The gray gloomy gust of winter storms continues to cloak the area with a certain bleakness. Bleak enough to force a sigh out of you while you make your morning coffee but not bleak enough to keep these glistening new songs from illuminating this Friday. Another work week to mark off the calendar has arrived and the slew of new music it brought with it is nothing short of mesmerizing. This week we have some psych-rock that will have your head spinning paired with some slick rhyme schemes from some of rap’s most exciting young talents.
Check out Glide’s picks for the best new music of the week below.
Ty Segall – “To You”
Three Bells
Everyone stop what you’re doing, Ty Segall’s new album is finally here and it is demanding your undivided attention. It may be too early to say, but Three Bells might be Segall’s best album to date. The multi-hyphenate has crafted a monstrous LP filled with psych-rock bliss being uplifted by unpredictable arrangements and hauntingly beautiful vocals. “To You” is up there with the album’s most abstract offerings, with multiple mood changes and looming vocals the track encompasses everything great about Three Bells, although a front-to-back listen is required to fully digest all that is magical about these songs.
The Smile – “Read the Room”
Wall of Eyes
The Smile has finally released its highly anticipated sophomore LP and it is bursting with even more off-kilter art rock than we could’ve dreamed of. The extensive and psychedelic Wall of Eyes is out today and it is an otherworldly listening experience. “Read the Room” doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the sonic easter eggs that wait within this album, but its screeching vocals and syncopated drums combined with moments of blissful acoustic guitar is a good place to start.
Office Dog – “Tightropes”
Spiel
We all entered 2024 with our expectations set high for Office Dog’s debut, and the young band did not disappoint. Spiel showcases a band with a tight grasp on their songwriting skills fearlessly venturing into more abstract territory. “Tightropes” features some of that fearlessness, the lead vocals form a sharp edge with its melodies while stunning guitar tones and masterful drums fill out the rest of this murky indie rock track.
Goth Babe – “Sun Comes Up”
Lola
Just when the gloomy winter was beginning to feel unbearable, Goth Babe releases a reminder that the sun is right around the corner. Lola is the debut LP from the bedroom pop singer/songwriter and it is as infectious as it is impressive. “Sun Comes Up” is just one example of the technicolored and danceable melodies this LP has to offer, spurts of guitar are sprinkled behind Goth Babe’s vocals for an undeniably fun listen you won’t forget anytime soon.
Willi Carlisle – “The Arrangements”
Critterland
Folk star Willi Carlisle finally released his new album Critterland and for any fans of the genre, this is the album you need this week. Carlisle navigates difficult subject matter via vivid imagery and minimal yet potent arrangements. “The Arrangements” is a song about preparing a funeral for someone you won’t miss, a bleak observation but when put into the magical storytelling of Carlisle, you’re transported into the shoes of the character to discover a deep empathy for the dead and the living.
Gruff Rhys – “Peace Signs”
Sadness Sets Me Free
On his latest offering, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Gruff Rhys creates off-kilter pop balladry that explores the artist’s surroundings. He poetically describes how feeling even the darkest emotion is better than not feeling at all while filtering the happenings around him through his veteran musical lens. “Peace Signs” is a bleak yet bouncy track with Rhys belting out notes over chugging pianos and infectious drums.
Cheekface – “Grad School”
It’s Sorted
With little to no warning, indie rock golden child Cheekface released a full-length studio effort. An unconventional means to releasing an album, but since when have we gone to Cheekface for normalcy? It’s Sorted has the band venturing into new territory for a welcomed change to their infectious pop-punk style sound. “Grad School” has the band injecting the warmth of brass into their fast-paced tempos and tongue-in-cheek (no pun intended) lyricism.
Jim White – “Names Make The Name”
All Hits: Memories
After years of playing with some of the most beloved artists of the past few years, legendary percussionist Jim White is gearing up to release his first solo album. All Hits: Memories is set to be released on March 29 via Drag City Records and the lead single acts as a proper introduction to White’s style. A beautifully syncopated drum pocket echoes throughout the entire track, a jazzy single to welcome us to a long overdue solo project.
Brainstory – “Hanging On”
Sounds Good
The retro-soul group Brainstory has announced its brand new album for Big Crown Records. Sounds Good is set to be released on April 19 and promises to be another soulful outing filled with lush melodies from the group. “Hanging On” is our lo-fi modern soul taste of the upcoming release, stunning melodies fall like autumn leaves over a minimal electronic-tinged arrangement.
Previous Industries – “Showbiz”
Single
Previous Industries is the new hip-hop supergroup consisting of Open Mike Eagle, Still Rift, and Video Dave and they are making sure you never forget the name. Their debut double-single showcases their unique chemistry with each member showcasing their idiosyncratic writing styles and delivery. “Showbiz” has the trio injecting tropes from 90’s hip-hop into their modern dusty style for an unforgettable posse cut and a statement piece of a debut single.
Hiatus Kaiyote – “Everything’s Beautiful”
Single
The triumphant return of Australian soul band Hiatus Kaiyote sounds even sweeter than we could’ve imagined. The funky single “Everything’s Beautiful” marks the band’s first release, the 2022 release of their remix album for their studio effort Mood Valiant. The new single is a funky gospel cut lined with smooth melodies and optimistic lyrics, the perfect shot of positivity right to the veins, right when you need it.
Squid – “Fugue (Bin Song)”
Single
A song that was a part of the band’s live set for a hot minute is now ours to take with us wherever we go. The song was recorded during the band’s 2023 LP O Monolith sessions and played live as “Fugue” leading up to its anticipated studio release. The moody strings set the tone as the arrangement builds on itself for a post-punk whirlwind while the band’s signature vocals slide into your peripheral vision for a mellow Squid classic.
The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis – “Emergence”
The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis
The experimental instrumental trio The Messthetics has teamed up with iconic sax-master James Brandon Lewis for a brand new album promising to be filled with color and wonder. The self-titled effort will be released on March 15 and its lead single is simply electrifying. The blistering “Emergence” is aptly named and fiercely infectious. Melodies crash land from another planet as Lewis takes control with soaring musicianship that keeps up with the punk-influenced tempos of The Messthetics.
Chuck Strangers & The Alchemist – “Ski’d Up”
A Forsaken Lover’s Plea
Chuck Strangers is gearing up to release his latest LP and it is gearing up to be some of his best work yet. A Forsaken Lover’s Plea is set to be released on March 15 and its lead single, the title track, saw Strangers rapping at a level he never has before. “Ski’d Up” continues that trend as Strangers evolves as a songwriter and vocalist with every release. The Alchemist-produced single is one of the few tracks on the album not produced by Strangers himself and features a calming wind instrument sample that juxtaposes the baritone vocals and dark lyrics.
Grandaddy – “Long as I’m Not the One”
Blu Wav
The highly anticipated album from Grandaddy still feels so far away but with every single release, our anticipated fervor ignites yet again. “Long as I’m Not the One” is a stirring ballad with a menacing tempo that feels airy yet dense thanks to the trudging drum pattern and soaring melodies. Blu Wav is set to be released on February 16.
