We here at Glide hope everyone had a fantastic and relaxing extended weekend. One of the hardest things in the working world is returning to the grind after a long time off, but the music world never ceases to spin. A slew of fantastic releases are here to kick off Autumn, and Glide has dug through the flurry of LPs and singles to find some of the best music out this week. We look at folk-rock releases from young hopefuls while veteran musicians reunite with their roots for celebrated returns. As always, there is a little something for everything on this week’s Caustic, and we are happy to be back, providing you with some refreshing releases for your weekend plans.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music below.
MJ Lenderman – “On My Knees”
Manning Fireworks
It feels like only yesterday when MJ Lenderman announced his Manning Fireworks LP, but the release date has arrived, and the 9-track LP is brimming with folksy songwriting and searing guitar prowess. The short yet potent outing has Lenderman diving deeper into his already vulnerable songwriting as his folk-rock fusion dance takes a minimalist approach. “On My Knees” puts a touch of longing in Lenderman’s voice as he croons over blistering guitar tones that explode into head-spinning solos.
Toro Y Moi – “HOV”
Hole Erth
The highly-anticipated new album from Toro Y Moi is a complete change of sound from the psychedelic rock of his acclaimed 2022 LP MAHAL, but keeping us on our toes is what Toro Y Moi does best. Hole Erth has band leader Chaz Bear navigating modern hip-hop and R&B while twisting these tropes into something familiar yet alien at the same time. “HOV” features robotic harmonies and a stadium-sized arrangement that blends modern hi-hats with a stunning vocal performance and vivid imagery.
Oscar Lang – “Your Street”
[pieces]
Earlier this week, singer/songwriter Oscar Lang announced he was beginning an independent chapter in his career after Dirty Hit released his 2022 LP. For his first release out on his own, Lang crafts an intimate outing with plush lo-fi soundscapes and fuzzy vocals on his far too quick but emotionally heavy [pieces] LP. “Your Street” finds the middle ground between modern and nostalgic as his vocals evoke the warmth of early bedroom pop while the playful horns and downtrodden tempos feel like they’re straight out of a classic noir police movie.
The Heavy Heavy – “Lemonade”
One of a Kind
The highly-anticipated debut album from The Heavy Heavy is the psychedelic pop outing we all hoped it would be, but the band not only met the high expectations, they crushed them. One of a Kind dives into the heyday of pop music, borrowing from the experimental eras of the genre’s past and bringing them into modern times. “Lemonade” has frantic guitars, infectious melodies, and sinfully sweet imagery that shines a new light on the duo’s songwriting abilities.
Mercury Rev – “Everything I Thought I Had Lost”
Born Horses
Multiple decades into their career, Mercury Rev proves they are as potent and refreshing as when they coined their signature noise-rock psychedelia. Born Horses finds a veteran band that still has fun with subtle manipulations to their signature sound, while the poetic lyrics tell fans that the band still has plenty to say. “Everything I Thought I Had Lost” features artsy melodies delivering moving songwriting, as a dense orchestration of cascading synths and neck-breaking drums elevates the lyrics to meet lofty visions of Mercury Rev.
The The – “Risin’ Above The Need”
Ensoulment
The The is the project of singer/songwriter Matt Johnson, and his imaginative blend of moody country and post-punk minimalism continues to grow on his new album Ensoulment. The veteran musician fearlessly enters his latest album with the honesty he is known for while continually toying with a sound he seemingly invented all those years ago. “Risin’ Above The Need” is an anthem with Johnson sliding a subtle twang into the confessional piece that has Johnson navigating the pitfalls of desire over toe-tapping tempos. At the same time, an unforgettable hook ties everything together.
Pale Jay – “Floating On A Memory”
Low End Love Songs
Producer/singer/songwriter Pale Jay took over the soul world with two stunning projects over the past three or so years, and his dominance doesn’t seem to be dwindling anytime soon. The mysterious artist releases his latest LP, Low End Love Songs, today, and it sees Jay expanding on the soulful jazz that he introduced to the world only three years ago. “Floating On A Memory” is a whimsical world of off-kilter instrumentation and acrobatic vocals as the groovy arrangement provides a colorful backdrop for Jay’s innocent vocal tones.
Fat Dog – “Closer to God”
WOOF.
London’s newest experimental rock band, Fat Dog, creates a statement piece of a debut album that has the young band putting their twist on the busy post-punk scene. WOOF is a complex listen that showcases the band’s lofty expectations they set for themselves as their risks pay off tremendously. At only 33 minutes, the band has no time to waste on their debut, which might make the hectic nature of “Closer to God” feel more at home. The early favorite is an explosion of conflicting tempos and tones as booming vocals miraculously cut through the noise-rock influences.
Rex Orange County – “Look Me In The Eyes” (Feat. James Blake)
The Alexander Technique
One of pop’s most intentional and innovative internet sensations, Rex Orange County, goes into a simplistic direction on his sprawling yet honed new effort, The Alexander Technique. The 16-song album is some of the most consistent and vulnerable music County has released as the artist croons over a wide array of pop-leaning ballads. “Look Me In The Eyes” is the heartwrenching duet with James Blake that has the duo swapping vocal duties for an emotional, piano-driven stand-out from a daring new effort from Rex Orange County that separates the artist from his peers.
The Deslondes – “Old Plank Road”
Roll It Out
The Deslondes have successfully honored the historic genre of blues while implementing moments of folk and alt-country on their fourth LP, Roll It Out. The band has never been one for flash, but the 13 songs presented here glimmer in the southern sun as the band lands on a nostalgic sound that doesn’t just borrow from the long history of southern music; it enhances it. “Old Plank Road” takes you on a journey down a dusty trail in search of the memories that build a person, while the bouncy twang of the arrangement adds another coat of color to this bright stand-out.
Pinhead Gunpowder – “Unt”
Unt
Pinhead Gunpowder combines Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, former Crimpshrine drummer Aaron Cometbus, Bill Schneider from Monsula, and guitarist Mike Kirsh from Fuel. While the supergroup has been dormant for decades, the band is revived and announced a new album, Unt, on October 15. The title track is our lead single, and it is a jaw-dropping blend of punk styles with thudding drums and masterful guitar work. While the arrangement finds solace in steady tempos, the vocal melodies twirl around the consistent arrangement for a blast from punk’s past.
Rejjie Snow – “Karen”
PEACE 2 DA WORLD
Rapper/singer Rejjie Snow has built a discography of jazzy, pop-leaning rap with nimble flows, and his new album looks to keep the artist’s hot streak of innovation alive. Snow’s new album, PEACE 2 DA WORLD, is set to be released on October 25, and “Karen” acts as our catchy lead single. Our first listen to the new album features a jovial arrangement that nods to Snow’s love for jazz while the artist’s delicate vocals provide rugged textures to the lighthearted instrumental.
Fantastic Negrito – “California Loner”
Son Of A Broken Man
One of the most acclaimed and inventive minds blues music has seen in recent years is gearing up to continue his legacy as Fantastic Negrito announces Son Of A Broken Man. The new LP is set to be released on October 18, and the artist gifts us two lead singles, the dense distortion of “Runaway From You” and “California Loner.” The latter finds the artist journeying through life as a lost soul as his sharp vocal tones cut through the straight-to-tape feel of the arrangement.
White Denim – “Light On”
12
The Texas band centered around the duo of singer/guitarist James Petralli and bassist Steve Terebecki, known as White Denim, established themselves as sonic chameleons long ago, and their latest release is a groovy pop-rock outing falling right in line with their typical fusion prowess. The band’s new album, 12, is set to be released on December 6, and “Light On” is our first single from the anticipated release. The swaying drums and cabaret-style vocals evoke the feeling of nostalgic jazz while wonky guitar tones nod to garage rock.
A$AP Rocky – “Ruby Rosary” (Feat. J. Cole)
Don’t Be Dumb
Last month, A$AP Rocky pushed the release date of his new album Don’t Be Dumb from August 30 to an undisclosed date this fall, but this hasn’t stopped Rocky from providing his fans with new music. The second single since the release date change is a dark and intimidating collaboration with J. Cole. The duo raps over sparse keys and muted drum patterns. The song explores the end of times as Rocky’s relaxed flows are juxtaposed with the cartoonish cadences of J. Cole.
