We’re heading into this weekend with some very exciting releases to help shake off whatever nonsense was thrown your way over these last few days. This week’s Caustic Commentary is nothing short of enthralling thanks to the wide selection of new albums and singles from across genres. We here at Glide always try to keep the songs we feature as diverse as possible to represent the vast amount of music that comes across our desks, but sometimes the stars align perfectly and the perfect mixture of tastes and sounds falls right into our lap. This week is one of those weeks with a list ranging from modern Detroit hip-hop to mind-altering folk from a new generation of songwriters.
Check out our picks for the best new music of the week below:
Explosions In the Sky – “Ten Billion People”
End
The return of the ever-evolving Explosions In the Sky could not sound more triumphant. The band has announced their first album in seven years in the form of End. The album is set to be released on September 15, lining up with the start of their tour. “Ten Billion People” is the sweeping lead single that begins with whimsical, neck-breaking drums only to transcend into a universe of crunchy guitars that soar and echo around grandiose drum rolls.
Sid Sriram – “The Hard Way”
Sidharth
A lead single can make or break the anticipation of an LP, Sid Sriram made sure to build the hype of his new album properly. “The Hard Way” welcomes us to Sidharth, the new album from Sriram which is due August 25. The single uses a collage of textures to find the middle ground of lush and hectic, allowing Sriram’s vocals to soar to new heights.
Butcher Brown – “This Side Of Sunshine”
Solar Music
The great Butcher Brown has a new album coming out October 6 titled Solar Music and the album’s latest single provides a glimmering look into the upcoming LP. “This Side of Sunshine” has the collective reimagining the Roy Ayres’ B-side through playful melodies and bright colors. The whistling flutes pair nicely with the whimsical synth work to provide a refreshing take on an underrated classic.
Squirrel Flower – “Full Time Job”
Tomorrow’s Fire
Acting as one of the two lead singles for her upcoming LP, Squirrel Flower is back with more emotionally open distortion. This week she announced Tomorrow’s Fire, which is set to be released on October 13 and the announcement brought us two guitar-heavy singles. “Full Time Job” feels larger than life despite its minimalistic arrangement that leans on dancing distortion, allowing the haunting vocals and downtrodden lyrics to set the tone for Squirrel Flower’s upcoming LP.
Mali Velasquez- “Tore”
I’m Green
This might be the first time you’re hearing the name Mali Velasquez and from this point on you’ll never forget it. The artist has recently inked a deal with Nashville’s Acrophase Records and is gearing up to release her debut album. I’m Green is set to be released on October 13 and the album’s lead single is our charismatic introduction to Velasquez’s unique approach to modern folk. “Tore” explores the nuances of conditional love through poetic storytelling while implementing moments of soaring guitars and warping synth work. Velasquez is here to make a statement with her debut and its lead single has us on the edge of our seat.
Flyte & Laura Marling – “Tough Love”
Flyte
Flyte’s latest offering builds on their unique approach to sentimental balladry the band introduced to us on their 2021 LP. This week, the anticipated follow-up gets an official release date with their self-titled album set to hit our ears on October 27. Flyte teamed up with Laura Marling for the acoustic duet “Tough Love”, a track whose gently layered guitars compliment its vague yet poignant poetry.
Blur – “Barbaric”
The Ballad Of Darren
Every time Blur decides to grace us with their presence it’s a cause for celebration. When the music they return with sounds like The Ballad Of Darren, the celebratory feeling in your gut doubles. The band’s latest LP traverses tempos while allowing the band to deploy expert harmonies with the chugging arrangement of “Barbaric” standing out above the rest. Damon Albarn’s falsetto sits atop glittery guitars as the band crafts what already feels like a timeless anthem.
Cut Worms – “Take It and Smile”
Cut Worms
Albums like the new Cut Worms self-titled release always seem to come at the right time. The album harkens back to a simpler time while detailing modern horrors and “Take It and Smile” has earned its stand-out status through grit and a great sense of tone. The track puts Cut Worms’ masterful songwriting on full display over a juxtaposing arrangement that pulls its twang from country and its view of the world from punk.
Black Milk – “No Wish” (Feat. Phonte & Raphael Saadiq)
Everybody Good?
From the desk of Detroit’s own Black Milk comes an enthralling album that allows its creator to display his artistic evolution through simple yet lively means. Everybody Good has Milk at his best, entirely self-produced besides the song we have here today, which got its instrumental from the legendary Raphael Saadiq. “No Wish” has Milk teaming up with Little Brother’s Phonte to display slick rhymes and undeniable chemistry. The minimal instrumental Saadiq crafted shows just enough color without taking away from the potent verses from the vocalist, a perfect recipe for otherworldly hip-hop.
Oscar Lang – “Crawl”
Look Now
Oscar Lang has been slowly carving a lane for himself while building a discography that is exciting and refreshing. Today, the multi-hyphenate artist releases his best album in the form of the bright and personal Look Now. The piano-driven LP shows us a new side of Lang as his songwriting sounds more robust than ever and his vocals more confident and prominent than past releases. “Crawl” puts Lang’s artistry on full display, the cascading melody over the cartoonish arrangement makes the song one of the more fun and infectious picks on this week’s list.
Denzel Curry – “BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ”
Single
For his first release since his critically acclaimed and creatively ambitious 2022 LP, Denzel Curry harkens back to his roots with a single that puts his sharp flows and slick wordplay on full display. Curry has performed this song live in the past and this week the single was officially released with a black-and-white music video to match the minimalistic aggression of the instrumental. Curry is coming back as determined as ever, “BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ” has the Florida-bred artist reminding us that outside of his unfiltered creativity and appreciation for all genres, his rapping should never be in question.