It is hard to tell if being excited about Fridays will ever be outgrown. As a child, we would sprint through the school week so we could get to our Gamecubes and recreational sports games and now as an adult, we power through the workweek to make it to bars, dinners, or hopefully, just go home. Thankfully, that childlike wonder seems to grow with every passing Friday and today is no different. Celebrating a long work week is necessary and Glide would hate to see you enjoy it without the proper soundtrack. This week’s Caustic is a good one, brimming with exciting young acts crash landing with stellar LPs ranging from experimental hip-hop to sun-drenched indie rock.
Check out Glide’s picks for the best new music of the week below;
Erick the Architect – “Jammy Jam”
I’ve Never Been Here Before
On his proper solo debut, Flatbush Zombies’ Erick The Architect crafts a rainbow of tones and moods to showcase his expansive range. I’ve Never Been Here Before is filled with infectious hooks and neck-breaking sonic changes. “Jammy Jam” is the only self-produced song on the album and features some of the most lively flows on the album. Erick navigates nimble drums with stunning ease as he delivers slick rhyme schemes.
Amigo the Devil – “I’m Going to Heaven”
Yours Until the War is Over
Amigo the Devil has returned with his third LP and it was worth every second of the wait. Yours Until the War is Over features hypnotic storytelling lined with vivid imagery that stumbles drunk out of Amigo’s mouth to deliver an almost psychedelic brand of folk. “I’m Going to Heaven” is an early favorite and stretches the limits of Amigo’s genre to the furthest extent. A warping arrangement with fierce guitar tones takes on many forms and tempos with Amigo’s baritone vocals anchoring it all down.
Liam Bailey – “Sour Wine”
Zero Grace
U.K.-based soul/reggae artist Liam Bailey releases some of the best music of his career on Zero Grace. The wide array of tones gives the album a unique charm while Bailey pens stunning poetry. “Sour Wine” is one of the more reggae-influenced songs on the album and only scratches the surface of the magic that is Bailey’s new LP. With the utmost subtleness, Bailey navigates infectious tones to deliver a kaleidoscope of harmonies.
Glitterer – “Recollection”
Rationale
The solo project of bassist Ned Russin has evolved into a full band and their latest showcases the massive impact the additional members had. Rationale is the first time Glitterer is playing as a unit, their chugging arrangements set the stage for Russin’s jaw-dropping vocal range. “Recollection” is a taste of the quick yet potent work of Glitterer, strep-throat vocals deliver soaring melodies over crunchy textures and fuzzy tones.
Real Estate – “Interior”
Daniel
The breezy tones and minimal arrangements of Real Estate are introduced to moments of deep introspection on their new album Daniel. The album is driven by the lighthearted acoustics and nimble musicianship Real Estate has coined while lyrics lined with poetic curiosity drive the narrative here. “Interior” is one of the most heartbreaking moments Real Estate’s discography has seen, it is also the most stunning song on the album. A slow-burning arrangement gives way to sentimental lyrics and gentle melodies.
Mary Timony – “Looking for the Sun”
Untame the Tiger
When an icon with the stature and swagger of Mary Timony decides it is time to gift us with new music, it is a cause for celebration. Untame the Tiger is a short yet potent outing from Timony and it deserves the warmest welcome as it showcases her immense artistic range and mountain-like presence on a track. “Looking for the Sun” sticks out due to its wonky tones and jazzy drum pattern, the perfect backdrop for Timony’s palpable songwriting.
Ghost Funk Orchestra – “A Solar Wind”
A Trip To the Moon
Diving into a Ghost Funk Orchestra album feels like a needed aimless walk around the neighborhood, a refreshing action that provides a sense of freedom. A Trip to the Moon has the band navigate spiritual jazz tropes while intertwining them with their big band style on a psychedelic LP with many sonic twists and turns. “A Solar Wind” is just a hint of the magic on here, the band crafts a heady tune bursting with colorful crescendos and mystifying melodies.
Hurray for the Riff Raff – “Buffalo”
The Past Is Still Alive
Right on the heels of their 2022 LP, Hurray for the Riff Raff wastes no time getting back to work on The Past Is Still Alive. The 11-track album showcases their mastery of the folk genre as they bend and manipulate it into something entirely their own. “Buffalo” features an infectious hook and a passionate vocal performance that makes the slow-burning twang feel animated and lively.
Adrianne Lenker – “Fool”
Bright Future
For the third single from her upcoming Bright Future LP, Adrianne Lenker gets uncharacteristically animated. “Fool” has a very slight bounce to its arrangement but it’s Lenker’s vocal work that steals the show. Her melodies are syncopated as she delivers the same level of sentimental songwriting you’d expect from her. Bright Future is set to be released on March 22.
Eric Schroeder – “Stayed The Same”
Single
Eric Schroeder is back with a brand-new single and it is brimming with an infectious two-stepping energy. “Stayed The Same” has Schroeder crooning over a simplistic yet impactful arrangement. Schroeder’s songwriting is as potent as ever as he navigates lush vocal layering and swinging melodies.
Jahari Massamba Unit – “Otis’ Tambourine”
YHWH is LOVE
Madlib and Karrieem Riggins are some of the most accomplished and renowned producers of their time, seamlessly transitioning from one genre to the next without missing a step. Together, they are Jahari Massamba Unit, and their new album (second as a group) YHWH is LOVE is set to be released on March 1. The new single showcases the intrinsic magic that this duo can create, “Otis’ Tambourine” lands as gently as a snowflake and as unique as one as well, soft synths go to work as a tambourine dance behind the subtle drums.
A Place To Bury Strangers – “Change Your God”
Single
New York’s A Place To Bury Strangers has released this month’s 7-inch single as a part of their monthly The Sevens project. The idea is to release four 7-inch vinyl records from now until April, “Change Your God” welcomes us to the series. The new single has the band navigating industrial punk with ease as monotone vocals cut through screeching guitar tones and glitchy drum patterns.
The Voidz – “All the Same”
Single
For their first release of 2024, The Voidz crafts a middle ground between experimental electronics and lighthearted indie rock. “All the Same” features frontman Julian Casablancas crooning over static-lined drums and sinfully sweet guitar tones. Danceable grooves propel the track forward and deliver bright tones.
Jalen Ngonda – “Illusions”
Single
In 2023, the world was introduced to the innocent melodies and nostalgic vocal range of Jalen Ngonda. One of the most exciting things to happen in the world of soul in recent years, Ngonda wastes no time getting back to work on his infectious new single “Illusions”. The new single has Ngonda belting out falsettos over a dynamic arrangement that will be stuck in your head for the foreseeable future.
Jim White – “Marketplace”
All Hits: Memories
The legendary drummer/producer Jim White is gearing up to release his official solo debut and the latest single is exactly why a solo album from White should be very exciting news for everyone. “Marketplace” is an abstract track with touches of jazz and polyrhythmic timing, White navigates a sonic conflict of his own creation with the greatest of ease. All Hits: Memories is set to be released on March 29 via Drag City.
