The wheels are turning, and gears are being greased over at the Caustic Factory, and while this week may not be as action-packed as previous, there is still no shortage of exciting releases. We have a wide-ranging platter for you today with select cuts from the world of rock’s past and a refreshing taste of modern neo-soul to wash it all down. There is an unintentional underlying theme of experimentation throughout this week’s Caustic. Bands who find solace in the unexplored came out in droves this New Music Friday, so be prepared to be sent into a whirlwind of complex yet welcoming arrangements, twangy atmospheres, and head-spinning guitar work.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music below.
Wand – “Curtain Call”
Vertigo
Wand’s ever-expanding sonic palette gets another subtle coat of paint as they continue their nosedive into psychedelic rock on their first album since 2019, Vertigo. The 8-track LP has the Los Angeles-bred outfit combining subtle nods to ambient music and noise-rock with their natural knack for pop-tinged melodies. “Curtain Call” is the best of both worlds. The song creates an alien-like atmosphere with droning synths that are anchored down to earth by a soaring vocal performance.
Cults – “Knots”
To the Ghosts
Cults have spent over a decade honing their craft in the experimental pop scene, and their latest effort is their most expansive yet honed LP to date. To the Ghosts has the band solidifying its songwriting prowess over a wide array of pop-leaning arrangements, proving that this band is far from evolving. “Knots” is a poetic moment on the album. The dynamic vocal performance delivers the moving lyrics over a dense arrangement courtesy of cascading synths and sturdy drum patterns.
Bill Callahan – “Coyotes”
Resuscitate!
Bill Callahan attempts to capture the mystical journey that is his concerts on his latest live LP, Resuscitate! The 10-track album has Callahan and his live band adding enticing sonic twists to select cuts from Callahan’s discography, and the addition of complex horn sections to “Coyotes” is an early stand-out on this stunning live recording, which was recorded at Chicago’s Thalia Hall in 2023. The live version of “Coyotes” grabs the sentimental poetry of the studio version and adds an unpredictable arrangement to it driven by blaring saxophone solos and an improvisational feel.
MAITA – “violet dream”
Want
Indie rock artist MAITA likes to waste no time getting their point across, and the blunt poetry of their new album, want, shines a new light on the artist’s lyrical approach. Throughout 12 tracks, MAITA navigates both subtle balladry and stadium-sized rockers as their vulnerable songwriting drives the tonal shifts. “Violet dream” is an elastic stand-out that adds aggression to MAITA vocals as searing guitars expand the tight structure beautifully.
Joy Again – “My Big Sky”
Song and Dance
Philadelphia’s experimental darlings Joy Again have finally released their brand new album, and it is as infectiously quaint as you could ever hope for. Song and Dance has the band cramming their ever-growing sound into tight pop structures, creating a welcoming yet complex environment for the warmth of their songwriting. “My Big Sky” is a country-tinged ballad with catchy melodies and heartfelt songwriting for a stunning break-up tune with scorching guitar sections.
Robber Robber – “How We Ball”
Wild Guess
The debut album from the hazy punk outfit Robber Robber has finally arrived, and it lives up to the fantastic singles that came before it. Wild Guess introduces us to a young band with a deep passion for dense textures and thudding drums with “How We Ball,” the final single from the debut project, showcasing the band’s experimental side. The staggering guitars accent the searing vocal tones on “How We Ball,” creating a complex punk atmosphere open for interpretation but meant to be felt deeply.
The Red Clay Strays – “Ramblin’”
Made by These Moments
On their new album, The Red Clay Strays make their presence in the busy country scene felt via toe-tapping honky tonk anthems. The anticipation leading up to Made by These Moments was not all for show. The band pieced together 11 tracks that put their twangy prowess on full display, and “Ramblin’” is just the start of the party. The song evokes memories from the past, even if you didn’t grow up around country music. The Red Clay Strays can bring you into their world via blistering tempos and passionate vocals on “Ramblin’.”
Pixies – “Chicken”
The Night the Zombies Came
The innovative and quintessential indie rock band Pixies is back with a brand new album announced and a new single to accompany it. The Night the Zombies Came will be released on October 25, featuring the previously released “You’re So Impatient” single, along with the freshly released “Chicken.” The latest single is packed with ethereal psychedelia, with the band belting atmospheric melodies and delivering warping guitar solos.
Cal in Red – “Kitchen” (Feat. James Mercer)
Low Low
The duo of brothers Connor and Kendall Wright, known as Cal in Red, debuts a monster collaboration just weeks before the release of their debut album. Low Low will be released on August 30, and the James Mercer-assisted “Kitchen” is our latest single from the anticipated LP. The gentle soft-rock tones of the new single guide the plush harmonies through a field of acoustic bliss, as Cal in Red gives us a statement piece of a single.
Hemlock Ernst & Icky Reels – “Raised in the South”
Studying Absence
The rap side project of Future Islands frontman Samuel T. Herring, Hemlock Ernst, has returned with a new full-length and a new off-kilter single. Studying Absence, which electronic wizard Icky Reels entirely produces, is set to be released on October 16, and “Raised in the South” introduces us to a more industrial side of Ernst’s musical escapades. The nimble yet impactful drums drive Reels’ otherworldly vision as Ernst delivers a head-spinning performance with vivid imagery.
Karate – “Defendants”
Make It Fit
The daring mid-90s rock outfit Karate has announced its first studio album in over 20 years, and our lead singles pick up right where the band left off. Make It Fit is set to be released on October 18, and the punk-leaning “Defendants” and spacious “Silence, Sound” hint at the sonic direction of the band’s triumphant return. “Defendants” has the band employing the raw vocal tones of punk, while the arrangement uses more nostalgic indie tones to evoke the band’s heyday.
Thurston Moore – “New in Town”
Flow Critical Lucidity
Thurston Moore never seems to stop working, and with a new album right around the corner, his restlessness only grows with age. Flow Critical Lucidity will be released on September 20, and Moore’s latest single, “New in Town,” is set to be featured on the LP. The new single is a challenging yet whimsical performance, with Moore challenging melodic norms over hypnotic guitars.
Jane’s Addiction – “Imminent Redemption”
Single
For the first time in 34 years, the original lineup of Jane’s Addiction hit the studio, and they emerged with the explosive “Imminent Redemption.” The alt-rock icons’ triumphant reunion single comes just before their massive 2024 tour kicks off on August 9 in Las Vegas. “Imminent Redemption” shows us that while the band might’ve been on ice, their chemistry never went away. Perry Farrell’s booming vocals cut through the alt-rock tones with precision as a veteran band shows the world they can return to the recording world as they please.
The Wild Feathers – “Don’t Know”
Sirens
The Wild Feathers, Nashville’s genre-blending southern rockers, are preparing to release their new album, Sirens, on October 4. While that may seem like a long, winding road, the band specializes in creating bluesy rock to soundtrack a long journey. Their latest single, “Don’t Know,” has The Wild Feathers crooning over dusty guitar tones for an acrobatic vocal performance with explosive crescendos.
Ravyn Lenae – “One Wish” (Feat. Childish Gambino)
Bird’s Eye
Neo-Soul/R&B artist Ravyn Lenae’s long-awaited sophomore effort is right around the corner, and if you weren’t already excited, the jazzy new Childish Gambino-assisted single should do the trick. “One Wish” has Lenae’s lush vocals cascading around acoustic plucking and soulful drums as Gambino provides subtle backing vocals on this jaw-dropping Neo-soul confessional. Lenae’s Bird’s Eye LP is set to be released on August 9.
