Just when you think 2024 is slowing down on impressive releases, we are hit with another wave of innovative minds. This week’s Caustic is brimming with surprise returns and refreshing takes on the nostalgic, spiritual jazz gets a facelift while some of rock’s most missed acts make a return. There is so much to get lost in, we treat every new music Friday like a forest to get lost in and we hope to emerge with some bright and rare flora to present to you each week. This week we returned from our journey with dense textures and opposing ambient bliss, a taste of everything.
Check out Glide’s picks for the best new music of the week below.
METZ – “Glass Eye”
Up On Gravity Hill
On a quick yet potent outing, METZ pieced together the textures of shoegaze with the fervor of post-punk with their new eight-track LP Up On Gravity Hill. The tracklist is whittled down to the essentials while the selections that made the cut are expansive and hectic, creating a whirlwind of a listen in just 35 minutes. “Glass Eye” features a stirring vocal performance set to face-melting riffs and drum patterns that add a vibrancy to the whole song.
Maggie Rogers – “Never Going Home”
Don’t Forget Me
The great and powerful Maggie Rogers follows up on two critically acclaimed releases with another LP that combines her songwriting prowess with bright folk-pop textures. Don’t Forget Me is a ten-track outing with potent emotions set to danceable tempos and colorful tones, adding a touch more pop than her past releases. “Never Going Home” is a prime example of the sonic direction of Rogers’ latest, infectious tempos grab you by the hand and swirl you around as wonky guitar textures fill the room as Rogers pens moving poetry.
BODEGA – “Stain Gaze”
Our Brand Could Be Yr Life
One of the most exciting bands to come out of New York City in recent years, BODEGA has returned with a sprawling new LP. Our Brand Could Be Yr Life incorporates the band’s artsy tendencies with a new perspective on songwriting for a refreshing take on their already unique sound. “Stain Gaze” features warping guitar tones that melt over soaring melodies for a mystical listen that unveils another nuanced element every time you press play.
Aaron Lee Tasjan – “Pants”
Stellar Evolution
Talking about an unpredictable tracklist, Aaron Lee Tasjan pieced together a plethora of influences and filtered them through his experiences for a collection of songs that encompass it all. Stellar Evolution goes from danceable grooves to stunning balladry in the blink of an eye, the cosmic arrangements being anchored to Earth by Tasjan’s unique perspective as a songwriter. “Pants” is one of those groovy cuts, a bright arrangement driven by funky drum patterns that accent some impressive guitar noodling.
Bad Bad Hats – “Lime Green”
Bad Bad Hats
Bad Bad Hats’ take on colorful melodic rock is as potent and infectious as ever on their freshly released self-titled LP. Their minimal arrangements have always filled a room but on this latest release, everything from the band’s songwriting to their melodic phrasing is elevated and palpable. “Lime Green” is an early favorite, the track is subtly danceable but the band’s vocals take center stage here. Simply infectious melodies whirl around and deliver honest songwriting for an unforgettable song from an impressive outing.
Shabaka – “Insecurities” (Feat. Moses Sumney)
Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace
One of the most prolific and innovative minds in modern jazz picks up a flute to create mind-bending spiritual jazz on their full-length debut. Shabaka’s Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace is aptly named, it is an album that showcases his mastery of the instrument as he deploys it over expansive minimalism of psychedelic proportions. With the help of beautiful falsettos from Moses Sumney, “Insecurities” has Shabaka’s flute melodies slow-dancing with subtle strings for a modern approach to spiritual jazz.
Baby Rose & BADBADNOTGOOD – “Weekness”
Slow Burn – EP
The silky R&B-tinged vocals of Baby Rose combine with the honed jazz prowess of BADBADNOTGOOD for an EP that showcases a natural chemistry. Slow Burn is a six-song outing that evokes the warmth of analog while feeling present and modern. “Weekness” is a stand-out amongst some great songs, Rose’s wide vocal range is free to roam over a drum-driven arrangement with dusty tones that morph into psychedelic before your eyes.
Elizabeth King – “Pure Heavenly Joy”
Soul Provider
Mississippi’s queen of sacred soul Elizabeth King is here with another stunning and moving outing that brings you to church while showcasing a vocal range that could break a stoic man down. Soul Provider is beautifully bluesy while incorporating the spiritual vocals and sentimental songwriting of King. “Pure Heavenly Joy” sounds like a soul classic for modern times, an uplifting ballad with tones from classic Southern soul.
Leyla McCalla – “Sun Without the Heat”
Sun Without the Heat
Finally, Leyla McCalla’s new album is here and it is better than anyone could have predicted. Sun Without the Heat features the artist’s poetic approach to songwriting as she croons over acoustic minimalism for moving folk-leaning ballads. The title track features a slight swing in the melody as McCalla delivers harsh but important realities, with nothing but her voice and a guitar melody, the artist captures your attention and tugs at your heartstrings.
Your Old Droog & Madlib – “DBZ” (Feat. Method Man & Denzel Curry)
Single
Your Old Droog has been teasing a Madlib-produced album for some time now and it feels like a full album is closer than ever. “DBZ” is a lyrical clinic from each vocalist as Madlib creates a soulful instrumental that leaves breathing room for fiery deliveries and neck-breaking flows. If this is a hint at what we can expect from Droog and Madlib’s upcoming collaboration, we’re in for something special.
Bonny Light Horseman – “I Know You Know”
Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free
Bonny Light Horseman has announced what is already shaping up to be the most ambitious release of their career. Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free is a double album set to feature 20 new songs from the band, the full album will be released on June 7. Before the full LP gets here, the band gave us a folksy ballad with “I Know You Know”, easily relatable lyrics float over dreamy guitar chords for a simplistic ballad with harmonies that reach the heavens.
Thursday – “Application for Release from The Dream”
Single
For the first time in 13 years, New Jersey rock outfit Thursday has released new music. The dormant project gets brought back to life in all its glory on “Application for Release from The Dream”. The band sounds larger than life on this single, crashing drums surround the palpable passion of the vocals, vocals that deliver thought-provoking lyrics. Thursday has returned with a piece of nostalgia that manages to sound new and refreshing.
Idaho – “On Fire”
Lapse
Another band that has emerged after 13 years of silence, iconic slow-core band Idaho is prepping their first album in over a decade. Lapse is set to be released on May 31 and our lead single has the band picking up right where they left off. “On Fire” is a mesmerizing single that evokes the sensation of levitation as lush vocals juxtapose jagged guitar tones for a comeback single that has the band sounding like they never left.
Aaron Frazer – “Into The Blue”
Into The Blue
The multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter Aaron Frazer is prepping to follow up a stunning debut. Into The Blue is the second solo album from the Durand Jones & The Indications member and the two lead singles have it shaping up to be something entirely new from the artist. “Into The Blue”, the title track and one-half of the lead singles, features soulful backing vocals that cut through falsettos from the lead and a jazzy arrangement.
Dhruv – “How?”
Single
An already exciting young voice in the pop singer/songwriter scene should capture even more attention with their new single “How?”. With a slight touch of jazz and muted tones, Dhruv combines his natural ability to craft infectious melodies with a subtle arrangement that still feels full and groovy.
