In these Caustic introductions, we talk a lot about how each week feels like it could compete to be the most exciting collection of new releases in 2025. You may think it’s hyperbolic for the sake of it, but when you’re in a whirlwind of realized anticipation that is quickly filled with even more excitement, it’s easy to get ahead of yourself. This week, the second to last of February, is a Caustic you don’t want to miss. This week finds band members venturing into solo material, triumphant returns from genre masterminds, and daring explorations into artistic minds. This week’s Caustic feels like a look into just how expansive modern music really is, and how deciding to listen to something out of your comfort zone could rattle your taste in a good way. Dare to dive into something new on this fantastically mesmerizing list of new music, you never know what might touch your heart.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new releases, and be sure to give our new Caustic playlist and listen to catch up on this month’s best.
Jesse Welles – “Every Grain of Sand”
Middle
Jesse Welles is quickly establishing himself as one of the more exciting voices to emerge in the singer/songwriter scene in quite some time, and his third project in less than a year proves he is far from done evolving. Middle is a 12-track journey through Welles’s expansive sonic library as the artist peruses the shelves to find hints of pop, neo-Americana, and soulful twang. “Every Grain of Sand” lands in the middle ground of these three genres. Welles’s soulful vocals wrap around toe-tapping acoustics for a catchy and impactful moment on a stellar LP.
Sam Fender – “TV Dinner”
People Watching
It has been four long years since we heard from Sam Fender, the singer/songwriter/guitarist who exploded onto the scene only a short few years ago. Today, Fender breaks his silence with his most daring yet triumphant album to date with People Watching. The 11-song album reintroduces Fender as a cinematic songwriter whose acrobatic vocals never cease to throw your ears into a welcomed frenzy, and “TV Dinner” is just one piece of this journey. The stand-out tune has Fender crafting a swaying vocal performance over swelling strings and subtle ambiance for a heartfelt anthem.
Youth Lagoon – “Canary”
Rarely Do I Dream
Trevor Powers returns under his moniker Youth Lagoon for his most vulnerable and fully-realized album in his wildly colorful discography. Rarely Do I Dream is a 12-song odyssey into the nuances of Powers’s artistry and perspective, showcasing a new side of an artist who has already built such a close relationship with the listener. “Canary” only scratches the surface of the prowess on display here. A sinfully infectious anthem, “Canary” is a simplistic look into an awe-inspiring effort with Powers’s vocals sweeping over a sturdy yet warm instrumentation.
Patterson Hood – “The Forks of Cypress” (Feat. Waxahatchee)
Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams
Drive-By Truckers’s Patterson Hood returns to the solo realm for the first time in over a decade with Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams. The 10-song album feels spacious yet honed with Hood’s eerie and welcoming vocals navigating a plethora of nuanced Americana stylings. The Waxahatchee-assisted “The Forks of Cypress” is a quaint duet with poetic songwriting that fills the gaps left by the muted acoustics for an unforgettable folk ballad.
The Young Mothers – “Hymn”
Better If You Let It
The otherworldly jazz supergroup, The Young Mothers, have officially released their anticipated sophomore effort, and it was worth every second of the wait. Better If You Let It has arrived in all its syncopated glory with the band’s freewheeling approach to jazz coming to life across five spellbinding pieces of spiritual jazz. “Hymn” seemingly unraveled before your eyes in the best way possible. What starts as a smokey jazz standard evolves into a space-aged song of cosmic proportions as The Young Mothers create a statement piece of a sophomore LP.
IDER – “Zero”
Late to the World
Art-pop duo IDER mark their welcomed return with an LP brimming with examples of their grasp on the intricacies of synthpop, and how they are able to make them their own. Late to the World seems like an appropriate name for the apocalyptic yet refreshing 12-song album. Even with bouncy synths driving the majority of the project, IDER found a way to make this typically bright genre sound downtrodden and honest. “Zero” features off-kilter keys and soaring harmonies that give listeners a break from the catchy hooks and slightly heartbreaking songwriting.
Califone – “The Bullet b4 the Sound”
The Villager’s Companion
Tim Rutli’s experimental rock band Clifone is back with a quick nine-song outing containing daring renditions of Americana tropes the band bent and twisted to their lofty liking. The Villager’s Companion is a follow-up to the band’s 2023 LP, Villagers. The album features nine tunes that were cut during the sessions for Villagers, with “The Bullet b4 the Sound” being a palpable highlight. The slightly psychedelic and entirely urgent anthem explores the turmoils of escapism in a world where that feels like the only option. Sliding guitars elevate the spacious vocal performance, giving “The Bullet b4 the Sound” a space-aged atmosphere, despite the lyrics being deeply rooted in reality.
Sunny War – “No One Calls Me Baby”
Armageddon In A Summer Dress
Sunny War has been a key figure, and one could argue leader, in the modern blues revivalist scene, and her reign over the genre strengthens with her new album. Armageddon In A Summer Dress is a beautifully crafted LP with eleven examples of War’s artistic evolution and her ability to bring nostalgic blues to modern times. “No One Calls Me Baby” is modern blues in the purest sense. It is a heartfelt, minimalistic ballad with a busy arrangement that could only be cut by War’s passionate vocals and gorgeous songwriting.
Will Johnson – “Floodway Fall”
Diamond City
The 400 Unit’s Will Johnson took the time this week to announce his tenth solo album and deliver its lead single. Diamond City is set to be released on April 4 and will mark Johnson’s first solo outing since 2023. “Floodway Fall,” our lead single, is a moving Americana ballad with soft vocals that beautifully juxtapose a sturdy drum pattern and loose guitar melodies.
Hannah Cohen – “Draggin’”
Earthstar Mountain
Indie pop star Hannah Cohen is gearing up to release her new album, Earthstar Mountain, on March 28. For the latest single, Cohen employs nuanced country influences for a touching anthem about letting go, even when it seems like the toughest option. “Draggin’” breathes new life into Cohen’s pop tendencies as her infectious melodies careen around thudding drums and wonky guitars.
Hurray for the Riff Raff – “Pyramid Scheme”
Single
Coming off of a wildly successful 2024 with the release of her critically acclaimed The Past Is Still Alive LP, Hurray for the Riff Raff returns with a new single that deserves equal praise. “Pyramid Scheme” shines a light on the artist’s imaginative storytelling as she employs vivid imagery to detail a persistent pursuit of trying to get close to someone.
Vulfpeck – “Tender Defender”
Clarity of Cal
Recorded live across a select few West Coast live shows, funk band Vulfpeck’s new album is set to be their most ambitious to date. Clarity of Cal is set to be released on March 4, and the smooth “Tender Defender” is our latest single. The jazz fusion anthem is as catchy as they come with blaring horn sections cutting through sky-high falsettos that are emphasized by the live atmosphere of the recording.
Friendship – “Free Association”
Caveman Wakes Up
Merge Records is proud to present the new album from Philadelphia’s indie quartet Friendship. Caveman Wakes Up is set to be released on May 16 and will mark the band’s first album since 2022. “Free Association” is the stunning lead single with searing string sections and dancing horn melodies that shed light on the heartbreaking songwriting.
McKinley Dixon – “Sugar Water” (Feat. Quelle Chris & Anjimile)
Magic, Alive!
Coming off the release of his most successful album yet, Virginia’s McKinley Dixon returns with an album that is already promising to cement his name in the modern era. Magic, Alive! is set to be released on June 6, and the animated “Sugar Water” is our lead single. The Quelle Chris and Anjimile-assisted single sees Dixon’s jazz tendencies evolving into free falling form as beautiful harmonies and venomous verses skate over a spellbinding instrumental.
James Krivchenia – “Probably Wizards”
Performing Belief
Big Thief’s James Krivchenia has announced his first piece of solo material in five years, and the lead single should be all you need to buy into the hype. Performing Belief is set to be released on May 2, and with the help of Sam Wilkes, we receive our lead single with the announcement. “Probably Wizards” is a bouncy instrumental dance tune that strays far away from Krivchenia’s work with his band. The electro-dance number will have you moving in your seat before you know it, and even better, sprinting to mark the release date on your nearest calendar.
