Just when it was looking like a slow week for new music, Friday brought us enough releases to last us the rest of the month. Photos of celebrities in silly outfits drowned our news feeds but under all those cat outfits was a plethora of amazing albums and singles just waiting to accompany you into the weekend. A week this good is happening far too often in 2023, we’re starting to get spoiled with releases from A-list acts to some of our underground heroes.
Check out Glide’s picks for the best new releases of the week below:
Alan Palomo – “Nudista Mundial ‘89” (Feat. Mac Demarco)
Single
You may know him as the frontman of the groundbreaking chillwave group Neon Indian, but Alan Palomo is looking to step out on his own. His debut solo single features synth-drenched grooves and infectious melodies that harken back to the late disco years. With the help of Mac Demarco, Palomo made a statement with his debut solo single, a statement we won’t soon forget as we wait for his next steps as a soloist.
The Milk Carton Kids – “North Country Ride”
I Only See The Moon
Coming from their upcoming LP, The Milk Carton Kids release a single that makes the minimal feel bold. “North Country Ride” is the latest single from the group’s upcoming album, I Only See The Moon, set to be released on May 19 via Far Cry Records. The new single brings a new level of balladry to folk with the group deploying masterful storytelling over melancholy acoustic plucking for a simply beautiful track.
Oscar Lang – “One Foot First”
Look Now
Singer/songwriter Oscar Lang is finally gearing up for the release of his new LP and each single builds the hype around the release. Look Now is set to release on July 21 via Dirty Hit Records and this week saw Lang release the latest single, “One Foot First”. The multi-dimensional track showcases Lang’s natural control of tone as he croons over a soaring arrangement that features huge swells of instrumentation as much as it explores a softer sound.
Jim O’Rourke – “A Man’s Mind Will Play Tricks On Him”
Hands That Bind (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
The sonic chameleon that is Jim O’Rourke is no stranger to soundtrack work and it looks like his next gig is going to be even better than his past work. O’Rourke was tasked with providing the soundtrack to Kyle Armstrong’s new film, “Hands That Bind” and the first single from the full soundtrack is, in one word, magical. O’Rourke creates a soft instrumental that glides like a cloud against the sky with terrific use of bass and just enough beauty to keep you locked into the looping beat. The full soundtrack will be released via Drag City on July 7.
Aries – “SNAKE EYES”
Single
One of pop’s brightest young stars makes an explosive return with his brand-new single. “SNAKE EYES” is filled with highly flammable poetry set to searing guitar chords and a bounce that will stick with you for the next few weeks. This single acts as a proper follow-up to Aries’ incredible 2021 LP, BELIEVE IN ME, WHO BELIEVES IN YOU. As we all hope that “SNAKE EYES” is the start of an album roll-out, let’s enjoy the blistering new single in all its pop-punk glory.
Bethany Cosentino – “It’s Fine”
Natural Disaster
For her proper solo debut single, Beast Coast’s frontwoman Bethany Cosentino gets a lot off her chest. “It’s Fine” acts as a combustible country precursor to Cosentino’s solo debut, Natural Disaster, which is set to be released on July 28 via Concord Records. The new single feels like our first time meeting the true Bethany Cosentino as she crafts a pop-riddled twangy anthem that puts the range of her voice on full display.
Durand Jones – “I Want You”
Wait Til I Get Over
On his first time releasing music as a solo artist, the soulful Durand Jones reintroduced himself as a creative force that is willing to push the boundaries of his genre. Wait Til I Get Over is the debut solo album from The Indications frontman that forces you to rethink not only what you know about the man himself but everything else he has touched musically. “I Want You” encapsulates this idea, Jones uses a classic soul melody over a spastic drum pattern that makes the instrumental feel off-kilter, adding a level of nuanced artistry to an otherwise straightforward soul track.
Billy Woods – “Year Zero” (Feat. Danny Brown)
Maps
The faceless New York poet known as Billy Woods reconnects with super-producer Kenny Segal for Maps, the full-length follow-up to their highly acclaimed 2019 album Hiding Places. The new LP picks up right where the duo left off, in a cloud of minimal production that bounces from jazz to industrial, all to support Woods’ dark verses that function on high-level pessimism. “Year Zero” is a highlight from the LP, a sinister drum pattern pushes the instrumental forward as Woods and special guest Danny Brown spit immaculate verses that bring a raw energy to the song.
The Lemon Twigs – “Still It’s Not Enough”
Everything Harmony
The Lemon Twigs have resurfaced with a collection of new tracks that continue to build on their impressive discography. Everything Harmony is the latest chapter in their acoustic memoir and has the band in top form. “Still It’s Not Enough” features the duo’s vague poetry over a minimal instrumental that features just enough changes in textures to add new colors to this otherwise melancholy track.
Drain – “Weight Of The World”
LIVING PROOF
All praise to the punk gods, Drain has finally returned with a brand new, full-length album. LIVING PROOF features 10 ballistic tracks from the new faces of hardcore punk and “Weight Of The World” sums up the thrashing vocals and spastic arrangments that make up the new album. The track features lyrics penned by someone who has been pushed to the edge as throat-scratching vocals fall all over the face-melting musicianship that attempts to sum up the band’s frustrations.
