The heat of Summer is crashing through our windows with the fury of an intruder, and the humidity of a bustling kitchen. The sun beats down strongly on this New Music Friday, and what a cacophony of fresh releases we have for you this week. Think of this Caustic as a bouquet of roses. When put together, their beauty intensifies, but even on their own, there is an innocence that is captivating and lovely. This week, we have boundary-pushing jazz that adds new shades and dimensions to the modern scene, daring folk releases that immerse the listener in their stories, and familiar faces taking daring leaps into new territory.
You can check out our picks for the week’s best new music below, and be sure to follow our Caustic Spotify playlist to keep up with June’s releases.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – “Panpsych”
Phantom Island
The ever-evolving Australian outfit King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard morphs into a soulful, jazzy orchestra on their 27th LP, Phantom Island. The cinematic LP is ten grandiose tunes that find Gizzard melting their psychedelic tendencies over lush orchestral arrangements for yet another stunning sonic leap for the band. “Panpsych” is an early highlight from the album, featuring groovy melodies and whimsical harmonies that blend for a funky performance that stands out on this undeniably infectious tracklist.
WITCH – “Dancer on a Trip”
SOGOLO
Zamrock pioneers WITCH returns with a pure, psychedelic, and urgent LP overflowing with funky melodies and veteran excellence. SOGOLO arrives in all its glory today, and the 12-song LP finds WITCH reaching back to their roots and molding their unique sound for modern times. “Dance on a Trip” feels like an acid-induced journey through the history of percussion. The stand-out song from SOGOLO is a face-melting example of the hypnotic psychedelia that fills out WITCH’s latest album.
Gasoline Lollipops – “Black Hole”
Kill The Architect
Roots rock mainstays Gasoline Lollipops return with a consistently entertaining yet sonically diverse LP, their first in five years. Kill The Architect ranges from sentimental balladry to stadium-sized riffs, all being tied together by the band’s rootsy aesthetic. “Black Hole” leans to the softer side of Kill The Architect, with acoustic melodies akin to raindrops that cover a heartfelt vocal performance in a cloak of vulnerability.
Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts – “Silver Eagle”
Talkin to the Trees
Neil Young has absolutely nothing left to prove to the music world, yet his late-period catalog continues to grow like a tree’s branches, wildly and at the will of Mother Nature. Talkin to the Trees finds Young putting together a veteran band of familiar faces that take his lyrics and build a kaleidoscopic world around them, creating a wide-ranging tracklist. “Silver Eagle” embarks on a cross-country journey, incorporating elements of hallucinations and dirt roads to create a toe-tapping example of Young’s legend, one that never ceases to evolve.
Brandee Younger – “New Pinnacle”
Gadabout Season
Harpist Brandee Younger marks her triumphant return to the jazz world with an LP of vast beauty and elegance. Gadabout Season is an immersive set of songs that pushes the boundaries of modern jazz via nimble melodies that slow dance together. “New Pinnacle” is a highlight from the LP that is subtle yet awe-inspiring. Younger’s harp melodies seem to fall around the listener, creating a tunnel of jazz bliss for everyone to escape into for a moment of solace during a hectic day.
Murder By Death – “No Matter Now”
Egg & Dart
Veteran Americana outfit Murder By Death returns with a graphic novel-style LP featuring dramatic swells and vivid imagery. Egg & Dart is a daring outing from Murder By Death, as the band pushes the limits of their songwriting and ventures into cinematic territory through imaginative storytelling and eerie undertones. “No Matter Now” throws you right into the action with a gentle pull of the hand as the band guides you through the narrative with low vocals that are juxtaposed by snowballing strings.
The Bug Club – “Young Reader”
Very Human Features
On their second album for Sub Pop Records, The Bug Club pieces together an expansive display of their storytelling ability and honed musicianship. Very Human Features is a ripping 13-song LP with distorted guitars that soar underneath the acrobatic vocals as the band proves to be more than your average punk-tinted indie rock band; they’re world builders. “Young Reader” is a warping tune that emphasizes the band’s maturity through stunning harmonies, delivering poetic songwriting over thudding drums and searing guitars.
Joe Armon-Jones – “Journey South”
All the Quiet (Part II)
From his work with Ezra Collective to his daring modern fusion work in his solo catalog, Joe Armon-Jones has been one of the most exciting additions to modern jazz in recent years. Today, we receive the second half of his ambitious double album, All the Quiet, and the sweeping LP is gentle, welcoming, and almost psychedelic in its approach. “Journey South” features bubbly pianos that anchor the acrobatic brass melodies and otherworldly drum patterns to reality, creating a universe of Armon-Jones’s youthful veteran status.
Mavis Staples – “Godspeed”
Single
The legendary Mavis Staples returns with a beautifully moving cover of Frank Ocean’s “Godspeed.” Staples reimagines the classic tune as a slow-burning orchestration, featuring muted horns that dance in harmony with swelling strings, for a cinematic interpretation. The touching single arrives just weeks before Staples hits the road for an extensive tour that will have her traversing North America until October.
LEISURE – “Missing You”
Welcome to the Mood
New Zealand’s genre-blurring LEISURE returns with the announcement of a new album and a danceable lead single that is drenched in subtle sunlight. Welcome to the Mood is set to arrive on September 12, and “Missing You” is our latest single from the anticipated release. The groovy single features wistful vocals that skate over criminally smooth guitars and sleek melodies.
Los Straitjackets – “High Wire Act”
Somos Los Straitjackets
For the first time in over 13 years, decade-traversing instrumental rock group Los Straitjackets announces an LP of original material. Somos Los Straitjackets arrives on September 19 and will feature the nuanced, high-octane lead single “High Wire Act.” The single sounds like a car chase from a cartoon as Los Straitjackets craft an explosive, guitar-driven tune that doubles as a welcome home parade for the instrumental beasts.
The Barr Brothers – “Let It Hiss”
Let It Hiss
Canadian folk heroes The Barr Brothers have announced their first new album since 2017, and the folk world rejoices. Let It Hiss arrives on October 17, and the title track is our lead single from the highly anticipated release. The lead single features cascading vocals that fall over a hectic yet blissful arrangement, creating a cacophony of prowess.
Margo Price – “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down”
Hard Headed Women
Margo Price has proven to be one of the most refreshing additions to modern country, and the celebrated singer/songwriter returns with a new LP and its lead single. Following the release of her daring double LP, Strays II, in 2023, Hard Headed Women finds Price returning to her roots as a raw country artist. The album arrives on August 29, and the anthemic “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down” is our lead single. The new Price tune features her signature, poetic, honest approach to songwriting, while the lyrics find a home in the bouncy twang of the arrangement.
Drain – “Nights Like These”
…Is Your Friend
Coming off the release of LIVING PROOF in 2023, punk-metal band Drain remerges with a new LP and a stellar lead single. …Is Your Friend is set to be released on November 7, and the hardcore ripper “Nights Like These” is our chaotic lead single. Like the first clap of thunder on a calm night, “Nights Like These” shocks and startles with electrifying drum tempos that explode from behind throat-scratching vocals and blistering guitars.
Tyler Childers – “Nose On The Grindstone”
Snipe Hunter
It always feels like a celebration when Tyler Childers announces a new album, and this week felt no different. Childers’s latest LP, Snipe Hunter, lands on July 25, and the lead single is a raw look at the anticipated new LP. “Nose On The Grindstone” is a nod to the everyday hustle we all experience in one way or another. Childers puts on a feverish performance that fills out the space left by the simplistic, twangy guitars.
