August is waving to us in the rearview mirror as we venture into what is slated to be a busy Autumn. As we drive away from August, we notice the last month of Summer left us a present in the backseat, something to remember it by. As you unwrap this gift, you realize it is one final star-studded New Music Friday, and what a beautiful sight to behold. This week, we have moments of psychedelia, folksy ballads with heartfelt songwriting, and refreshing Hip-hop that indicates the genre is entering a renaissance. As schools start to open and the sun sets earlier, a slice of escapism via freshly released music might just be the solution to the impending drastic change in weather.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music, and be sure to check out August’s Caustic Spotify playlist to catch up before we enter a new month of new releases.
Anna Tivel – “Paradise”
Animal Poem
Anna Tivel has become one of the most refreshing voices in the modern folk scene, and she continues to prove this sentiment on her exploratory and sprawling Animal Poem LP. The 10-song album finds Tivel pushing the boundaries of folk music with sweeping arrangements and emotionally charged, vivid imagery. “Paradise” is a gentle ballad that slow-dances with soft piano keys as Tivel’s moving songwriting and soaring harmonies immerse the listener in a cloud of moody, palpable, soulful folk rock.
Zach Top – “Honky Tonk Till It Hurts”
Ain’t In It For My Health
On his third album, the wide-ranging Ain’t In It For My Health, Zach Top paints a portrait of country music’s traditions with splashes of personal experience and dribbles of infectious melodies. The artist’s latest release finds them joining the ranks of modern country sensations who lean towards the dusty roots of the genre rather than the glittery, pop-leaning side that has been dominating the charts as of late. “Honky Tonk Till It Hurts” closes out this full-body experience of an album, with Top creating a toe-tapping closer full of personality and danceability.
Margo Price – “Close To You”
Hard Headed Woman
The anticipated new album from country superstar Margo Price has arrived in all its glory, and it continues the artist’s already legendary discography. Hard Headed Woman is an intimate portrayal of Price’s prowess, with a tracklist that ranges from rugged anthems to wistful balladry. “Close To You” leans towards the latter, with Price’s gentle vocals telling a tale of love over breezy guitar tones with an almost ambient feel.
The Beths – “Roundabout”
Straight Line Was a Lie
On their debut album for the legendary Anti Records, indie rock outfit The Beths showcase their expansive range across 10 vibrant, guitar-driven anthems. Straight Line Was a Lie highlights the nuances that make the band such an exciting and rejuvenating listen, with glorious harmonies being greeted with heartfelt songwriting. “Roundabout” is a jangly highlight with poetically uplifting lyrics that exude love and joy, as the guitar accentuates this euphoria.
Moviola – “Sittin’”
Earthbound
Three decades and eleven albums in, Ohio’s alt-country icons Moviola still find ways to keep it fresh on their latest LP, Earthbound. The band’s new album is brimming with charming examples of their veteran status, characterized by lo-fi warmth and subtle experimentation. “Sittin’” is a more emotional example of the sonic landscape on Earthbound, featuring droning vocal melodies that skate over punchy, twangy textures, making for a palpable highlight from a stellar LP.
LUCIE SUE – “Bela”
Battlestations
With an explosive attitude and a sonic palette to keep up with it, LUCIE SUE’s sophomore effort highlights the artist’s range as a pure rock star. Battlestations is a tight set of 13 face-melting tunes that leap from punk-influenced neck-breakers to psych-rock-influenced moments of raw emotional outpourings. “Bela” is a sweeping, moving highlight from this stunning album, with SUE’s hypnotic vocals crashing against a wall of thudding drums and soaring guitar melodies.
Blood Orange – “Vivid Light”
Essex Honey
The highly anticipated new album from Blood Orange has finally arrived, marking the artist’s first LP since 2018, excluding his 2019 “mixtape.” Essex Honey is a proper return for Dev Hynes’s most popular alias that blurs the lines between atmospheric and sugary pop, all while the artist introduces yet another new dimension to the Blood Orange sonic universe. “Vivid Light” is a groovy highlight featuring beautiful vocals that dance alongside blaring horns and nimble drum patterns.
Westside Gunn – “BLOW HENDRY”
HEELS HAVE EYES 2
The prolific Westside Gunn has emerged with yet another project in 2025, and the modern Hip-hop pioneer sounds as fresh as ever. HEELS HAVE EYES 2 is gritty, almost psychedelic Hip-hop that finds Gunn with a new sense of confidence as his brags become more grand, and his claims as rap royalty become harder to disprove. “BLOW HENDRY” features fellow modern rap legend MIKE and a glistening, twisted instrumental that acts as the perfect canvas for the two titans to trade verses over.
IDLES – “Cheerleader”
Caught Stealing (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
One of the most exciting post-punk outfits falls on the genre’s roots as they team up with Rob Simonsen for the soundtrack for the freshly-released film Caught Stealing. The soundtrack features a few pieces of new, original IDLES material, and “Cheerleader” is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a searing energy to “Cheerleader” that makes the song feel like it is a living, breathing entity. With throat-scratching vocals and droning guitar work, IDLES created a masterpiece for the new film, which is in theaters today.
Flyte – “If You Can’t Be Happy”
Between You and Me
The London-bred duo of Flyte return with Between You and Me, their fourth LP. The duo’s latest release is a warm welcome to the band’s folksy side, as they lean into the genre for a cherished collection of beautifully crafted, emotionally heavy folk. “If You Can’t Be Happy” is a brighter moment from this album, with twinkling acoustics shining under the light of the cascading vocal harmonies.
Joey Bada$$ – “SPEEDIN’ THROUGH THE RAIN”
Lonely At The Top
It would appear that it is time for one of the brightest stars from Hip-hop’s blog era to evolve into something more than anyone could’ve predicted. On his new album, Lonely At The Top, Joey Bada$$ lays his soul bare for all to see, with 11 songs that act as reminders of his undeniable presence in the genre, just as much as they showcase a more vulnerable side of Bada$$. “SPEEDIN’ THROUGH THE RAIN” is a moody poem centered around survivor’s guilt, as the artist attempts to enjoy the fruits of his labor while keeping one foot on the stories and sights that got him to his fourth studio LP.
Geese – “100 Horses”
Getting Killed
As the world awaits the next move from one of the most refreshing voices New York City rock has seen in some time, the band drops off another cinematic single from their anticipated new album. Geese’s “100 Horses” is a dramatic and all-encompassing look into the daring creativity of the band. With a warped opera of a vocal performance and a chugging arrangement, Geese hint at a creatively risky LP. The band’s new album, Getting Killed, is set to be released on September 26.
Midlake – “The Ghouls”
A Bridge To Far
The legendary rock-fusion experts, Midlake, are teaming with Sam Evian for their sixth studio album. The Evian-produced A Bridge To Far is set to be released on November 7, and the unforgettable psych-folk of “The Ghouls” is our first single from the new album. There is a whimsical passion that drives the lead single from A Bridge To Far, with distant vocals that find the courage to keep up with the ever-evolving instrumentation.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – “Nothin’ But Your Love”
Hard Road
Guitarist/singer/songwriter and blues revival specialist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram continues to prepare fans for his upcoming LP with another heart-touching single. “Nothin’ But Your Love” takes the complexity of longing and simplifies it into a soulful piece of modern blues with delicate guitar work and booming vocals. The new single will land on Ingram’s Hard Road album, set for release on September 26.
Shungu – “Stay alive” (Feat. Pink Siifu)
Faith In the Unknown
Producer extraordinaire, Shungu, is preparing for the November 7 release of his jam-packed Faith In the Unknown LP, and he drops off an intoxicating, Pink Siifu-assisted single as fans wait for the release. “Stay alive” finds the acrobatic vocalist tip-toeing around striking piano keys and jazzy undertones. Shungu’s upcoming album will also feature Hip-hop heavyweights such as Navy Blue and Maxo.
One Response
I’ve been loving both Anna Tivel and Zach Top lately! Anna’s Animal Poem album really hits home with its deep emotional depth and stunning arrangements, especially on tracks like “Paradise.” Zach Top’s “Honky Tonk Till It Hurts” brings that raw, authentic country feel I’ve been craving—perfect for kicking back and letting the music take over. Both albums are a great reminder of how powerful storytelling in music can be!