccer. My daughter’s team flew to Denmark, entered the Dana Cup on their very first try… and won. 🏆.
More on soccer, sweat, accidental global playlisting and my lastest picks can be found at this link: Brave New Brief 09.10.2025 or by clicking on the artwork above.
Tuneyards, Beirut, Jetstream Pony + more
I just spent a week in Yosemite and yes, it’s just as jaw-droppingly beautiful as everyone says. I felt wildly lucky — and totally humbled — to spend a week in all that natural glory. Which brings me, quite naturally, to the latest batch of beauty battling for space in my headphones. I mean, you can’t live in Yosemite unless you’re a Ranger so music is what we got in the meantime. Let the obsession begin.
The latest album recommends are live at this link: Brave New Brief 06.29.25 or by clicking on the artwork above.
There is a light you can see that is wanting to be free ...
I felt such joy listening to these particular albums over the past few days — not just a casual background play, but the full-intensity, soul-tuned-in kind of listening. That experience is what I try to re-distribute through this Brief. My hope is that you, too, can steal a few minutes, throw on your headphones, and let yourself fully fall in.
The latest album recommends are live at this link: Brave New Brief 04.30.25 or by clicking on the artwork above.
I'm not a fighter but I hate to lose ...
I wrote it the latest Brief in 20 scattered five-minute bursts over the past two weeks. You know those kind of weeks—when the universe is aggressively and endlessly flinging interruptions at you?
But music, as always, prevails. And there are simply too many good releases right now to stay away from you for long. So dive in. If you love it, drop me a line. If not, take it up with congress—I’m sure they’d love the break from dismantling democracy.
The latest album recommends are live at this link: Brave New Brief 03.16.25 or by clicking on the artwork above.
A lie's a lie, a truth's a truth, its all up to me and you ...
Goodbye to the longest January ever—especially if you’re in L.A., where time slowed to a molasses crawl, scented with ash.
Before we get to the good news, a quick but crucial detour: If you have the means, please consider supporting any of the GoFundMe campaigns linked below. This list is specific to the music community—almost 400 musicians and industry folks who lost their homes, and in many cases, their studios. Their entire creative worlds, gone overnight.
Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resources
My home was outside the fire zone, but for over a week, all of L.A. felt like a city under siege. Now we’re settling into what people are calling the “new normal,” which, let’s be honest, is just “normal” with more paperwork and existential dread. There’s a lot of rebuilding ahead.
But! In the spirit of embracing whatever “normal” means now, let’s not overlook the gems that January gave us—releases that are making me smile and hint at a promising musical year ahead.
Brave New Brief 02.03.25 album recommends are live here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/bravenewworldtricia/p/brave-new-brief-a-lies-a-lie-a-truths?r=7qecv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Top Ten of 2024
Hasta la vista, 2024. I enjoyed taking stock of the year in music this week, probably because I am also celebrating my first full year of being a Substack author. Click through for all the details … unless you just don’t like finding new music to fall in love with.
Top Ten of 2024 album list is live here: https://open.substack.com/pub/bravenewworldtricia/p/brave-new-brief-top-ten-of-2024?r=7qecv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
So maybe when you kiss me I can let you see me cry ...
Brave New Brief 12.18.24 album recommends are live here: https://open.substack.com/pub/bravenewworldtricia/p/brave-new-brief-so-maybe-when-you?r=7qecv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
For the penultimate Brief of the year, I assigned each of my picks to a holiday activity you might be enjoying in the weeks ahead (or not!) Keep the indie music handy. Art heals.
Falling down is fun, now I can't stop ...
Brave New Brief 10.27.24 album recommends are live here: https://open.substack.com/pub/bravenewworldtricia/p/brave-new-brief-falling-down-is-fun?r=7qecv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
What albums made it through the gauntlet over the last eight weeks?
Spotify & Chill
It’s true, there is a public Spotify playlist of every album I’ve recommended in 2024. How else would I keep track? But more importantly, why am I hiding it from you? idk. Here it is, sounds good on shuffle:
Let it be the little song on your radio ...
Brave New Brief 05.19 album recommends are live here: https://bravenewworldtricia.substack.com/p/brave-new-brief-let-it-be-the-little
I’m no fan of Grey May as we call this month in currently cloudy coastal So Cal. But these albums are getting me through it.
Hanging on to the sunshine ...
Brave New Brief 04.14 album recommends are live here: https://open.substack.com/pub/bravenewworldtricia/p/brave-new-brief-im-hanging-on-to?r=7qecv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
A longer than normal brief, because it’s not your imagination, there are a LOT of new albums right now. Don’t panic, I listened to absolutely everything and have highlighted here only the eight I consider mandatory listening, as in, your life might not be quite complete if you don’t at least give them a chance. Have at it!
Here's a dream …
Brave New Brief 03.03 album recommends are live here: https://open.substack.com/pub/bravenewworldtricia/p/brave-new-brief-heres-a-dream-that?r=7qecv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
A spring indie rock newsletter pretty much writes itself. Now is when indie bands all want to release their new albums so they can set up their spring/summer tours, and also not compete with the blockbuster Top 40 albums that tend to drop around retail holidays. It’s not your imagination, there are lots of albums to love right now!
Give Me A Reason …
Brave New Brief 01.29 album recommends are live here: https://open.substack.com/pub/bravenewworldtricia/p/brave-new-brief-give-me-a-reason?r=7qecv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I’m feeling pretty bullish on 2024 music based on what I’ve heard so far. Usually January is a graveyard of new releases but we have four solids here. I threw in a few from 2023 that I did not get around to featuring then. Happy New Year!
Best Albums of 2023
I both love and hate this year-end exercise ... I'm thrilled to have a chance to highlight some faves but agonize over the process every year. I'm quite happy with the final list though.
My top 5 albums are by Jeffrey Martin, Slow Pulp, Shamir, Cat Power, and Will Johnson. Click below for details and the rest of the list!
click image for full list of my favorite albums of 2023
Sneak Preview, Best of 2023 ...
The artist you wished you'd seen at Zebulon on Saturday night ... this album is such a gift in a messed-up year.
Jeffrey Martin "Thank God We Left The Garden"
(ps subscribe here to get my full Best of 2023 list later this week: Brave New Brief)
click image for links to streaming services
Brave New Brief, November
Remember, remember, the best of November ... highlights of the month's listening are here now.
World Kindness Day
Happy World Kindness Day! I was pleased to be able to assist The Harmony Project in clearing the rights for this beautiful song "Give" for their "10 Days Of Kindness" campaign involving their Prison Arts Program. It is truly moving to watch this community come together and sing their hearts out.
Brave New Brief, October
All treats, no tricks. Just a few album releases worthy of your time, plucked from my October listening.
Brave New Brief, September
Slightly new venture ... collecting my favorite new albums monthly into one easy newsletter as opposed to trusting social media algorithms. Give it a try, I'm liking Substack as a place to find thoughtful writing, good recommendations, and zero advertising.
