Maybe it was the warm weather or maybe it was Daylight Savings, but this week seemed to fly by. With swiftness, the longer days passed and thankfully, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. The blinding glow that is new music Friday feels as warm and welcoming as the first day of Spring, except a flower blossoming never sounded this good. This week’s Caustic is overflowing with soundtrack-worthy tunes to guide you through what will hopefully be a relaxing weekend.
Check out Glide’s picks for the best new music of the week below:
The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis – “Fourth Wall”
The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis
The excitement for this album reached a fever pitch as soon as it was announced and the wait is finally over. Punk instrumentalist The Messthetics combines their honed craft with the unpredictably spectacular saxophone stylings of James Brandon Lewis for a self-titled effort that is everything you could ask for and more. “Fourth Wall” is the tip of the iceberg, a hypnotic tune with solos that will melt your face as the melodies soar atop mesmerizing percussion.
Brother Dege – “Loser’s Blues”
Aurora
Combining the twang of country with the attitude of rock and the balladry of blues, Brother Dege returns with another phenomenal outing. Aurora is a quick yet expansive outing brimming with Dege’s signature songwriting style and subtle arrangements that fuse different eras of different genres with modern tropes. “Loser’s Blues” features a minimal arrangement that allows Dege’s vocals to reach brand-new heights and deliver vivid storytelling.
The Black Crowes – “Bleed It Dry”
Happiness Bastards
The southern rock outing The Black Crowes returns with some of their most passionate work on Happiness Bastards. This is an album that grabs hold of you and takes you on a country-fried journey through arrangements that could blow the roof off a house if played at the right volume. “Bleed It Dry” sounds like it was made for dancing, high-flying harmonicas guide the arrangement as the vocals boom from behind the chaos with an equal amount of fury.
Boeckner – “Ghost in the Mirror”
Boeckner!
For his solo debut, Dan Boeckner separated himself from expectations for a stunning LP. The self-titled effort is brimming with glittery synth-pop with lush textures as Boeckner parades his vocal range with an infectious humbleness. “Ghost in the Mirror” is an early favorite, pop-tinged melodies gliding over the beautiful chaos of the arrangement for a glistening synth-pop track with touches of psychedelic rock.
Chuck Strangers – “Polish Jazz” (Feat. Joey Bada$$)
A Forsaken Lover’s Plea
The highly anticipated LP from rapper/producer Chuck Strangers has finally arrived and it deserves your undivided attention. A Forsaken Lover’s Plea is a statement piece, Strangers strings together nimble rhyme schemes and delivers them with a boom gusto over dusty loops with jazz tendencies. “Polish Jazz” has Strangers teaming up with longtime collaborator Joey Bada$$ for ferocious verses set to subtle drums and warping melodies.
Tierra Whack – “SNAKE EYES”
WORLD WIDE WHACK
Philadelphia’s own Tierra Whack is here with her official debut and it cements the multi-faceted artist as one of the most unique voices in hip-hop. WORLD WIDE WHACK has the artist combining her pop prowess with minimal arrangements that allow for the most vulnerable songwriting of her career. “SNAKE EYES” is a reminder that Whack could rap with the best of them, a subtle drum pattern is all she needs to deliver witty rhymes with an infectious energy.
Kenny Mason – “Slip” (Feat. Toro Y Moi)
9
Kenny Mason has long established himself as one of the more exciting and innovative voices to rise out of Atlanta’s vibrant music scene. His new album 9 has the artists traversing his diversity, mixing gentle folk with hip-hop flows and grunge-style guitars with electronic drum patterns. “Slip” has an assist from the equally ambitious Toro Y Moi, a moody track that allows Mason to deploy vulnerable poetry over a genre-bending arrangement.
Baby Rose & BADBADNOTGOOD – “One Last Dance”
Slow Burn – EP
The ever-prolific BADBADNOTGOOD has teamed up with the silky smooth soul of Baby Rose for a collaborative EP. Slow Burn is set to be released on April 12 and features six songs from the pairing. “One Last Dance” is our first look into the project, a song built on longing that delivers the heaviness of that feeling with soulful vocals and a subtly groovy arrangement.
The Lemon Twigs – “A Dream Is All I Know”
A Dream Is All We Know
The Lemon Twigs are following up a fantastic 2023 with another brand new LP that is shaping up to be a landmark release for the band A Dream Is All We Know is set to be released on May 3 and its latest single is a breezy ballad. “A Dream Is All I Know” is the almost title track that has the band combine lush dreamscapes with sharp guitar tones for one more reason to be excited about the new Lemon Twigs release.
Mount Kimbie – “Empty And Silent” (Feat. King Krule)
The Sunset Violent
The inexplicable shift occurs in music when Mount Kimbie releases new music but even more so when they team up with King Krule. The electronic duo is set to release their new album The Sunset Violent on April 5 and the latest Krule-assisted single might be one of the best of the many collaborations they have. “Empty and Silent” features Krule’s signature vocal tones gliding over a hypnotic arrangement, a single that makes you mark the upcoming release on every calendar available.
Tokyo Police Club – “Just A Scratch”
Single
2024 is the final year Tokyo Police Club will be performing together. The announcement came from the band earlier this year, but they’re not going out without leaving a mark. “Just A Scratch” is the “final single” from the band and thankfully, it’s a song that begs to be on repeat. Infectious drums drive the arrangement as whimsical vocals levitate over the punk-influenced instrumentation.
Joe Kaplow – “Rock and Roll”
Posh Poodle Krystal and Toe
Following up on the release of his 2021 LP, singer/songwriter Joe Kaplow returns with an incredibly catchy ballad with the perfect amount of twang. “Rock and Roll” features a swooning vocal performance set to an unpredictable arrangement that captures your full attention and never lets go. The single is from Kaplow’s upcoming LP Posh Poodle Krystal and Toe set to be released on May 17.
Elbow – “Good Blood Mexico City”
AUDIO VERTIGO
We’re only one week away from listening to a brand new album from rock mainstays Elbow but before the full LP arrives, the band has gifted us one last single. “Good Blood Mexico City” is a fiery single that evokes nostalgia while staying in the present, a sonic juxtaposition you won’t be able to get enough of. AUDIO VERTIGO is set to arrive on March 22.
Kate Nash – “Millions of Heartbeats”
9 Sad Symphonies
For the first time in five years, Kate Nash has arrived with new music. 9 Sad Symphonies is set to be released on June 21 and will mark the artist’s first solo studio release since 2018. “Millions of Heartbeats” is our stirring lead single, Nash’s energy infects the room with grace and ease as a cinematic arrangement allows the songwriting to come alive.
Old 97’s – “Magic”
American Primitive
The iconic alt-country band Old 97’s is preparing their 13th studio release and based on the singles, the band has something special in store. American Primitive is set to be released on April 5 and “Magic” is our second single from the project. Infectious tempos create a danceable feeling as the band belts out moving poetry of getting lost in the moment.
