It is another beautiful day for a slew of new releases, as if any day filled with refreshing music can be a bad one. With all the uncertainty in the world, New Music Friday serves as an anchor, keeping music fans grounded as the rest of the world scrambles to make sense of it all. This week, 2025 continues its hot streak with albums and singles ranging from nostalgic folk to futuristic pop balladry. There is no shortage of new music on this fine Friday, and there is not a bad place to start in sight. Pick an album, sit back, and let these sounds wash over you as you begin your holiday weekend.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music and be sure to check out our Caustic Spotify playlist to catch up on any releases you may have missed in April.
Beirut – “Ghost Train”
A Study of Losses
For his latest album, Beirut’s Zach Condon blends the whimsy and grace of a ballet with his lo-fi pop tendencies. Inspired by the German novel of the same name, A Study of Losses finds Condon exploring the nuances of longing while crafting sweeping instrumental pieces and heartfelt chamber pop balladry. “Ghost Train” is the infectious highlight of the LP, featuring the artist’s moving vocals soaring over a quaint folktronica arrangement. It offers a preview of Beirut’s most daring yet rewarding album to date.
Tunde Adebimpe – “Ate The Moon”
Thee Black Blotz
On his highly anticipated solo debut, TV On The Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe explores glitchy, electro-pop while showing off his range as a writer and vocalist. Thee Black Blotz beautifully lives up to the hype with 11 head-spinning ballads that range from artsy storytelling tracks to acoustic folk bliss. “Ate The Moon” lands on the more abstract side of the album with Adebimpe’s imaginative storytelling and warping vocals navigating industrial drum patterns and spurts of synths.
Melvins – “Venus Blood”
Thunderball
It has been almost a full calendar year since Melvins unleashed their Tarantula Heart LP, and the iconic Washington state hard rockers are already back with a new album. Thunderball is a quick and complex outing, with the band employing a whirling, electronic ambiance to juxtapose their dense guitar melodies and lo-fi vocals. “Venus Blood is the most straightforward moment of rock on the six-song tracklist. A subtle, jazzy swing welcomes us into what transitions into face-melting guitar work from a legendary band with a restless spirit.
Fotoform – “Reconcile the Blue”
Grief is a Garden (Forever in Bloom)
Alt-pop band Fotoform emerges with their first new album since 2021, and it continues the band’s fusion of post-punk guitars and shoegaze-style vocals. Grief is a Garden (Forever in Bloom) is the band’s third LP, and it is brimming with lush vocals tinted with longing that cascade around chugging tempos. “Reconcile the Blue” is a stunning piece of shoegaze bliss with soaring vocals that leisurely skate across soupy tones.
Julien Baker & TORRES – “Tape Runs Out”
Send A Prayer My Way
On their first full-length collaborative project, Julien Baker and TORRES combine their songwriting prowess with twangy arrangements and palpable vulnerability. Send a Prayer My Way is an awe-inspiring set of ballads featuring colorful storytelling and whimsical harmonies, all marked by poetic honesty. “Tape Runs Out” captures your attention with swaying melodies and a folksy ambiance, while the songwriting pulls you in deeper to unveil a tale of modern love and heartbreak.
Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson – “Old Joe Clark”
What Did The Blackbird Say to the Crow
Two of the Carolina Chocolate Drops are back together for a sprawling, toe-tapping collaborative effort from Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson. What Did The Blackbird Say to the Crow is a honed 18-track LP that showcases the duo’s chemistry has never left, as they present their mastery of folksy bluegrass with otherworldly twang. “Old Joe Clark” is as traditional as folk can get with bouncing acoustics that make just enough room for the raw vocals to deliver their subtle touch.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – “Deadstick”
Phantom Island
The prolific psych-rock sonic chameleons King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard announce their 27th studio effort and deliver their latest single. Phantom Island, set to be released on June 13, is poised to be a swinging, jazz-fusion record with grandiose tendencies. “Deadstick is our latest single, featuring explosive horn sections accompanied by searing guitar melodies. It combines the band’s past with this new sound they’ve discovered.
Adrianne Lenker – “Happiness (live)”
Live at Revolution Hall
Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker prepares fans for her first live solo album with a performance of a previously unreleased song. Live at Revolution Hall will be released on April 24 and will feature 43 tracks, including “Happiness.” The album’s lead single is an unheard Lenker tune that pairs soft acoustics with gentle imagery as the artist’s vocals crackle over cloud-like guitar work.
Militarie Gun & Dazy – “Tall People Don’t Live Long”
Single
After initially teaming up in 2022, alt-rockers Militarie Gun team up with hazy indie rock star Dazy for a new single. “Tall People Don’t Live Long” is a jangly, pop-leaning single that has the artist employing deep grooves and loose melodies for a freeing and hypnotic single. This song marks Militarie Gun’s first release of 2025.
Fontaines D.C. – “Before You I Just Forget”
Romance (Deluxe Edition)
Ireland’s post-punk golden child, Fontaines D.C., took some time this week to release the deluxe version of their acclaimed 2024 LP. The deluxe edition of Romance adds three songs to the album, including a live song, the previously released “It’s Amazing To Be Young” single, and the brand new track “Before You I Just Forget.” The newest Fontaines tune is a mesmerizing blend of lo-fi rock and psychedelic undertones, emphasizing the low tones of the vocals for a tight, murky single.
MIKE & Tony Seltzer – “Prezzy”
Pinball II
After first collaborating on the fantastic Pinball LP in 2024, emcee/producer MIKE is back with versatile producer Tony Seltzer for the anticipated follow-up. Pinball II follows the same abstract sonic trajectory of the duo’s first collaboration and is set to be released on May 7. “Prezzy” is the hectic lead single that finds the duo flexing their chemistry, as MIKE’s animated flows navigate hard-hitting drum patterns.
Royale Lynn – “GREED”
BLACK MAGIC
Up-and-coming artist Royale Lynn announces her debut album and drops the next explosive single. BLACK MAGIC, produced by Jonathan Roach, will be released via Epitaph Records on June 27. Our latest single, “GREED,” seamlessly blends explosive stadium rock with Lynn’s pop sensibilities, showcasing her vocal range in a daring display that pays off tremendously.
James McMurtry – “The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy”
The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy
Texas’s James McMurtry returns with his first new album in four years and a brand new single. The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy will be released on June 20 and already sounds like a mature continuation of McMurtry’s sterling discography. The title track is our lead single, transporting the listener to a place of innocence as the artist croons out a spinning narrative about youth and its turbulence.
Brent Cobb & The Fixin’s – “Ain’t Rocked in a While”
Ain’t Rocked in a While
Celebrated singer/songwriter/musician Brent Cobb announced his first album with his band, The Fixin’s, and shares their debut single. Ain’t Rocked in a While will be released on July 11, and the title track is our first preview of the upcoming release. The fuzzy garage rock tune features psychedelic tendencies that aid in the message of the song; Never forget to leave some time for old-fashioned rocking.
Boldly James & Real Bad Man – “It Factor” (Feat. El-P)
Conversational Pieces
Two of Hip-hop’s most prolific players are back together for their first full-length collaboration since 2022’s Killing Nothing. On Conversational Pieces, set to be released on May 2, producer Real Bad Man’s smooth sounds meet James’s slick rhyme schemes. One of the two lead singles is the El-P-assisted “It Factor.” The single features hauntingly beautiful samples that combine for a collage of jazzy undertones, the perfect canvas for James’s and El-P’s braggadocious rhymes and acrobatic vocals.
