After a week of touch-and-go release schedules, the old Caustic factory is firing on all cylinders for a busy week of exciting releases. The second New Music Friday of September is brimming with enticing new directions to take your autumn playlist. While the blinding heat cloaks most of the U.S. and still has most of us in summer, it is never too early to set up your soundtrack for sweater season. This week, we have new releases from some of the most iconic names in music, prolific release streaks continue to blaze, and young bands put their refreshing take on the modern world. This is a heaping pile of new music, folks. Help yourself to this week’s all-you-can-listen-to buffet.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music below.
Nada Surf – “Intel and Dreams”
Moon Mirror
Veteran pop-rock icons Nada Surf combine forces for their first new LP in four years on the mesmerizing Moon Mirror. The 11-song album has the band delivering their punchy hooks and infectious melodies over frantic indie rock tempos, a recipe Nada Surf crafted in the early 2000s. “Intel and Dreams” features all of the abovementioned Nada Surf tropes, with the band employing more of a pop-punk approach to separate their work on Moon Mirror from the rest of their colorful discography.
Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets – “A Quiet Place”
Indoor Safari
The triumphant return of Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets is lined with jovial melodies delivering vivid imagery on this effortlessly relaxed yet imaginative album the band has dubbed Indoor Safari. Lowe’s decades of studio experience glisten on these 12 songs as the artist sounds as relaxed yet daring as ever, creating an album that allows its lyrics to fill out the swinging minimalism of the instrumentation. “A Quiet Place” has Lowe searching for peace of mind over a bouncy, twangy arrangement that adds splashes of color to the song’s narrative.
Dale Crover – “Kitten Knife”
Glossolalia
Melvins’ drummer and legendary punk Dale Crover steps back into the solo realm with the release of his Glossolalia LP. This collaborative outing shows an artist with nothing to prove continually toying with an established sound. The 11 tracks featured on the album have gentle brush strokes of psychedelia that add depth to dense punk textures as Crover finds solace in left-field guitar work and thudding drum patterns. “Kitten Knife” evokes lo-fi warmth as Crover’s soaring vocal performance slices through wonky guitar melodies and unpredictable drums for a simplistic yet impactful highlight.
Porches – “Bread Believer”
Shirt
In just over a decade, Aaron Maine’s Porches has established itself as an ever-growing and risky figure in modern pop, and their latest outing continues this trend. Shirt is some of Maine’s most daring music. The artist pulls from all corners of contemporary music and filters it through his natural knack for vulnerable songwriting and sugary pop tendencies. “Bread Believer” features neck-breaking drums juxtaposed by Maine’s nimble vocals on this pop-dance tune with moments of explosive electronics.
Kevin Gordon – “Tammy Cecile”
The In Between
One of the most celebrated songwriters of his time returns with a folk-rock outing brimming with reminders of why Gordon has remained such a prevalent figure in the music world. The In Between feels like a victory lap for Gordon as the LP transitions from folksy tropes to the artist’s refreshing take on more conventional country-rock fusion work. “Tammy Cecile” leans toward the folksy side as a controlled twang creates a stunning backdrop for Gordon’s nuanced songwriting.
The Jesus Lizard – “Falling Down”
Rack
One of the most underappreciated figures in the 90s alt-rock scene has emerged for the first time since 1998 with a potent reminder to place their name amongst the noise rock gods. The Jesus Lizard’s Rack picks up right where the band left off 26 years ago, creating a hectic and challenging rock while delivering important messages from the future. “Falling Down” is a signature Jesus Lizard track, with the band crash-landing on complex guitar work and sharp drums as their throat-scratching vocals seamlessly cut through the brain-rattling arrangement.
Suki Waterhouse – “Could’ve Been A Star”
Memoir of a Sparklemuffin
Suki Waterhouse’s highly anticipated sophomore effort is a sprawling LP that successfully separates the artist from her alt-pop peers via emotional storytelling and daring sonic shifts. Memoir of a Sparklemuffin is 18 songs of pure pop balladry that challenge modern tropes with a somber relatability as Waterhouse opens her heart to the world and releases an album that should be celebrated for doing so. “Could’ve Been A Star” has the artist employing cabaret-style vocals over a blinding fog of subtle drums and cascading strings.
Fousheé – “Closer”
Pointy Heights
One of the most exciting artists to emerge from modern neo-soul returns with a digestible yet personal outing as Fousheé gifts the world with Point Heights. Clocking in at just under half an hour, the artist has no time to waste, making every acrobatic vocal performance feel urgent and present. “Closer” is Fousheé’s take on a modern love song as the artist delivers potent poetry over a sparse arrangement featuring toe-tapping drums and sneaky guitar melodies.
Moreish Idols – “Pale Blue Dot”
Single
After establishing themselves as modern prog-rock provocateurs on their first two EPs, Moreish Idols return with their first new piece of music of 2024, the “Pale Blue Dot” single. The new tune features hushed vocals skating over a warping arrangement that shows a more controlled version of their rock fusion prowess.
The Alchemist – “Ferraries in the Rain” (Feat. ScHoolboy Q)
The Genuine Articulate
The Alchemist is one of the most prolific artists across all genres, producing god-like LPs for some of hip-hop’s modern giants, and now he’s stepping in front of the microphone for a new album. The Genuine Articulate is set to be released on September 20, and the ScHoolboy Q-assisted “Ferraries in the Rain” is our acting lead single. The duo trade verses of stadium-sized horn samples as they deliver head-spinning rhymes with relaxed cadences.
Michael Kiwanuka – “Lowdown (part i)”
Small Changes
The highly anticipated new album from singer/songwriter Michael Kiwanuka has finally been cemented, and the fire of anticipation is enough to keep the summer going for a little bit longer. Small Changes will be out in the world on November 15, and Kiwanuka celebrates the news with a double-single that shines a light on his diversity. “Lowdown” is a two-part tune, with the first section being a bright, soulful outing with shredding guitars and wistful vocals, while the second part is a more dark, bluesy outing.
Daryl Johns – “I’m So Serious”
Daryl Johns
The latest release from Mac Demarco’s new record label comes in the form of Daryl John’s self-titled LP. The artist’s debut record is set to be released on November 22, and “I’m So Serious” is a jangly lead single that should have you sprinting to mark the release date on your calendar. The synth-drenched single contradicts its title with carefree melodies and child-like wonder as Johns creates an attention-demanding lead single from an anticipated release.
Porridge Radio – “A Hole In The Ground”
Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me
Porridge Radio is gearing up to release their latest effort, Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me, on October 18. The second single from the LP, “A Hole In The Ground,” is a psychedelic chamber pop ballad with powerful vocals guiding you through drum-driven crescendos as the band prepares us for what is shaping up to be some of the most ambitious work of their career.
