It is officially the last month of 2023 and with every ending comes a world of possibilities. 2024 is already shaping up to be a fantastic year in music with some of the most exciting young acts preparing to release LPs at the top of the new year. Before we get there, we still have a few new music Fridays to get through and this week’s isn’t one to skip over. This week’s list ranges from artsy pop records to jangling blues tunes along with the return from some of the most innovative artists in recent memory.
Check out Glide’s picks for this week’s best new music:
Peter Gabriel – “Live and Let Live (Bright-Side Mix)”
i/o
Throughout 2023, there were 12 full moons and Peter Gabriel released a single on every one of them. This culminated in i/o, Gabriel’s first LP of new material in over twenty years and it is as mesmerizing as the night sky that influenced its release schedule. Gabriel’s voice sounds as warm as ever over expansive arrangements for a mystical LP brimming with bright colors and poetic lyricism. “Live and Let Live” was the last single released for the album and one of its most stunning, Gabriel’s voice is drenched in optimism as soaring backing vocals glide over a slow-burning and dense arrangement.
Minor Threat – “Addams Family”
Out of Step Outtakes – EP
Minor Threat is one of the most influential punk bands of all time and their equally impactful studio LP, Out of Step turned 40 in 2023. To celebrate the occasion, the band released three outtakes from the recording of the album, and each one is uniquely chaotic. “Addams Family” is a thrashing, mostly instrumental piece that is overflowing with the raw energy that gave Minor Threat its unwavering longevity.
Real Estate – “Water Underground”
Daniel
The acoustic strumming that drives the lead single for Real Estate’s new album Daniel is possibly the best part of this week’s list. “Water Underground” showcases the infectious melodies of New Jersey’s Real Estate as the band preps for their brand new album. Daniel is set to be released on February 23 and “Water Underground” showcases a stripped-downed version of the band as their breeze-like vocals feel as light as a feather.
Katy Kirby – “Party of the Century”
Blue Raspberry
Katy Kirby’s new album is easily one of the most anticipated albums of the new year and its latest single shows exactly why. “Party of the Century” showcases Kirby’s wispy vocals over gentle guitar plucking and lush strings to round out the minimal ballad. Blue Raspberry is set to be released on January 26 via Anti Records.
Glitterer – “Just a Place”
Rationale
Another gift from the good people over at Anti, Glitterer is preparing to release what is already sounding like some of their best work. Rationale is set to be released on February 23 and its two singles are enough to convince us we have something special on the horizon. “Just a Place” is our second and latest single with crunchy textures that anchor the ethereal vocals to earth.
Cody Dickinson – “All Night Long”
Single
With ink freshly dried on his new deal with Petaluma Records, Cody Dickinson wastes no time making his presence felt on his new label. “All Night Long” is his rambunctious take on the classic blues tune as the artist pieces together a neck-breaking arrangement to modernize the Junior Kimbrough-penned track. It is the first taste of Dickinson’s Petaluma debut set to be released in the late spring of 2024.
The Jesus and Mary Chain – “jamcod”
Glasgow Eyes
40 years into their career, the duo Jesus and Mary Chain are still releasing otherworldly, off-kilter pop records with a touch of electronic bounciness. Glasgow Eyes is the band’s latest creation and will be available to the world on March 9. The lead single “jamcod” is an unforgettable journey through wonky melodies and catchy beeps for a statement-making release from some veteran talents.
Chelsea Wolfe – “Tunnel Lights”
She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She
Chelsea Wolfe crafts cosmic pop ballads with a touch of murky pageantry and her new album is already shaping up to be something truly special. She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She is set to be released on February 9 and its latest single should give you every reason to mark that date in your calendar. “Tunnel Lights” juxtaposes dark tones with an off-kilter song structure as Wolfe croons over an unpredictable and wildly entertaining arrangement for the best single from her upcoming LP yet.
MGMT – “Bubblegum Dog”
Loss Of Life
MGMT have been rolling out their new album via fun yet cryptic posts to social media and it feels like everything will be worth it. Loss Of Life is shaping up to be the band’s best album in years and “Bubblegum Dog” showcases exactly why. The latest single features hauntingly beautiful vocals over a kaleidoscope-style arrangement. Loss Of Life is set to be released on February 23.
Yard Act – “Petroleum”
Where’s My Utopia?
All eyes are on Yard Act as the critically acclaimed band gets ready for the most important release of their career. Where’s My Utopia? is the band’s sophomore effort set to be released on March 1 and it should be at the top of your list of albums to look out for in 2024. “Petroleum” is the undeniably infectious new single with distorted guitars that bleed over the rest of the funky arrangement for a noteworthy single from an exciting young band.
The High Llamas – “Hey Panda”
Hey Panda
For their first album in eight years, The High Llamas returns with one of the best singles we’ve heard all year. “Hey Panda ” is the title track from the Llamas’s long-awaited return set to be released on March 29. If the first single is any hint at what is to come, the wait will be well worth it. The band crafts an adorable ballad with a minimal sound that stays exciting thanks to the gentle vocals and spurts of instrumentation.
Chuck Strangers – “A Forsaken Lover’s Plea”
A Forsaken Lover’s Plea
For years now, emcee/producer Chuck Strangers has been releasing insanely impressive projects with some of the most sleek rhyme schemes in hip-hop. A Forsaken Lover’s Plea is his latest offering set to be released on March 15 and its title track serves as our first single. Over a hazy instrumental, Strangers puts on the performance of a lifetime as his songwriting reaches new levels of jaw-dropping. A Forsaken Lover’s Plea is not an album, or single, you can ignore.