The sun now sets at 4 p.m. and that always seems to take a toll on people’s playlist. The cloudy days end early as you see the sun resting on the horizon before you even finish work changes how you approach your day and, more importantly, changes the music you’re listening to. Yes, the holiday season has arrived yet musicians across the world continue to release jaw-dropping LPs and fantastic singles. While October has historically always felt a little slow, November is holding nothing back. Everything from outlaw country created in the South to high-level hip-hop from New York City is represented on this week’s list, so sit back and discover something new to take you into your weekend.
Check out Glide’s picks for the best new music of the week below:
Vincent Neil Emerson – “Hang Your Head Down Low”
The Golden Crystal Kingdom
The genre of country has seen a resurgence of some sort over the past four years and artists like Vincent Neil Emerson are keeping age-old traditions alive. Emerson’s new album, The Golden Crystal Kingdom, is out today and it is one of the best country releases you’ll hear all year. The artist seamlessly combines classic outlaw with modern country tropes for an album brimming with unique personality and twangy arrangements. “Hang Your Head Down Low” is one of the more up-tempo moments on the album as Emerson pens a barn burner of a two-stepping anthem.
Aesop Rock – “Pigeonometry”
Integrated Tech Solutions
The veteran and always-impressive producer/rapper Aesop Rock always has a trick up his sleeve when he announces a new album, but no one was expecting his latest release. Integrated Tech Solutions is a stunning display of murky instrumentals and sleek rhyme schemes telling tales, all delivered by Rock’s signature relaxed yet potent flows. “Pigeonometry” has Rock’s storytelling reaching new heights over a wonky arrangement.
Beirut – “Baion”
Hadsel
Created in the snow mountains of Norway, Beirut has returned after a nearly four-year drought. Hadsel is the ambient yet dense and palpable release from the lo-fi indie project of Zach Condon and their latest release is shaping up to be some of their best music yet. Hadsel is finally ours to enjoy and “Baion” is an easy contestant for best song on the LP. A tapping drum pattern allows a lush acoustic section to chime in before Condon’s beautifully layered vocals and slick horn section take the spotlight.
Cat Power – “Baby, Let Me Follow You Down”
Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert
Cat Power never ceases to amaze and impress but her latest live album from 1966 is something that can’t be described in one word. Cat Power Sings Dylan was recorded at the gorgeous Royal Albert Hall as Power covers some of Bob Dylan’s best work. “Baby, Let Me Follow You Down” has Power’s vocals echoing through the iconic venue as a twangy guitar solo rounds out the incredible cover. If anyone can do Dylan justice, it’s Cat Power.
Chris Stapleton – “Loving You On My Mind”
Higher
The country powerhouse Chris Stapleton has returned with his latest release and it is everything we could’ve asked for, and more. Higher is a gorgeously twangy outing with a soulful twist as Stapleton navigates the genre with immense ease. “Loving You On My Mind” is an early stand-out with Stapleton crooning over a gospel-inspired southern fried arrangement for a beautiful display of his vocal range.
Daniel Donato – “Half Moon Night”
Reflector
Along with other powerful country stars, Daniel Donato throws their hat in the ring for best country release of the year. Reflector has the artist traversing an array of tones and tempos with “Half Moon Night” standing tall amongst the impressive tracklist. The blistering tempos have Donato’s acrobatic vocals putting on a clinic of classic two-steppin’ country.
Jesse Kivel – “Puzzles in the Grass”
Life and Death at Party Rock
The long-awaited sophomore LP of the ever-impressive Jesse Kivel has finally arrived and nothing, not even the fantastic singles, could have prepared us for it. Life and Death at Party Rock puts the artist’s diversity on full display as his poetic songwriting traverses a plethora of airy arrangements. “Puzzles in the Grass” is a slow-burning guitar ballad dedicated to the simple things in life as Kivel’s songwriting evolves over the controlled chaos of the arrangement.
Jonah Yano – “Concentrate”
Single
The folk-inspired singer/songwriter Jonah Yano already released one of the best albums of the year with the BADBADNOTGOOD produced Portrait of a Dog, and it seems like he’s not stopping there. “Concentrate” has Yano traversing a shifting arrangement with ease as he follows up a jaw-dropping album with an equally jazzy single.
Glass Beach – “Rare Animal”
Plastic Death
The ever-impressive and unpredictable indie outfit Glass Beach is finally prepping a follow-up to their unforgettable debut. Plastic Death is set to be released on January 19 and if its latest single is any hint at the rest of the LP, we’re on for something special. “Rare Animal” is an abstract interpretation of the modern alternative rock scene as the band pieces together an arrangement that explodes in technicolored bliss.
Ty Segall – “My Room”
Three Bells
The diverse psychedelic nature of Ty Segall always leaves us questioning what’s next for the multi-faceted artist, and we’re getting our next answer very soon. Three Bells is the artist’s latest creation and it is set to be released on January 26. “My Room” is the third single from the album and its spurts of distortion have Segall’s vocals cascading over unpredictable and shredding instrumental.
Fabiana Palladino & Jai Paul – “I Care”
Single
The elusive yet ever-present Jai Paul emerged out of nowhere earlier this year with a string of live performances, and his silence has finally been broken. “I Care” is the artist’s first single since 2019 and it is a modern twist on a Motown duet. Fabiana Palladino navigates a rocky yet soulful arrangement with Paul sliding in for a lesson in musical chemistry.
Gruff Rhys – “Silver Lining (Lead Balloons)”
Sadness Sets Me Free
The prolific Gruff Rhys is gifting the world with another brand-new album and its latest single puts our anticipation at a whole new level. Sadness Sets Me Free is set to be released on January 26 via Rough Trade Records and “Silver Lining (Lead Balloons) is our contradicting single. The latest sneak peek has Rhys penning sentimental poetry over an infectious drum pattern for a noteworthy single from a veteran star.
Sinkane – “Everything is Everything” (Feat. Tru Osborne)
Single
The multi-faceted and consistently impressive work of Sinkane feels timeless with just one listen, and their latest single emphasizes this sentiment. “Everything is Everything” is the powerful new single from the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist. Bringing along a soulful and expansive arrangement, Sinkane navigates it all with ease as he delivers heartfelt melodies along with angelic backing vocals.
