I said it once and I’ll say it again, 2023 is shaping up to be the best year of music in recent memory. This week is not going to change anyone’s mind as legendary acts make explosive returns and new favorites prep debuts that we all hope to live up to the expectations. This week we have one of our most diverse lists in a while, with twangy ballads to off-kilter pop creating a soft soundscape only for abrasive yet enticing punk to bring in a hard edge.
Check out Glide’s picks for the best new music of the week below.
Gouge Away – “Idealized”
Single
For the first time in three years, Florida’s Gouge Away is back with new music. Ahead of their upcoming east coast tour, the post-hardcore band released “Idealized”. The track features throat-scratching vocals set to a wall of sound that could penetrate a brick wall with ease.
Les Imprimés – “Falling Away”
Rêverie
Only a few months after finding a home at Big Crown Records, the soulful Les Imprimés is ready to introduce himself to the world. The artist’s Big Crown debut, Rêverie, is set to release on August 11 and will feature the terrific new single “Falling Away”. The song has the artist adding an infectious bounce to his well-documented stirring vocals.
Local Natives – “NYE”
Time Will Wait For No One
The time has finally arrived for brand new music from California’s Local Natives. This week, the band announced their first album since 2019’s Violet Street and will include their brand new single, “NYE”. The blazing new track features melodies that soar over a bed of blistering tempos, all lifting the song’s longing lyrics up to a whole new level. Their new album Time Will Wait For No One will arrive on July 7 via Loma Vista.
Jenny Lewis – “Giddy Up”
Joy’all
The latest single from the crooner’s upcoming LP only continues to add to the anticipation of the full release. Jenny Lewis has her eyes set on June 9 for the release of her new album Joy’all which will feature the new single “Giddy Up”. The song leans on psychedelic tropes in order to create the cosmic textures Lewis uses to deploy her velvet-lined voice.
Tinariwen – “Anemouhagh”
Amatssou
Everyone has one of those bands that seemingly improve with every release, Tinariwen is one of those bands. The world-renowned band has been gearing up for a trip to the U.S. to tour their new album, Amatssou, which will be released in full on May 19. “Anemouhagh” features Tinariwen’s signature harmonies over an instrumental with twists and turns that keep these rhythms stuck in your head long after you hear the track.
Youth Lagoon – “The Sling”
Heaven Is A Junkyard
For the first time since 2015, Youth Lagoon has returned with new music. The celebrated band will be releasing their new album, Heaven Is A Junkyard, on June 9 via Fat Possum Records. “The Sling” is our latest look into the LP, the off-kilter ballad features wiery vocals that stretch the minimal instrumental into a psychic ballad of unbelievably heavy emotions.
Night Beats – “Thank You”
Rajan
Some songs just hit you immediately and plant themselves in your mind, the latest release from Night Beats has that ideology written all over it. Their unpredictable new single “Thank You” features crashing drums and flying guitar solos that all come together to create a gospel-influenced rock track. Rajan, the new album from Night Beats, will be released on July 14.
Queens Of The Stone Age – “Emotion Sickness”
In Times New Roman
Nothing compares to a veteran band rearing their heads and a band with a long history of creating otherworldly rock that redefines the genre itself. Queens Of The Stone Age are releasing their first album since 2017, In Times New Roman is set to release on June 16 and our first look into the LP has fans and newcomers alike entranced. “Emotion Sickness” is a bluesy rock track that features clunky melodies with just enough twang to usher in a new era for Queens Of The Stone Age.
Pretenders – “Let The Sun Come In”
Relentless
2023 is shaping up to be the year of Pretenders. Ahead of a massive touring schedule that includes opening up for Guns N’ Roses, the band will release their brand new album Relentless on September 1. The first single from the upcoming LP, “Let The Sun Come In” is the blistering single that has the band at their best, unwavering guitar melodies usher in the song just before the edgy vocals come in to share the spotlight.
Ben Harper – “Love After Love”
Wide Open Light
Following up on his terrific 2022 LP, singer/songwriter Ben Harper is already gearing up to release another batch of songs. Wide Open Light will be ours for the listening on June 2 and the latest single isn’t leaving our rotation anytime soon. “Love After Love” is a beautifully haunting ballad that leans on the minimalism of the arrangement to convey the complex emotions expressed in the lyrics, making for a vulnerable new single.
The Drums – “Plastic Envelope”
Single
The Drums released their comeback single last month and will be embarking on a full tour this summer, they are using this time in between the two to continue releasing addictive singles. “Plastic Envelope” still feels murky despite its bright tempos, creating a juxtaposing song that pulls on the heartstrings as much as it gets you out of your seat. The track was joined by a second single “Protect Him Always” which acts as an outro of sorts to “Plastic Envelope” to create an interesting two-pack single for The Drums to bring on tour with them.
Albert Hammond Jr. – “Libertude”
Melodies On Hiatus
Early this week, Albert Hammond Jr. released the first nine songs of his upcoming LP. Melodies On Hiatus will be released in full on June 23 but until then, we have almost half the album at our fingertips. “Libertude” is the drum-driven stand-out that comes with Hammond’s signature vocal delivery over a bounce that elevates the longing in the lyrics.
