Another beautiful week has flown by and it is finally time to put your feet up and your headphones on. Another New Music Friday is here and as always, Glide has the pleasure of sifting through all these releases. This week we have a diverse list that ranges from blistering punk to nostalgic hip-hop with little tastes of the path and a buffet of future releases. The albums released this week are nothing short of a rainbow of genres, futuristic soul becomes hypnotic and heroes of the punk community usher in a new era of their sound. No matter what mood you’re trying to set for your weekend, this week’s Caustic has it for you.
Check out Glide’s picks for the best new releases below.
Ghost-Note – “Phatbacc”
Mustard n’Onions
The percussion-driven arrangements of Ghost-Note are as frantically funky as ever on their new album Mustard n’Onions. The neck-breaking tempos are met with subtle psychedelic tones for a sprawling LP that cements Ghost-Note as a major player in a bustling jazz scene. “Phatbacc” is just a taste of the grooves that drive this album, bebop-style horns are mixed with funky drums for a track of dense textures and infectious energy.
Brainstory – “XFaded”
Sounds Good
If you’ve been keeping up with the singles for Brainstory’s new LP Sounds Good, you know how much this album has been anticipated. The day has finally arrived and the album is out in the world for your listening pleasure. It’s a psychedelic take on modern soul with harmonies that soar and arrangements that pull from funk and jazz all the same. “XFaded” is the El Michels Affair-produced stand-out with its cascading harmonies that accent the slight funk of the arrangement.
Melvins – “She’s Got Weird Arms”
Tarantula Heart
On their most ambitious album in years, the expansive and daring Tarantula Heart by the legendary Melvis is finally here. The 5-track, 40-minute outing has the band reimagining their punk tendencies into expressive prog-rock with electronic tones and potent songwriting. “She’s Got Weird Arms” is an early stand-out on a tracklist of giants, the searing guitar work drives the track as hushed vocals cut through the dense textures for an experiential rock track that has the Melvins sounding right at home.
Pearl Jam – “Won’t Tell”
Dark Matter
The iconic Pearl Jam has returned with a brand new album of grunge through the nuanced lens of a band who are masters of the craft. Dark Matter is the band’s signature sound revamped, a light-hearted outing with gentle tendencies that still manages to evoke the rough edges of the band’s early work. “Won’t Tell” is on the light-hearted side, a touch of pop melodies brings the bright tones of the guitar to life as Eddie Vedder provides soaring croons.
Cloud Nothings – “Thank Me For Playing”
Final Summer
Get your neck brace ready, Cloud Nothings have released a blistering LP of punk tempos in more conventional rock structures. Final Summer never lets off the gas once you press play, you are immersed in the band’s world as they create tiny universes of nuanced textures and expert guitar work. “Thank Me For Playing” is one of the more powerful songs on the album, with a hook that sounds radio-ready mixed with artsy guitar work, Cloud Nothings found a middle ground between the two worlds they can call their own.
High On Fire – “Tough Guy”
Cometh the Storm
The legendary metal band High On Fire has emerged with another jaw-dropping LP of stadium-sized melodies and face-melting riffs. Cometh the Storm is metal in its purest form, images of a forgotten time cascade from the lyrics as booming drums and searing guitars create a brick wall of textures for the throat-scratching vocals to dance over. “Tough Guy” is High on Fire in their natural habitat, the raw energy of the performances jumps out of the speakers and leaves a trail of flames in their wake as the band crafts an ambitious LP.
Gangrene (The Alchemist & Oh No) – “Cloud Surfing”
Heads I Win, Tails You Lose
For the first time since 2015, two of the most innovative producers in modern hip-hop combine their powers for a full LP. The Alchemist and Oh No are Gangrene, the two producers use the project to get some things off their chest vocally as they take turns crafting mind-altering instrumentals for a collaborative LP that redefines sonic chemistry. “Cloud Surfing” is a hypnotic tune with subtle flute samples that act as a canvas for the duo’s velvet-lined cadences.
Fontaines D.C. – “Starburster”
Romance
One of the most exciting young bands in any genre is readying another addition to their already impressive discography. Fontaines D.C. is set to drop Romance on August 23 and the infectiously eerie tones of “Starburster” act as our lead single. The track has the vocals taken on a spoken-word style melody as warping tones dance around neck-breaking drums. This single feels like Fontaines D.C. is ushering in a new era of their career, and it sounds spectacular.
Bill MacKay – “Keeping in Time”
Locust Land
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Bill MacKay is set to drop his new album Locust Land on May 24 and the album’s latest single is a gentle ballad that showcases the many facets of MacKay’s talents. “Keeping in Time” is a soul-stirring ballad with guitars that cascade around sentimental songwriting, a beautiful track that gives us a glimpse at a promising LP.
Blitzen Trapper – “Planetarium” (Feat. Eric D. Johnson”
100’s of 1000’s, Millions of Billions
The legendary Blitzen Trapper is getting ready to release their new album on May 17 and while it is only a few weeks away, the band gifted us with another single. “Planetarium” features stunning finger plucking that acts as a canvas for poetic songwriting. Silky smooth melodies evoke an emotional response as the band harmonizes over a minimal arrangement, a jaw-dropping ballad that only adds to the anticipation behind 100’s of 1000s, Millions of Billions.
Of Montreal – “Rude Girl on Rotation”
Lady on the Cusp
Everytime Of Montreal drops it feels like a reason to celebrate even though the latest single from his upcoming LP is a more somber outing. “Rude Girl on Rotation” showcases a softer side of the artist’s songwriting as their intimate vocals give the nimble tones of the arrangement some subtle edge. The single is from Of Motreal’s upcoming LP Lady on the Cusp, set to be released on May 17.
Guided By Voices – “Serene King”
Strut of Kings
Quickly following up on their 2023 LP, Guided By Voices has announced Strut of Kings, their second LP in less than a year. Not that the prolificness of the band comes as a surprise but their ability to keep up this output without repeating themselves is miraculous. “Serene King” is our first look at the new project, poetic songwriting is delivered in a swinging melody and fits like a puzzle piece over the crisp guitars of the arrangement. Strut of Kings is set to be released on June 28.
Jake Xerxes Fussell – “Going to Georgia”
When I’m Called
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Jake Xerxes Fussell has made the move to Fat Possum Records and is readying his debut for the new label. When I’m Called is set to be released on July 12 and the lead single is a stunning ballad that has Fussell’s guitar prowess on full display. “Going to Georgia” arrives in a cloud of acoustic bliss as Fussell pens a poem of longing for a lead single that should have everyone excited for the artist’s new LP.
Good Looks – “Self-Destructor”
Lived Here For a While
In a flurry of Midwest emo tones and harmonious vocals, Good Looks crafts an exciting new single. “Self-Destructor” is our second single from the band’s upcoming Lived Here For a While album which will be released on June 7. “Self-Destructor” is a jangly tune with pop-leaning melodies that explode behind colorful crescendos and a masterclass of drumming. Good Looks is shaping up to be an exhilarating young band, don’t miss the boat on their new sophomore album this June.
Nas & DJ Premier – “Define My Name”
Single
After a slew of albums with Hit-Boy, Nas teams up with longtime collaborator and icon DJ Premier for his latest single. “Define My Name” harkens back to the beginning of his career over a stuttering drum pattern and spurts of soulful vocal samples. Nas poetically reminisces about his longevity over scratches from DJ Premier, a hip-hop head’s dream. The song ends with Nas saying “It’s album time”, a possible hint at a full-length collaboration between the two rap giants.
