In this week's edition of Fresh Picks, you'll find legacy artists like Mavis Staples, well-known and loved Minnesota poet and rapper, Dessa, Canadian Indigenous artist William Prince, and newer artists to add to your collection, like waterbaby and Aubrie Sellers.
Check out this week's suggestions from Music Director Kari Hedlund and Host/Producer Malachy Koons.
Albums
Mavis Staples - Sad and Beautiful World
Earlier this year, Kari and I caught Mavis at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, soon after the legendary soul singer and civil rights icon turned 86. We both agree that it was easily the highlight of the fest and a performance that stuck with us long after the weekend. Mavis brings the same fire, tenderness and embodiment of resistance we experienced that day to this cleverly selected set of songs from producer Brad Cook. Prepare to bawl your eyes out to the title track Sparklehorse cover. Tune in to hear more from Sad and Beautiful World, KAXE's album of the week. - MK
Ramona & The Holy Smokes - Self-Titled
Released at the end of September, this is an album that fans of classic Texas country should not miss. Fitting right in at a honky-tonk bar, Ramona Martinez's vocals are warm and inviting with just a bit of twang with a band that hits it just right. "This Little Heart," "Drunk After Work" and "1000 Little Heartbreaks" are great songs to kick off your dive into new classic country. - KH
Whitney - Small Talk
After their polarizing 2022 album, Spark, Whitney's Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek went back to the basics. The pair decamped to an old barn in Oregon to write and record completely on their own. The resulting self-produced Small Talk is a throwback to the magic of their early sound, effortlessly breezy soft-rock that draws at will from folk, soul and country and has a seemingly never-ending supply of ear catching hooks. "Dandelions" was one of my songs of the summer, and check out the magic strings on "The Thread." - MK
William Prince - Further From The Country
William Prince is a Peguis First Nations country songwriter, based in Winnipeg and releasing his fifth album. Further From The Country is a spacious affair that leans into cosmic country and western. The wide-open production allows plenty of room for Prince's empathetic and deeply human observations on addiction, reservation life, heritage and growth. On top of his songwriting talent, Prince's baritone is deep, warm and expressive. - MK
Khruangbin - The Universe Smiles Upon You ii
Celebrating the release of their debut album from 2015, the global psychedelic trio has re-recorded and reimagined the songs through the lens of 2025. The songs are a bit sweeter, tapping into the tender and present with everything brought to the forefront for the listener. They didn't recreate the album from start to finish, deciding to leave off the original opening track "Mr. White" and including a studio version of the fan favorite, "Bin Bin ii," a short but incredible highlight on the release. - KH
Singles
Dessa - "Tough Luck"
One of two surprise singles from the Minnesota rapper, "Tough Luck" is another collaboration with producer Lazerbeak that successfully pairs her love of pop and hip-hop. As always, Dessa's bars are on point: "Just 'cause there's a reason doesn't mean it happened for a good cause/ even apple-eating Eve in Eden caught a tough call." And the beat pairs loud synths with harpsichord and a guitar sample to great effect. The guitar was recorded by Dessa on her phone while she was in Cape Town working with a South African choir. Here's to hearing more from that collaboration. - MK
GA-20 - "Just One More Time"
In this new single from blues group, GA-20, they are definitely feeling inspired by retro rock 'n' roll. The song is off their upcoming album Orphans, out on Dec. 5. The album is a collection of songs only heard at live shows or released as one-off singles, not part of any other albums. Just in time for the winter doldrums, GA-20 is bringing in music that makes you move when sitting still is not an option. - KH
Aubrie Sellers - "Villain of the Week"
Diving deep into her unique style of garage country, Sellers put out this song ahead of her just-announced album out in March, Attachment Theory. Gritty and distorted guitars next to her sweet vocals, Sellers laments the bad that comes with using dating apps, "This trope is gettin' old/ and I'm too bored to be still waitin' on a hero/ you're just another villain of the week." - KH
waterbaby - "Beck n Call"
With every listen, I discover something new in this catchy and deceptively complex single from Swedish alt-R&B singer, waterbaby. First, it's the way she and producer Marcus White layer a variety of her vocal samples. Then it's the oboe that meanders around the mix, and finally, the way the main piano riff has been subtly replaced by a Steve Reich-inspired string pattern. - MK
