This week falls in line with the rest of the new music Fridays of 2023 with the fact that we have a plethora of new releases to dig through. From the smoothest jazz to the most chaotic punk, this Friday has provided us with the perfect soundtrack to whatever emotion you’re leaving the work week with. Regardless of whether it was a tremendous week in the office or one that you hope to forget we have a list of new songs to help ring in a much-deserved break or, help you escape into the weekend. This week feels particularly special with every song featured brimming with personal experiences that are set to moving instrumentation, music just waiting to become meaningful to someone.
Without further ado, Glide is here to provide you with the best new music of the week. Check out our favorite releases below:
Sufjan Stevens – “So You Are Tired”
Javelin
Very few artists can evoke such a visceral feeling quite Sufjan Stevens and his latest single proves this sentiment. The acclaimed singer/songwriter is returning with his new album, Javelin, on October 6, and the album’s lead single sets high expectations. “So You Are Tired” welcomes us to this new era of Sufjan Stevens, it is a moving piece of poetry set to acoustic bliss tinged with heaven-sent harmonies.
Genesis Owusu – “The Old Man”
STRUGGLER
Genesis Owusu had the entire world watching him and his sophomore album left all of those eyes stuck in a shocked position. STRUGGLER arrives two years after his critically acclaimed debut and brings with it the same unique artistry that captured all of our ears initially. “The Old Man” sums up the chaotic, thought-provoking concept of Owusu’s sophomore LP, a hectic instrumental that provides an appropriate canvas for the artist’s contemplative songwriting.
Cherry Glazerr – “Ready For You”
I Don’t Want You Anymore
The anticipation around the new Cherry Glazerr album was already tremendously high and its latest single only builds on the hype. The Los Angeles-bred alternative rock icons are preparing to drop I Don’t Want You Anymore on September 29 and their latest single is an essential listen on this new music Friday. In a flurry of contained punk, their sentimental songwriting delivered by passionate vocals cut through a distorted arrangement that swells and breaks down, putting the listener through a roller coaster of pure musicianship.
Pale Jay – “My Dirty Desire”
Bewilderment
One of the brightest stars in modern soul has finally surfaced with a stellar sophomore LP. Bewilderment is the quick yet potent new album from multi-hyphenate Pale Jay and the artist has crafted an album worthy of the excitement that surrounds it. “My Dirty Desire” does a great job of summing up the album, a beautifully lush arrangement allows Pale Jay to get his deepest thoughts out via falsettos that will have you second-guessing your “best albums of the year” list.
Blu & Real Bad Man – “Aladdin”
Bad News
Our first look into the upcoming collaborative LP from Hip-hop icon Blu and producer Real Bad Man is a stellar one. “Aladdin” has the duo debuting their natural chemistry on a relaxed single that evokes nostalgic lyricism over futuristic musicianship. While the details on Bad News are sparse, even the album title is only lifted from an Instagram post, “Aladdin” should have everyone on the lookout for future news on this dream collaboration.
Mapache – “Sammy Boy”
Swinging Stars
It is almost unbelievable that Mapache has outdone themselves again but their newest album finds the duo in a refreshing creative space. Swinging Stars is the band’s fantastic new LP that is overflowing with introspective folk tinged with psychedelic tendencies. “Sammy Boy” only begins to showcase the creative prowess Mapache has reached, a minimal arrangement carries the powerful songwriting combining for a moving piece of music.
The National – “Alphabet City”
Single
Following up on the praise garnered by their recently released First Two Pages of Frankenstein LP, The National are wasting no time providing their fans with new music. This week, the band released two singles in the form of the nearly seven-minute odyssey “Space Invader” and the more sentimental “Alphabet City”. The latter provides an abstract arrangement that allows the lyrics to follow suit in an emotional display of vulnerability.
Buffalo Nichols – “The Difference”
The Fatalist
Buffalo Nichols has one of those voices that are simply unforgettable and when it is paired with his poetic songwriting, it creates an unexplainable magic in the air. With his highly anticipated album, The Fatalist, set to be released on September 15, the latest single arrives in a cloud of bluesy nirvana. “The Difference” has Nichols painting an emotional portrait over acoustic strumming that reaches deep into your soul and refuses to let go.
Shamir – “Obsession”
Homo Anxietatem
Just days before the release of their fantastic new LP, Shamir provided the world with one final glimpse into Homo Anxietatem. The full album is out today and we can’t recommend it more but there is something special about the final single from the album. “Obsession” has the artist crooning over a fuzzy guitar-driven instrumental, a passionate performance with replay value beyond your wildest dreams.
Cautious Clay – “My Tide Is My Witness”
KARPEH
In a hurricane of jazz-influenced instrumentals, Cautious Clay steals the show with vocal performances worthy of a double-take. His new LP, KARPEH, might be the best release of the week, and “My Tide Is My Witness” is the golden child of the bunch. A neck-breaking drum pattern provides just enough edge to the dream-like vocals that guide you through a hectic display of expertly-crafted neo-soul.
Moondaddy – “Still”
Poet Lies
The debut album from moondaddy has finally arrived in its full glory and simply saying it “lived up to the hype” does a great disservice to the lush textures of this LP. Poet Lies is filled with sonic dreamscapes lined with velvet guitar riffs and “Still” is the heavy-hearted outro to this fantastic debut. The dancing falsettos pair nicely with the crying guitar and dense textures, a fitting goodbye to an album filled with similar sonic twists and turns.
