This has been a weird week, to say the least. With social media exploding with opinions and think-pieces on the future, and while these discussions are important, it is equally essential to give yourself a break from it all. While the world around us falls into a divided and tense atmosphere, throwing on headphones and escaping into new music is a healthy practice. This week, we have a quick yet exciting Caustic with new releases ranging from envigorating hip-hop performances to dream-like jazz, the perfect blend to fall backward and escape from the hustle and bustle of modern times.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music below.
The Bad Plus – “Tyrone’s Flamingo”
Complex Emotions
Long-standing jazz-trope manipulators The Bad Plus return with a potent 8-track album, Complex Emotions. The hypnotic outing is lined with somber ballads that could sound at home, soundtracking a noir detective movie as the band employs whirling melodies and nuanced warmth for the follow-up to their 2022 self-titled LP. “Tyrone’s Flamingo” features soaring horns and complex drum patterns for a moment of subtle and refreshing left-field jazz on this primarily nostalgic outing.
Ab-Soul – “Righteous Man”
Soul Burger
After returning in 2022 with his highly vulnerable and expertly executed Herbert album, future West Coast legend Ab-Soul returns with the cinematic and sprawling Soul Burger. The 15-song album has Soul navigating an array of glistening yet intimidating instrumentals to deliver his signature scripture. “Righteous Man” closes out Soul Burger with a reminder that Soul should be in your top 5 conversations. Head-spinning rhymes are delivered over nimble nods to West Coast jazz as Soul’s songwriting continues to improve with each release.
The Mommyheads – “Chicken Soup”
One Eyed Band
After releasing their triumphant and daring 2023 concept album, Coney Island Kid, iconic pop band The Mommyheads return with the equally risky and fulfilling One Eyed Band. The 10-song odyssey has veteran studio musicians creating a unique strainer to filter their influences, blending acoustic folk, reggae, and jazz fusion into one mesmerizing LP. “Chicken Soup” opens the album with a colorful explosion of pop-rock prowess as a stadium-sized arrangement emphasizes the dynamic vocal performance, creating an anthem that only scratches the surface of the treasures hidden on One Eyed Band.
Yonder Mountain String Band – “Didn’t Go Wrong”
Nowhere Next
There has been a jam band-sized hole in bluegrass over the past few years, and Yonder Mountain String Band returns just in time to lift the genre up once again. Nowhere Next is a quaint album from a band that is no stranger to a studio session but seems to approach through a new lens every time they step behind a microphone. “Didn’t Go Wrong” is the fast-paced anthem that showcases Yonder’s twangy guitar prowess as the vocals craft infectious melodies and spin a heartbreaking tale of breaking trust and learning to recover from it.
Primal Scream – “Circus of Life”
Come Ahead
There is no telling what Primal Scream may sound like when they venture back into the studio for a new album, and they continue this streak with the experimental yet oddly familiar Come Ahead album. The psychedelic effort has the legendary provocateurs crafting subtly funky tunes that leap from dense synth work to downtrodden ambient anthems. “Circus of Life” lands somewhere between those two descriptors as fearless frontman Bobby Gillespie’s lo-fi vocals cut through angelic backing vocals and hectic drum patterns.
Homeshake – “Silverado”
Horsie (Deluxe)
It has been a busy year for Peter Sagar, the leader of the lo-fi bedroom rock outfit Homeshake. After releasing two studio LPs in 2024, Homeshake caps off the year with a six-song deluxe of his June LP, Horsie. The new tunes lean more towards the ambient side, allowing Sagar to experiment with the lush pop found in the original 12 songs. “Silverado” is a novel of an ambient ballad as Sagar’s dusty vocals barely reach over the thick wall of droning synths to deliver vivid imagery in the form of vague poetry for a beautifully simplistic ballad.
A$AP Ferg – “Pool” (Feat. Elmiene)
DAROLD
After what felt like a long four-year break from full projects, A$AP Ferg returns with the brutally honest and artistically daring DAROLD. These 12 songs are Ferg as we’ve never heard him before, with the artist pulling the curtain back to reveal the man he has matured into over the years. The Elmiene-assisted “Pool” is one of the more vulnerable songs on the album, with Ferg diving into his substance use. Elmiene gives us a soulful hook to tie it all together.
Moreish Idols – “Slouch”
Single
Moreish Idols are slowly paving their way to the top of the busy modern post-punk scene, and they only seem to be getting better with every release. This week, the band releases the infectious and minimalistic “Slouch,” their second single of 2024. The latest single features searing guitar tones that are surgical navigated by dream-like vocals, creating a sonic conflict that is all too enticing.
BADBADNOTGOOD & Tim Bernardes – “Poeira Cosmica”
Single
Jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD seems to have an endless supply of music just waiting to be released, and 2024 has seen them release plenty of it. Along with producing a phenomenal EP for vocalist Baby Rose and their monstrous Mid Spiral LP, the band returns with “Poeira Cosmica.” An uplifting string section accents the subtle grooves as BADBADNOTGOOD crafts an undeniable, whimsical jazz fusion piece.
Doves – “Renegade”
Constellations For The Lonely
Doves return with the announcement of their sixth studio album and first piece of new music in four years. Constellations For The Lonely is set to be released on February 14, and the sterling pop of “Renegade” is our first look at the upcoming release. The radio-ready single features booming vocals atop a warping arrangement that never stops evolving.
Kenny Mason – “HOODRAT”
Single
After releasing a quick yet impressive project in March and dropping off beautiful features for a plethora of stars, Kenny Mason returns to the solo spotlight with “HOODRAT.” Mason’s quick wit and even quicker delivery lay on top of heavenly backing vocals and neck-breaking drums for a quick reminder of Mason’s vocal range.
