The best part of a short workweek, besides having an extra day to unwind, is that the days seem to fly by. Just as you were dreading returning to work on Tuesday, you realize that you’re now one day closer to New Music Friday, and we have a gangbusters list of new releases for the last Friday of May. As summer gets underway, the old Caustic factory continues to belch plumes of smoke out of its chimneys as we turn through a slew of fantastic releases to bring you the brightest of the bunch. This week, we explore refreshing psychedelic pop, incredibly unique Hip-hop, and moving folk balladry. Whatever your flavor is, this week’s Caustic has something for you.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music, and be sure to give May’s Caustic
Playlist a spin before heading into what is shaping up to be a busy June.
Ty Segall – “Alive”
Possession
Fans of the psych-rock icon Ty Segall didn’t have to wait too long for new music from the artist, but this new material is a far cry from what you’d expect. The poetically jovial, pop-leaning Possession follows Segall’s busy 2024 and finds the artist replacing his distorted guitars with swelling strings and sweetly sung melodies. “Alive” scratches the surface of this new sonic territory as Segall’s nostalgic harmonies collide with cinematic crescendoes for an epic stand-out from a terrifically infectious LP from Segall.
Aesop Rock – “Snail Zero”
Black Hole Superette
The storied and prolific Hip-hop veteran Aesop Rock adds another stunning concept album to his legacy with the release of Black Hole Superette. The concept of the LP is hidden under Rock’s diverse, neck-break production and witty rhyme schemes as he pieces together a bold 18-song outing overflowing with his unique prowess. “Snail Zero” takes the mundane and makes it extraordinary as Rock rattles off the ups and downs of his new aquarium while providing subtle wisdom, all while a hypnotic drum pattern emphasizes every syllable of Rock’s immersive storytelling.
The Minus 5 – “I Don’t Want to Hate Anyone”
Oar On, Penelope!
Thirty years into their storied career, The Minus 5 are still as freewheeling and energetic as the day they introduced their unique brand of folk-rock to the world. On their new album, Oar On, Penelope!, the Scott McCaughey-led outfit pieced together 12 songs with high-flying vocals that deliver jovial melodies and palpable emotions. “I Don’t Want to Hate Anyone” explores the mental exhaustion of putting your energy towards the negative. The lighthearted highlight contains some uplifting undertones as the band sheds itself of hatred over a hectic, bright arrangement.
Amy Millan – “Don Valley”
I Went To Find You
On her first solo album since 2009, Stars’ leader Amy Millan basks in the solo spotlight via nine nimble, folksy ballads. I Went To Find You is an intimate set of quaint folk tunes with Millan’s whimsical vocals falling over acoustic bliss and twinkling minimalism. “Don Valley” evokes the warmth of your favorite blanket as Millan’s gentle vocal approach navigates simplistic keys and heartfelt guitar melodies for a spiritually uplifting anthem tinted with longing.
Watchhouse – “In The Sun”
Rituals
The iconic folk duo, Watchhouse, is back with another set of duets that are as ethereal as they are rootsy and earthbound. Rituals is an 11-track LP overflowing with sentimentality as the duo layers their vocal prowess and sets it to subtle ambiance. “In The Sun” is a nostalgic love song that transports the listener back to a simpler time when love felt uncomplicated and pure. With the help of toe-tapping acoustics, Watchhouse highlights the longing for something you already have as they pine for a simple day with their loved one.
Swans – “Guardian Spirit”
Birthing
The consistently cinematic and ever-evolving art-rock icons Swans have emerged from the mysterious depths with a two-hour onslaught of industrial tones and orchestral tendencies. Birthing finds the legendary band continuing their exploration in sound collages with a haunting, 7-song LP. “Guardian Spirit” is a 10-minute highlight that begins as an eerie trip through a strange forest, bursting into a car-crash-style rock as searing guitars collide with acrobatic vocals for a face-melting tune from a veteran band.
Matt Berninger – “Nowhere Special”
Get Sunk
The National’s Matt Berninger is one of the hardest-working men in music, creating indie rock classics with his band and collaborating with some of music’s brightest stars. This time around, Berninger takes the spotlight for himself as he releases the second solo effort of his career. Get Sunk finds the artist toying with pop tropes and blurring the lines between conventional and experimentation. “Nowhere Special” features a hypnotic, spoken-word-style vocal performance that adds a low grumble to the off-kilter arrangement, making for a refreshing ballad.
The Budos Band – “Curse of the Ivory Fang”
VII
New York-bred fusion masterminds The Budos Band return with their seventh studio LP. VII continues the band’s hot streak of bringing explosive funk-jazz fusion to modern times through swelling instrumentation that poetically warps and bends in a full emotional release of unpredictable music. “Curse of the Ivory Fang” creates a rainbow of textures with blaring horns and psychedelic guitars that combine for a head-spinning display of pure fusion solace.
Grace Potter – “Make You Cry”
Medicine
Initially recorded in 2008, Grace Potter’s latest solo outing is a revival of her roots that had been dormant for more than a decade, until now. Medicine has finally arrived in all its glory, and it is the raw blues-rock outing we all hoped it would be. These 12 songs capture the innocence of a young artist and the fiery passion it takes to forge a career as celebrated as Potter’s. “Make You Cry” is a swaying stand-out with an unbelievable vocal performance that grooves along with the subtle touches of jazz.
Clipse – “Ace Trumpets”
Let God Sort Em Out
After a long few years of hinting at a return, the first Clipse album in 15 years finally has a release date. The duo of Pusha T and No Malice is back and sounding as venomous as they did during their reign over the early 2000s. Their new album, Let God Sort Em Out, is set to be released on July 11, marking the duo’s first LP since 2009. Our lead single, “Ace Trumpets,” features lush, droning synths that act as a canvas for the duo to pick up right where they left off.
GANS – “IT’S JUST LIFE”
GOOD FOR THE SOUL
GANS has been making a splash in the indie rock world since they introduced themselves in 2023, and now they’re ready to make their proper debut. The band’s first album, GOOD FOR THE SOUL, is set to be released on September 19, and while that feels far away, the new single should be enough to hold you over. “IT’S JUST LIFE” is the type of song you should chant in a large gathering. The chaotic tune features soaring vocals with aggressive undertones that bounce off the walls created by the danceable drum patterns and electro-pop influences.
Mary in the Junkyard – “drains”
Single
Just before they head out on tour in support of Wet Leg, British DIY indie rock darlings Mary in the Junkyard release a rocking new single. “Drains” is unprocessed modern indie rock with touches of garage psychedelia, creating a welcoming yet complex arrangement for the wistful vocals to weave through. “Drains” marks the band’s first release of 2025.
MAVI – “Landgrab” (Feat. Earl Sweatshirt)
Single
MAVI continues to cement his growing legacy with a mesmerizing new single with fellow modern Hip-hop legend Earl Sweatshirt. “Landgrab” finds the unofficial duo trading blindingly energetic verses over a soulful instrumental from rising producer Hollywood Cole. Their new single comes after a long line of collaborations, and with each one, MAVI and Sweatshirt’s chemistry only gets stronger.
Durand Jones & The Indications – “Lover’s Holiday”
Flowers
We are slowly approaching the release of Durand Jones & The Indications’ anticipated new album, their first in four years. Flowers is set to be released on June 27, and the modern soul mainstays release the criminally smooth single “Lover’s Holiday.” The new single is a rapturous ballad about escapism that creates its own world for the listener to escape into, thanks to wavy melodies and nimble acoustics.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – “BOYS WITH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF WOLVES”
CURSE – EP
The prolific project of Ruban Nielson returns with a new EP poised to be a creative landmark for Unknown Mortal Orchestra. CURSE, their new 6-song EP, arrives on June 18 via Jagjaguwar, and the lead single is a stunning exploration of folksy limitations. “BOYS WITH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF WOLVES” starts as a soft acoustic ballad before exploding into a universe of distortion and low vocals, creating a warping single that reveals a new sonic layer with every listen.
