The old Caustic train keeps chugging along into a bountiful June as the second New Music Friday of the month outdoes itself. The surreal amount of fantastic drops is overwhelming, but not in the way you get overwhelmed walking into too crowded of a party. It’s more of that feeling when you first walk into an amusement park and can’t decide which ride to go on. This week’s Caustic is nothing short of expansive. From highly anticipated sophomore releases hitting the streets to loose singles that stick in your head, there is a cornucopia of jaw-dropping releases for you to choose from.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music below.
The Decemberist – “Born to the Morning”
As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again
After a quick six-year hiatus, The Decemberist returns with a sprawling concept album. As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again is a whimsical tale split up into four sections. The indie rock darlings explore the pop side of folk while delivering vivid imagery. “Born to the Morning” is the last song in chapter three. Its bright tones are juxtaposed by the fuzzed-out vocals, and a busy arrangement radiates with head-nodding drum patterns and subtle yet palpable keys.
Blvck Hippie – “Freeform Locs”
Basketball Camp
The highly anticipated sophomore effort from the Memphis alt-rock band Blvck Hippie has finally arrived, and it was worth every minute of the wait. Basketball Camp is an 11-song exploration into accepting the past and loving your present self. The band employs a wide range of rock stylings to deliver their uplifting message, and “Freeform Locs” leans to the side of a soft-rock ballad. A moving vocal performance that switches from a soothing serenade to a throat-scratching performance as masterful guitar work accents the warping vocals.
RJD2 – “Es El Nuevo Estilo”
Visions Out Of Limelight
The latest instrumental outing from acclaimed multi-instrumentalist producer RJD2 pulls inspiration from the theme songs of old TV shows just as much as the producer’s long history in hip-hop. Visions Out Of Limelight is an all-encompassing listing experience. It is the type of album you’re meant to live with, but not before you sit down to digest every sonic twist and melodic turn taken by RJD2. “Es El Nuevo Estilo” features some of the crispest drums you’ll hear this week as haunting synth work rounds out this orchestration.
NxWorries – “KeepHer” (Feat. Thundercat)
Why Lawd?
After eight long years, the duo of Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge release one of the year’s most anticipated albums in the form of soulful, hip-hop-tinged balladry. Why Lawd wastes no time grabbing your attention. The 19-track LP showcases the maturity of both artists as Knxwledge’s sleek approach to production collides with .Paak’s poetic approach to braggadocious rhymes and love songs. “KeepHer” is a subtly groovy breakup tune with bassist Thundercat adding his prowess of the instrument and signature falsettos to juxtapose .Paak’s rugged delivery and heartbreaking lyrics.
Hermanos Gutiérrez – “El Fantasma”
Sonido Cósmico
The guitar duo of Hermanos Gutiérrez is back with another psychedelic outing of dueling guitars. Sonido Cósmico employs the perfect level of ambiance to elevate the pair’s hypnotic guitar work to an otherworldly level. “El Fantasma” is a dusty Western-inspired stand-out that has Hermanos Gutiérrez creating a spacious instrumental with spurts of mesmerizing drums to accent the duo’s cinematic guitar prowess for a raw track with palpable emotions.
Sadler Vaden – “Dove”
Dad Rock
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit’s Sadler Vaden releases Dad Rock in a rare solo outing. For their first solo effort since 2020, Vaden creates a quick and emotional LP that feels expansive despite its short 8-song tracklist. With little time to waste, Vaden leaps into his love for classic rock balladry on “Dove.” The heartfelt song captivates with frantic tempo changes that range from fiery guitar work to patiently delivering subtle beauty.
Oliver Wood – “Whom I Adore”
Fat Cat Silhouette
Dive into some good old Americana with Oliver Wood’s Fat Cat Silhouette. The nine-song album uses minimalism to explore the depths of the historical genre, as Wood’s approach to folk-style storytelling is accompanied by gentle acoustics. “Whom I Adore” is one of the more lively performances on the track despite the heartbreaking lyrics. Wood pens as a faraway admirer as he reminisces on a lost love over quaint yet groovy drums.
Dave Guy – “7th Heaven”
Ruby
The debut solo record from The Roots’ trumpet maestro Dave Guy is still months away, but the jazzy odyssey that is the new single should hold fans over. “7th Heaven” is a cascading single with Guy’s trumpet prowess coiling around lush backing vocals and swaying drum patterns. The single is from Guy’s upcoming LP Ruby, which is set to be released on September 20.
Frank Viele – “Lo-Fi Goodbye”
The Trouble With Desire
The prolific and busy folk-rock artist Frank Viele releases the latest single from his The Trouble With Desire album across digital platforms. “Lo-Fi Goodbye” is a stunning exploration of emotional vulnerability as Viele details a moving story over a nostalgic folk-rock arrangement. The vinyl pre-order for Frank Viele’s The Trouble With Desire can be found here.
The Deslondes – “Take Me Back”
Roll It Out
The Deslondes’ old-timey approach to country music has always paid homage to the genre’s history, and on their latest releases, the band wants us to look back with them. “Take Me Back” romanticizes the good old days over the infectious and twangy bounce of the arrangement. The new single is lifted from the band’s newly announced Roll It Out LP, which is set to be released on September 6.
The Heavy Heavy – “Happiness”
One of a Kind
After releasing the deluxe version of their first EP, The Heavy Heavy set their sights on a proper debut. One Of a Kind is set to be released on September 6, and the lead single is a catchy and sentimental classic pop ballad. “Happiness” has the band searching for an inkling of the emotion as their harmonies reach the heavens over rolling pianos and danceable tempos.
ANOHNI – “Breaking”
Single
Lifted from the sessions that made ANOHNI’s critically acclaimed 2023 outing, “Breaking” is a subtle and hauntingly beautiful ballad. The minimalism gives the eerie vocals a touch of whimsy as clarinets slide next to acoustic plucking for a jazzy outing. The single is released ahead of ANOHNI’s extensive North American tour this September.
Toro Y Moi – “Tuesday”
Hole Erth
After the avalanche of praise for their 2022 album, Toro Y Moi sets high expectations for this new album. Hole Erth will be ours on September 6, and our lead single finds the middle ground between pop-punk and alt-rock bliss. “Tuesday” features lush vocal layering over a hectic yet haunted arrangement as the vocal melodies evoke a warmth to juxtapose the jagged edges of the arrangement.
Dr. Dog – “Love Struck” (Feat. M. Ward)
Dr. Dog
Thankfully, Dr. Dog’s first album in six years is only a little over a month away, and the way these singles are sounding is only fueling the flame of excitement. Dr. Dog’s self-titled album will be released on July 19, and their anticipated collaboration with M. Ward is our latest glimpse at the project. A rocking folk tune, “Love Struck,” is driven by a twangy guitar rhythm and toe-tapping drums as a stirring vocal performance rolling off the arrangement like raindrops on an umbrella.
Avey Tare – “Vampire Tongues” (Feat. Panda Bear)
Single
Two of Animal Collective’s finest team up for electro-pop bliss on “Vampire Tongues.” The unpredictable single continues Tare’s streak of stretching pop’s limits as dense synth work is cut through by animated drum patterns interrupted by an eerie bridge. There is no word of a new album as of now, but “Vampire Tongues” is a full buffet of left-field pop for Animal Collective fans.
