Album of the Week: Avalon Emerson - & the Charm | 2023 Week 17

After getting her start in the more discerning clubs and parties of San Francisco over a decade ago, Avalon Emerson has gone from strength to strength in the dance music world, known for her unique, lush and layered blend of techno and house (with plenty of acid thrown in) productions and riveting DJ sets - many of who were introduced to from her 2019 contribution to the iconic DJ-Kicks series.

With nearly 10 singles and EPs under her belt, as well as a relentless touring schedule, Emerson recently decided to take a break from life as a globetrotting DJ and embrace some other sounds and styles as “an artist who’s [sic] long looked beyond the club for inspiration”.

Beyond the club is indeed where we find ourselves listening to Avalon’s new album indeed. Teaming up with prolific, go-to UK electronic and avant-pop producer Bullion who executive produced the album as well as on mixing duties for most cuts, & the Charm sees Avalon diving head first into the worlds of dream pop, shoegaze and indie rock, all the while retaining elements of dance music in rhythms and arrangements.

Also of note is the fact that this record sees Emerson letting her vocals step into the spotlight, shining above the nine shimmering compositions that make up the record. Released on Another Dove, a new label courtesy of Emerson and AD 93 founder Nic Tasker, & the Charm marks a very exciting new chapter in Avalon’s career… and we can only hope she gets back to a new kind of world touring with this album soon!

The best of the rest of this week's records:

Beach House - Become [Mistletone] USA

Alternative / Pop

bernice - Cruisin' [Telephone Explosion Records] CAN

Alternative / Indie

Braids - Euphoric Recall [Secret City / Remote Control] CAN

Alternative / Electronic

Deuce - Wild Type [Dinosaur City Records] AUS

Alternative / Indie

Jesse Ware - That! Feels Good! [Universal] ENG

Pop

Ron Morelli - Heart Stopper [L.I.E.S.] USA

Electronic

Sunfruits - One Degree [Third Eye Stimuli Records] AUS

Garage / Pop

The National - First Two Pages of Frankenstein [4AD / Remote Control] USA

Indie

Tiny Ruins - Ceremony [Milk! Records] USA

Indie