The work week is soon behind us, folks, and we all need some fantastic releases to relax. Whether you had the most fabulous week of your life or a stressful clashing of days that made time feel extinct, this week’s Caustic will bring you back to reality. We have a buffet of releases that range from unique takes on modern jazz to sentimental psych-folk balladry. Anticipated albums finally hit the shelves. Exciting new LPs are right around the corner, and a plethora of singles are here to fill up your playlist. Stop by the Caustic Gas Station and get your melodic fuel for the weekend.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new releases below.
Dehd – “Pure Gold”
Poetry
The pop-tinged new album from Chicago’s Dehd is brimming with swaying tempos and youthful energy. Poetry is fueled by innocence. The gentleness of the band’s delivery allows the nuances of Dehd’s maturity to sneak through sentimental songwriting. “Pure Gold” is as relaxed as they come. Infectious drum patterns and lighthearted guitar tones give this touching love song a pinch of surf-rock.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise – “Ghoul”
Love Hate Music Box
Rainbow Kitten Surprise has released their most consistent yet expansive album, Love Hate Music Box. It is a sprawling display of their constantly evolving artistry as they fit their daring balladry into tight pop structures. “Ghoul” is a slight deviation from the pop-rock sound the band landed on for this 22-track LP. The eerie vocals and distant guitar tones are greeted with murky drum patterns for a darker change of pace on this consistently bright and welcoming album.
Les Savy Fav – “Void Moon”
OUI, LSF
For the first time in 14 years, the punk-tinged indie project Les Savy Fav has released a studio album. Today marks the release of OUI, LSF—a powerful LP brimming with passionate vocal performances set to jagged drums and searing guitar melodies. “Void Moon” is a frantic punk tune with vocals that touch the sky and tempos that jump out of the speakers. Les Savy Fav created an LP filled with anthems, “Void Moon” is the contained rage we all feel from time to time personified by a veteran band.
Amen Dunes – “I Don’t Mind”
Death Jokes
The unflinching creativity of Amen Dunes’ Damon McMahon becomes even more complex on Death Jokes. His psychedelic folk is intertwined with electronic drum patterns and colorful guitar work as short yet potent instrumental tracks round out the LP. “I Don’t Mind” is a bouncy example of McMahon’s approach to modern folk. Warping drums add an experimental feel to his already daring take on the genre, creating a song that is undoubtedly Amen Dunes.
Pokey LaFarge – “It’s Not Over”
Rhumba Country
Pokey LaFarge creates intimate portraits of nostalgic soulful Americana on Rhumba Country. The fuzzy textures of his production work create a lush bed for his touching words to rest. “It’s Not Over” is as catchy as it gets. The melodies carry the weight of young love as a colorful arrangement adds touches of jazzy soul and toe-tapping tempos.
Ghostface Killah – “Pair Of Hammers” (Feat. Method Man)
Set the Tone (Guns & Roses)
Wu-Tang Clan is forever, and Ghostface Killah puts this sentiment on his back. Set the Tone (Guns & Roses) is Ghostface’s first solo LP since 2019, and it features the rapper capturing the feel of old Wu material with a modern twist. “Pair Of Hammers” has Ghostface teaming up with Method Man in a flashback to 1993. The pair trade venomous rhymes over explosive drums and sleek horn samples, a nostalgic hip-hop concoction that will make everyone take back their “hip-hop is dead” comments.
Aaron Frazer – “Time Will Tell”
Into The Blue
The highly anticipated sophomore album of multi-hyphenate Aaron Frazer is set to be released on June 28. Expectations are high, considering the praise given to his 2021 debut. If the album sounds anything like “Time Will Tell,” fans will be pleasantly pleased and equally captured. The soulful new single features danceable grooves and soaring falsettos for a stunning song about allowing time to decide your fate.
Mach-Hommy & KAYTRANADA – “#RICHAXXHAITIAN” (Feat. 03 Greedo)
#RICHAXXHAITIAN
The elusive and mysterious Mach-Hommy has been teasing a new album over the past few months via social media posts from collaborators. This week, we got the first look at the upcoming project with the KAYTRANADA-produced, rhyme-fueled single “#RICHAXXHAITIAN.” This is the title track from the LP, which is set to be released on May 17. With an assist from West Coast’s 03 Greedo on the hook, Hommy flips KAYTRANADA’s electro-dance house instrumental into an onslaught of sterling flows and thought-provoking rhymes.
Fantasy of a broken heart – “Ur Heart Stops”
Feats of Engineering
Al Nardo and Bailey Wollowitz of Water From Your Eyes have branched into a psychedelic power-pop duo. Fantasy of a broken heart creates expansive soundscapes with conflicting melodies for a refreshing perspective. “Ur Heart Stops” is our first look at their debut LP, Feats of Engineering, set to be released on September 27. The single features breezy harmonies that give way to a lushness that makes the world stop for a second as you get lost in the complexity of their musicianship.
Wand – “Smile”
Vertigo
Crashing drums and crunchy guitars welcome you to Wand’s first LP since 2019. Vertigo will be released on July 26, and our lead single has the band picking up right where they left off. “Smile” is mesmerizing. Subtle vocals cut through searing guitar chords as the instrumental builds on itself to create an all-encompassing listening experience that is unpredictable and undeniably hypnotic.
GUM & Ambrose Kenny-Smith – “III Times”
III Times
Two members from some of the leading bands in modern psych-rock create their universe to frolic in on III Times. The duo comprises Gum’s Jay Watson and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s Ambrose Kenny-Smith. Their debut album, III Times, is set to be released on July 19, and the title track acts as our latest single. Taking psychedelic to a new level, the throat-scratching vocal performance matches funky synths and an avalanche of unpredictable guitars and head-spinning drums.
Conner Youngblood – “Blue Gatorade”
Cascades, Cascading, Cascadingly
This week, the announcement of Conner Youngblood’s new album hit the internet. Cascades, Cascading, Cascadingly is set to be released on September 6, and our latest single is the ambient beauty of “Blue Gatorade.” Centered around the idea of give and take, Youngblood employs an atmospheric approach to exploring the complexity of relationships. The meditative single has Youngblood flexing his vocal range over spurts of guitar and dense synth textures.
Arooj Aftab – “Whiskey”
Night Reign
Arooj Aftab has built a career off of redefining expectations. The chamber-pop she creates is tinted with subtle notes of jazz, neo-soul, and a lot of daring experimentation. Her new album, Night Reign, will arrive on May 31, and the single “Whiskey” is here to hold our hand into the journey. The quaint yet expansive single features stirring strings, heartfelt songwriting, and neo-classical undertones. Aftab creates soft yet impactful art that manifests into a genreless approach on “Whiskey.”
Boulevards – “What We Live For”
Carolina Funk: Barn Burner on Tobacco Road
The world of funk is alive and well as long as artists like Boulevards continue to create with their hearts. Jamil Rashad’s project has been releasing modern takes on funk’s golden age, and the artist’s natural knack for simplistic poetry fits perfectly with the nostalgic funk he gravitates toward. “What We Live For” is a space-aged ballad with Rashad searching for a purpose. Bright horns juxtapose the muted blues of the vocals for an unforgettable single from what is sure to be another excellent release from Boulevards.
Berlioz – “Something Will Happen”
Single
It was only a year ago that Berlioz made his presence felt in the modern jazz scene. He released a string of singles culminating in his Jazz is for ordinary people. Now, his uniquely danceable twist on jazz looks toward the future as Berlioz releases his second single of 2024. “Something Will Happen” has the electro-dance element of his work taking a back seat to groovy horn sections and otherworldly backing vocals for a raw example of Berlioz’s prowess as a producer.
