There is no better way to cap off a short work week than shifting through the plethora of new releases this fine Friday has brought us. Along with a looming sense of calm, as we prepare for a crisp fall, this Friday saw surprise releases from some of the biggest names in music. Everyone from your Dad’s favorite rock band to punk rock’s next all-stars released new music this week and those are just the singles. Full LPs brimming with experimentation can now be enjoyed at your own time and pace.
Check out Glide’s picks for the best new music of the week:
Sparklehorse – “Daddy’s Gone”
Bird Machine
Originally recorded in 2009 and lightly touched up by frontman Mark Linkous’ close friends and collaborators, the long-lost fifth Sparklehorse album is here in its full glory. Linkous had been sharing notes and updates with friends while he was creating these songs but were unfortunately never released before his untimely passing. After being unearthed by his brother Matt, Linkous’ nearly finished LP was fine-tuned and is here just in time for the cold weather. “Daddy’s Gone” is an early favorite, it is as gorgeous as acoustic pop can get as a lively arrangement twists around Linkous’ gentle melodies and vulnerable lyrics. You might recognize it from Linkous’s collaboration with producer Danger Mouse although this intimate version brings new life to the track.
Tirzah – “Promises”
Trip9love…???
In a surprise drop just before her anticipated upcoming fall tour, the elusive electro-R&B singer/songwriter Tirzah releases trip9love…???. For 11 songs, the mesmerizing vocalist traverses sparse yet hectic arrangements that utilize the silence in between the notes almost as much as the notes themselves. “Promises” features her signature falsetto gliding over neck-breaking drums for a blissful moment of soulful electronics.
Low Cut Connie – “DON’T GET FRESH WITH ME”
ART DEALERS
The singles for Low Cut Connie’s first new LP in three years were the perfect introduction. Their searing edge and fiery guitars are now juxtaposed with sentimental moments now that ART DEALERS has arrived in full. “DON’T GET FRESH WITH ME” finds the middle ground in this juxtaposition, a lively piano melody drives the bouncing arrangement as the vocals paint vivid images with moving poetry.
Black Market Brass – “A Web, A Knot, A Tangle”
Hox
In a hurricane of shifting melodies and syncopated drum patterns, Black Market Brass just released a statement piece. Hox is the band’s most ambitious album to date and also, arguably, their best. “A Web, A Knot, A Tangle” is an early favorite from the grandiose LP, With an unpredictable structure the song is able to shapeshift between jazzy horns to sparse yet hard-hitting drum solos.
James Blake – “Fire The Editor”
Playing Robots Into Heaven
Forget everything you know about James Blake, he just released his most ambitious album to date. Playing Robots Into Heaven has the artist experimenting with his signature sound more than ever as he crafts shifting arrangements for his warping vocals. “Fire The Editor” feels like the perfect marriage of Blake’s past and his future, his vocals seemingly melting over a weeping electro-soul arrangement.
The Handsome Family – “Shady Lake”
Hollow
The duo known as The Handsome Family has returned with a new LP simply bursting with soft-handed alt-country euphoria. Hollow is out today and “Shady Lake” is one of the album’s purest moments. A sweeping arrangement with just enough twang acts as a canvas for the bright and relaxing imagery of the novelistic songwriting.
Courtney Barnett & Stella Mozgawa – “River”
End Of The Day (music from the film Anonymous Club)
The duo of Courtney Barnett and Warpaint drummer Stella Mozgawa crafted a beautifully ambient soundtrack for Barnett’s documentary. “Anonymous Club” follows Barnett on a world tour and is directed by collaborator Danny Cohen, End Of The Day puts the story to music. “River” is the perfect synopsis of this LP, ambient synths are sprinkled with outlaw-style guitar tones that creep in gently like a fog.
Deeper – “Airplane Air”
Careful!
Deeper’s third LP has come to redefine the sentiment of “everything we could’ve hoped for and more”. The band is able to pack an otherworldly amount of personality and versatility into their minimal approach, always adding new colors to their sonic world. Careful! is out today and “Airplane Air” is an early stand-out from the non-single tracks. The sparse lyrics are delivered in spurts of energy as a loose guitar melody drives the ambient arrangement.
Jalen Ngonda – “It Takes a Fool”
Come Around and Love Me
On his highly anticipated Daptone Records debut, soul-man Jalen Ngonda does more than surpass expectations, he sets a new bar for modern soul. Come Around and Love Me comes with an undeniable rawness that sets Ngonda apart from his peers with “It Takes a Fool” carrying a very specific brand of nostalgia. The hints of jazz that line this soulful track bring out the nuances of Ngonda’s artistry, a perfect recipe for earth-shattering soul.
Soul Glo – “If I Speak (Shut the Fuck up)”
Single
Philadelphia-bred hardcore thrashers have emerged with a brand-new single and it only deepens our love for the band. “If I Speak (Shut the Fuck up)” is pure Soul Glo as throat-scratching vocals punch you in the gut as a finely-tuned song structure contains enough distortion and melodic chaos to keep the punk side of your brain satisfied until further notice.
The Rolling Stones – “Angry”
Hackney Diamonds
The legendary Rolling Stones are returning with their first new album of original material since 2005 and the lead single is one you don’t want to miss. Hackney Diamonds is set to be released on October 20 and “Angry” has day-one Stones fans and new fanatics excited. “Angry” is pure Stones, a rocking, guitar-driven arrangement that pushes the song forward as the searing vocals deliver minimal yet impactful lyrics.
Parcels – “Reflex (from Le Palace, Paris)”
Live Vol. 2
Originally recorded at a secret gig in Paris last year, Parcels has announced their latest creation. Live Vol. 2 is set to be released on October 20 and will feature a full night of music including “Reflex”, the album’s cosmic lead single. Twinkling piano melodies line a hypnotic dance-pop arrangement as vocals only appear when needed, this instrumental is more than enough.
