We got a special one for you fine people this week. Caustic has never looked so good as we kick off March with a plethora of unbelievably exciting releases. Everything from free-form jazz to head-pounding hardcore can be discovered below. A bouquet of new releases provides the soundtrack to what will hopefully be a relaxing weekend for all. The perfect soundtrack is a must as the weather begins to warm up and the days get longer. Dive through the colorful array of new music, I promise there is a song you’ll have on repeat throughout the next few days.
Check out Glide’s picks for the best new music of the week below:
Yard Act – “Fizzy Fish”
Where’s My Utopia?
The day has finally arrived and the highly anticipated sophomore album from Yard Act is yours for the listening. And listen you must, one of the most exciting young bands put together one hell of a concept album and executed it with the precision of a veteran and the charm of a con man. “Fizzy Fish” is just one highlight from the LP, an off-kilter post-punk track with break-neck tempos and infectious bass lines.
STRFKR – “Carnival”
Parallel Realms
The pop-dance dreamscapes of STRFKR have always been wildly imaginative and their new album has the band expanding on their uniqueness. Parallel Realms is bursting with infectious grooves and lighthearted melodies, and “Carnival” is an early favorite. Glimmering melodies melt into deep drum pockets for lush textures and psychedelic funk.
Bruce Dickinson – “Face In the Mirror”
The Mandrake Project
The Iron Maiden frontman has returned with another epic solo project. The Mandrake Project is Bruce Dickinson’s latest with an ear-grabbing narrative that is executed in the most Dickinson way imaginable. “Face In the Mirror” is a stirring rock ballad with an epic arrangement and poetic lyrics.
Julian Lage – “Tiburon”
Speak To Me
Listening to the mystifying and meditative guitar work of Julian Lage is like getting up early enough to watch the sunrise from the beach. Speak To Me is Lage’s new full-length that is overflowing with his ever-expanding approach to his instrument, blending it with ambient tones just as much as jazz. “Tiburon” focuses on the jazz side, crashing cymbals colliding with Lage’s soaring melodies for a mystical instrumental perfect for a cold night in.
Faye Webster – “eBay Purchase History”
Undressed at the Symphony
Faye Webster is back with another stunning album that blends her folk tendencies with modern tropes and jazz-leaning arrangements. Undressed at the Symphony is another stellar album by Webster that continues her streak of reimagining the limitations of folk music and breaking barriers left and right. “eBay Purchase History” is a stirring ballad with just enough twang to counteract the gentle jazz undertones.
Pissed Jeans – “Everywhere Is Bad”
Half Divorced
Pissed Jeans has found a way to elevate their ferocious punk and cheeky songwriting on their brand new album Half Divorced. The 12-track LP has the band navigating their chaotic textures with nuanced grace and blunt yet honest lyrics. “Everywhere Is Bad” is exactly how it sounds, larger-than-life guitar melodies crash around chanting melodies for a freight train of a song.
Sheer Mag – “I Gotta Go”
Playing Favorites
Sheer Mag makes music that inspires you to have fun, it sure sounds like they had a blast recording their new record. Playing Favorites is an infectious country-rock album with anthems galore, there is something for everyone on here. “I Gotta Go” is for the hopeless romantics, the band creates an irresistible arrangement to croon about star-crossed lovers and the longing that comes with it.
Handsome Jack – “Nobody Left but You”
A Good Thing
The indescribably moving blues of Handsome Jack returns on their latest release. A Good Thing is exactly that, a welcomed return to an exciting band consistently finding new ways to present their modern take on a classic genre. “Nobody Left but You” is the type of song everyone could relate to in one way or another, passionate vocals levitate over a country friend arrangement for some nostalgic blues balladry.
ScHoolboy Q – “THank god 4 me”
BLUE LIPS
Every time ScHoolboy Q releases an album, it feels like the world stops and listens. The modern philosopher created an opus of sorts with BLUE LIPS, his experimental new LP that has the artist exploring off-kilter arrangements with refreshing flows and vulnerable songwriting. “THank god 4 me” is an anthem everyone needs right now, a nonchalant banger with warping melodies that give ScHoolboy Q the breathing room for his effortless charisma.
Jahari Massamba Unit – “All Things…”
YHWH is LOVE
The jazz duo featuring Madlib and Karriem Riggins, two of the most prolific and admired producers of their time, is back. Jahari Massamba Unit put on a clinic in tone on YHWH is LOVE, their sophomore effort. The instrumental outing features a wide range of tones and moods filtered through the restless creativity of JMU. “All Things…” is a more somber moment on the LP and features subtle horns that bring the moody arrangement to life.
The South Hill Experiment – “Growing Pains” (Feat. Maxo)
South Hill & Friends – EP
The duo that made a major splash with the release of two stellar albums in 2023, The South Hill Experiment recruits some fellow young, exciting voices for their collaborative EP. South Hill & Friends features sun-drenched grooves and touches of jazz for an all-encompassing short outing. The Maxo-assisted “Growing Pains” features a driving yet subtle piano melody as Maxo’s ever-impressive vocal range dances around the bright instrumentation.
Circles Around The Sun & Mikaela Davis – “Gloaming Way”
After Sunrise – EP
This dream collaboration comes to life on the latest single from Circles Around The Sun and Mikaela Davis’ collaborative EP. After Sunrise is set to be released on April 5 and if it is anything close to “Gloaming Way”, we’re in for something truly special. The latest single is a mind-bending instrumental track that has Davis’ harp skills dancing around the psychedelic tones of Circles for a cosmic single that shines.
Anna Tivel – “Disposable Camera”
Living Thing
The prolific singer/songwriter Anna Tivel returns with a new album and a sentimental new single. Living Thing is set to be released on May 31 and “Disposable Camera” is our first look into the new project. The moving poetry of the song provides vivid imagery and potent storytelling over a twangy arrangement.
Shabaka – “End of Innocence”
Perceive its Beauty, Acknowledge its Grace
Jazz will always be in good hands as long as the fearlessly creative and ever-mind-expanding music of Shabaka is released. The artist has been involved in some of the most groundbreaking jazz music of this generation and it is time for him to step into the spotlight on his new solo album. Perceive its Beauty. Acknowledge its Grace is set to be released on April 12 and its lead single is everything you could want and more. “End of Innocence” is lined with gentle syncopation that is driven by Shabaka’s mesmerizing flute melodies.
Knocked Loose – “Blinding Faith”
You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To
Hardcore legends Knocked Loose have announced their first album since 2019. You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To is set to be released on May 10 and its lead single has the band sounding better than ever. “Blinding Faith” is a wickedly hypnotic track with textures more akin to a car crash than anything else, neck-breaking drums drive the arrangement as raspy screeches deny faiths of all kinds.
