With everything happening in the U.S. recently, it might be hard to find solace. Our hearts are with California and those affected by the recent fires as we attempt to find inner peace with the one thing powerful enough to do so: Music. This New Music Friday is nothing short of a kaleidoscope lens on modern music. This week, we have a colorful list of recent releases that range from psychedelic pop to heartfelt, artsy folk. This Friday paints an exciting picture of the year to come, as it feels like we are entering a renaissance period as artists, just as lost as the rest of us, put their emotions into melodies.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music below.
Songhoy Blues – “Boutiki”
Héritage
For their first album in five years, Mali’s Songhoy Blues leans on nimble guitars that echo a stunning simplicity that beautifully accents their signature approach to vocals. The 11-song outing has the band employing a more acoustic sound, allowing the nuances of their vocal prowess to shine. “Boutiki” is an early favorite encompassing Songhoy Blues’ new sonic territory. Wistful guitar melodies drive the track, and juxtaposing vocals sound bright as the band fearlessly enters a new era in their storied careers.
Pigeon Pit – “Hot Shower Winter Morning”
Crazy Arms
Singer/songwriter Pigeon Pit returns with a quick yet potent album brimming with examples of their growth as a lyricist. Crazy Arms is 12 acoustic ballads that range from indie rock influences to punk fury, showing us the band’s true range and ability to genre shift seamlessly. “Hot Shower Winter Morning” is considered slow-burning compared to some of the other cuts from Crazy Arms. The vivid imagery painted by Pigeon Pit is delivered in distant, lo-fi vocals as the band makes the simple things in life sound even better.
David Gray – “Future Bride”
Dear Life
For his next trick, the acclaimed multi-faceted David Gray crafts a cinematic LP that captures the feeling of the noir-style artwork. Dear Life arrives in a confetti blast of minimalistic arrangements and heartfelt songwriting as Gray creates 13 songs, each containing a microcosm of the human experience. “Future Bride” is one of the brighter songs on the album, with Gray’s animated vocals navigating bouncing drums and sunshine-drenched horn sections.
The Weather Station – “Ribbon”
Humanhood
After much anticipation and a few jaw-dropping singles, The Weather Station’s new album is finally yours for your listening pleasure. The stripped-back outing has Tamara Lindeman adding splashes of monochrome over a busy modern folk scene, as Humanhood already sounds like a creative breakthrough for the project. “Ribbon” is a smokey ballad that places you right in the middle of Lindeman’s narrative. Dark pianos drive this love story as Lindeman’s storytelling ability dances around the off-kilter instrumentation in an artsy flair.
Mac Miller – “Mrs. Deborah Downer”
Balloonerism
The late Mac Miller created his album Balloonerism while working on his 2014 Faces mixtape. After Miller commissioned the artwork, the album was shelved until today. The 14-song album is a beautifully weird tribute to Miller’s most obscure influences and how he can capture their nuance and craft something completely original. “Mrs. Deborah Dower” only hints at the dark, prophetic songwriting and left-field song structure that drive Balloonerism. The lyrics paint an eerie portrait of the future as Miller croons over hard-hitting drums and jazzy undertones.
Amayo – “Happy Lion”
Lion Awakes
Across five songs and a nearly 40-minute runtime, Amayo packs his worldwide influences into small chunks of syncopated grooves and acrobatic vocals. Lion Awakes is the highly anticipated album from Amayo, and not a second of it disappoints. His words come to life and shimmy along the edges of the colorful arrangements, and “Happy Lion” is a shimmering example of fantastically unique artistry. This song feels like it should be echoing through the halls of a stadium. Larger-than-life horn sections contradict the quaint yet cartoonish synths as Amayo’s vocals tie a bow around the danceable melodies.
Geologist & D.S. – “Loose Gravel”
A Shaw Deal
Animal Collective’s Geologist and D.S. will release their new album, A Shaw Deal, on January 31. The seven-track album features the duo reimagining tunes from the legendary folk artist Sleepy Dog Shaw. The latest single from the LP is “Loose Gravel,” an ambient track featuring warping synths and hypnotic loops that deliver spellbinding electronic melodies.
Patchwork Inc. & Wyatt Waddell – “Last Forever”
Single
A new project from Blake Rhein comes from the good people over at Colemine Records. Patchwork Inc. features Rhein working with musicians to craft smooth soul music with ambient, jazzy undertones. The new collective’s debut single features singer/songwriter Wyatt Waddell crooning a love poem over gentle simplicity.
Nels Cline – “The 23”
Consentrik Quartet
Wilco member and multi-faceted guitarist Nels Cline is gearing up to release his anticipated solo album. Consentrik Quartet will arrive on March 14 and have Cline working with saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock, bassist Chris Lightcap, and drummer Tom Rainey. The lead single, “The 23,” is a nostalgic, smokey jazz number with deep grooves and bouncy melodies.
Lilly Hiatt – “Kwik-E-Mart”
Forever
We are only a few weeks away from Lily Hiatt’s new album, and every single adds to the excitement. Forever is set to be released on January 31, and this week, we received the murky new single “Kwik-E-Mart.” The grunge-leaning single has Hiatt’s vocals blending with conflicting guitar tones as the artist delivers moving poetry.
My Morning Jacket – “Time Waited”
is
My Morning Jacket has little left to prove, as they have already withstood the test of time with a few alt-rock classics that defined their times. In 2025, the acclaimed band returns with their 10-song album, set to be released on March 21. “Time Waited” is our moving lead single, featuring captivating piano work. My Morning Jacket ushers in a new era with a modern sound that will still appeal to day-one fans.
Babe Rainbow – “Like Cleopatra”
Slipper imp and shakaerator
Australia’s Babe Rainbow’s new album, Slipper imp and shakaerator, will be released on April 4. The 11-song LP was announced earlier this week and will be released by King Gizzard’s p(doom) label. The psychedelic-pop anthem “Like Cleopatra” is our lead single featuring lush vocals enrobing an unpredictable arrangement, creating a world of alien colors to get lost in as we patiently wait for the entire LP.
The Tubs – “Narcissist”
Cotton Crown
After crashing onto the busy post-punk scene in 2023 with a folksy touch, The Tubs set their sights on their sophomore LP. Cotton Crown is set to be released on March 7, along with the previously released “Freak Mode,” The Tubs release “Narcissist.” The jangly single is a pop-leaning ballad with searing guitars and angelic harmonies.
Matching Outfits – “No Whiskey”
Single
This week, the folksy indie rock band Matching Outfits announced that they have signed with Bar None Records and Dreams of Field with a heartbreaking yet whimsical new single. The Emperor X-produced “No Whiskey” attempts to simplify the complex emotions of heartbreak over the warmth of dreary acoustics.
MIKE – “Bear Trap”
Showbiz!
East Coast producer/rapper/songwriter MIKE took this new music Friday to unveil a new single and provide more information about his upcoming LP. The prolific artist’s Showbiz! LP will be released on January 31, and this week, we received the official cover art, tracklist, and a new single from the project. “Bear Trap” will kick off the 24-song project, and MIKE’s lo-fi preaching sounds as honed as ever. The hazy new single has rolling piano melodies elevating every breath out of MIKE’s mouth, as you wouldn’t want to miss a single word.
