The first month of 2025 is coming to a close, and what a whirlwind it has been. With the cornucopia of new albums already released and the avalanche coming over the horizon, it can be the best kind of overwhelming. January is going out with a bang as we have a classic all-encompassing Caustic to throw at you before the weekend. This week, we have debuts galore of old friends putting on fresh faces and modern icons continuing to dominate their respective lanes. The final Caustic of January is busy, but it is perfect to keep you occupied as the winter outside intensifies.
And now, we are introducing the Caustic Spotify playlist! All the songs we have featured throughout the month will now have a home on Glide’s official Spotify Account. You can find the playlist below and Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music below.
Bonnie “Prince” Billy – “The Water’s Fine”
The Purple Bird
Every time Will Oldham decides to duck into his Bonnie “Prince” Billy moniker, it feels like we get a little closer to understanding the elusive artist. The Purple Bird is the latest chapter in Oldham’s solo journey, and the artist is diving into nostalgia to unearth something new. The 12-song outing features Oldham’s poetic songwriting navigating classic country tropes, ranging from two-stepping honky tonk to slow-burning Americana balladry. “The Water’s Fine” leans to the honky tonk side, with Oldham’s melodies levitating over infectious twang from glistening guitars and nimble string melodies.
Moe. – “Don’tcha Know”
Circle of Giants
One of the more mysterious and genre-bending figures in the jam band scene, Moe. returns with a psychedelic new LP. Circle of Giants is a collection of 10 reality-altering moments that capture the expansive sonic landscape the band has covered since the ’90s. “Don’tcha Know” is an early favorite from the exciting project. The tune is an onslaught of hazy vocals navigating chaotic drum patterns and searing.
Freckle – “Heavy”
Freckle
Garage rock mastermind Ty Segall and Color Green frontman Corey Madden are Freckle, and their debut album is the marriage of two worlds. The newly formed duo’s self-titled debut teems with nostalgic psych-rock tunes and layered vocals that cascade around everything from acoustic plucking to dense, rabid fire melodies. “Heavy leans toward the latter as blazing guitar sections greet with a whirlwind of vocal prowess. Feckle finds two virtuosos continuing to explore their prowess.
L.S. Dunes – “Holograms”
Violet
The punk-tinted supergroup L.S. Dunes has returned with an expansive, anthemic sophomore effort. Violet is ten chugging post-punk gems meant to be played loud and written to be screamed. “Holograms” stands out thanks to the warping vocal performance, which gracefully blankets the dense yet dynamic arrangement.
Maribou State – “II Remember”
Hallucinating Love
The electronic duo Maribou State has built a discography that goes against the grain, using unusual sample techniques and live instrumentations to create their sonic worlds. This trend continues on Hallucinating Love, the duo’s first LP since 2018’s Kingdoms In Colour. The ten-song outing finds Maribou State in a dreamy mindset, crafting plush arrangements with “II Remember” towering over the rest of the tracklist. Hauntingly beautiful backing vocals bend around unassuming groves for a danceable cut from a stellar LP.
Pink Siifu – “Last One Alive’!”
Black’!Antique
For his first album after a long run of acclaimed collaborative projects, Alabama’s acrobatic vocalist Pink Siifu releases a whirlwind of an LP. Black’!Antique is 19 examples of how Siifu separates himself from the busy modern Hip-hop world. The complex outing features onslaughts of electronic distortion meeting jazzy vocals and masterful songwriting, with “Last One Alive’!” standing out as an early favorite. A smooth horn melody emphasizes Siifu’s sleek cadence for one of the more conventional moments on the artist’s latest statement piece.
Lilly Hiatt – “Evelyn’s House”
Forever
The day has finally arrived, and Lilly Hiatt’s Forever was well worth the wait. The singer/songwriter’s latest is a quick yet commanding set of songs ranging from jangly indie-rock to moments of sentimental psychedelia, all tied together by Hiatt’s ever-evolving range. “Evelyn’s House” is a captivating cut from Forever that sees Hiatt’s falsettos dancing around jovial acoustics and spring-loaded tempos.
MIKE – “Burning House”
Showbiz!
The prolific writer/rapper/producer MIKE has been on a generational run since 2018, and the fire that keeps the artist going is far from extinguishing. Today marks the release of Showbiz! MIKE’s 24-song LP is a chalice overflowing with lo-fi Hip-hop treasures. Picking one song to feature from this album is tough, but the eerie string loops and low gurgles on “Burning House” are a good place to start. The song showcases MIKE’s masterful songwriting as his poetry bobs and weaves around beat switches and mood changes.
Geologist & D.S. – “Knuckles to Nostrils”
A Shaw Deal
Animal Collective’s Geologist (Brian Weitz) and guitar virtuoso Doug Shaw have teamed up for a wonderfully complex collaborative album. A Shaw Deal features Weitz tweaking Shaw’s guitar prowess through a series of psychedelic, electronic tricks; the results are not of this earth. The seven-song album is a journey through the duo’s unique chemistry, with “Knuckles to Nostrils” being one of the more straightforward examples of the album’s individuality. A bouncy guitar loop drives the space-aged tune with oddly danceable melodies and unpredictable structure.
Charley Crockett – “Lonesome Drifter”
Lonesome Drifter
Things never seem to slow down for the modern, soulful country crooner Charley Crockett, and he’s kicking off the year on an exciting note. Crockett has announced Lonesome Drifter, the artist’s new album, is set to be released on March 14. The title track acts as our first look at the project, with Crockett’s vocals coming through in a cloud of dust as a simplistic arrangement evokes the feeling of speeding down a deserted highway to a place you’re unfamiliar with.
Goose – “Give It Time”
Everything Must Go
This week, the modern rock fusion masterminds behind Goose shared details on their latest release, Everything Must Go, which will be released on April 25. The moving “Give It Time” is our first preview of the anticipated project. The lead single is a heartfelt, nearly seven-minute ballad that uses the power of unpredictability to shift moods from a slow-burning love ballad to a stadium-sized rock anthem.
Mike Frazier – “April Days”
April Days
Singer/songwriter Mike Frazier announced his seventh studio album and shared the title track from the anticipated release. “April Day” is an optimistic waltz with a driving piano that lifts Frazier’s vulnerable songwriting to new palpable levels. April Days, the album, is set to be released on April 25.
Tunde Adebimpe – “Drop”
Thee Black Boltz
The debut solo album from TV on The Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe is slowly approaching, and anticipation is thick in the air. Thee Black Boltz will be released on April 18, and along with the previously released “Magnetic,” the new single “Drop” will be featured on the upcoming LP. The latest single features simplistic yet potent sentiments cascading around groovy drums and subtle touches of blissful ambiance.
SNACKTIME – “Together” (Feat. Devon Gilfillian)
Single
SNACKTIME is one of the most exciting voices to emerge from Philly’s colorful music scene in some years, and they seem far from slowing down. After spending 2024 establishing themselves with several releases, the funk band reimagines a highlight from last year’s run with a soulful twist. The Devon Gilfillian-assisted “Together” goes from jagged electronics to velvet-lined jazz on this new version, with the loose melodies further pushing SNACKTIME’s message of music that brings the world closer.
Black Country, New Road – “Besties”
Forever Howlong
For the first time since 2022, we have news on brand new Black County, New Road. The post-punk golden children announce Forever Howlong, which will be released on April 4. “Besties” is the intro to the 11-song album and our lead single. The epic lightheartedness of the single showcases a brighter side of the band, alerting fans that their new LP might not be what you expect, but it will be far from a disappointment.
