Another week, another opportunity to experience new music. This week’s Timely Tunes features musicians from Venezuela, Cuba and Argentina, as well as a reissue of an Alice Coltrane compilation.

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Timely Tunes

Juana Molina “Cosoco” (From “Halo”)

The first single from Argentinian songwriter Juana Molina’s upcoming seventh album is a knotty, playful electronic pop oddity. The song’s moments of hypnotic, mathy post-rock are grounded by Molina’s distinctive vocals. Otherworldliness imbued with organic warmth.

Danay Suárez “Palabras Manuales” (From “Palabras Manuales”)

One of the brightest stars in Cuban R&B, Suárez draws comparisons to Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. She smoothly transitions back and forth from percussive rapping and soulful singing on this beautiful track. There is an improvisational jazziness to her work that allows the music to breathe and never feel claustrophobic.

Alice Coltrane “Om Shanti” (From “The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda”)

In 1983, Alice Coltrane established the Sai Anantam Ashram near Malibu, searching for personal transcendence through her devotion to Hinduism. Her music had always seemed in search of a higher consciousness, something that became even more pronounced after the death of her husband John Coltrane (see the classic 1971 album “Journey in Satchidananda” for a particularly stunning example). During her time as the swamini of the Ashram, Alice released a series of spiritual cassettes made available only to members. Now David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label is finally reissuing a compilation of this vital, fascinating music.

Arca “Anoche” (From “Arca”)

Alejandro Ghersi, aka Arca, is a 26 year old from Venezuela who has become one of the most in-demand producers thanks to collaborations with Björk, Kanye West, FKA twigs, and Frank Ocean. His solo work has also been some of the most forward-thinking and alien music released over the past few years. What has been most shocking about the first two songs released from his upcoming record is that they feature his melancholic, plaintive vocals for the first time (thanks to urging from Björk). Who knew that one of our greatest producers also has such an incredible voice? The revelation is like a third act plot twist.

TIMELY TUNES, VOL. 38

Tracklist:

1. Tortoise “TNT”
2. Juana Molina “Cosoco”
3. Eddie Palmieri “Ay Que Rico”
4. Slum Village “Tell Me” (feat. D’Angelo)
5. Danay Suárez “Palabras Manuales”
6. Sade “Paradise”
7. Maze “Right On Time” (feat. Frankie Beverly)
8. Terence Boylan “Shame”
9. Pharoah Sanders “Kazuko (Instrumental)”
10. Alice Coltrane “Om Shanti”
11. David Casper “Sky Chi”
12. Ash Koosha “I Feel That”
13. Arca “Anoche”