Just when we thought September would be a slow month for releases, a Friday like this came along. This slew of new music is reminiscent of those early Summer Fridays when it seemed impossible to keep up with all the exciting music. This week’s Caustic is a sprawling range of bright pop tunes and moody indie rock outings. Some bands fearlessly enter new territories while some continue to toy with a signature sound. Either way you cut it, this is an incredibly exciting New Music Friday.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music below.
Bright Eyes – “Trains Still Run on Time”
Five Dice, All Threes
The long-awaited return of Bright Eyes comes in the form of Five Dice, All Threes, a 13-track LP that features return-to-forms and exciting new directions. Bright Eyes held nothing back on this album. The somber moments are heart-wrenching, and the cinematic tracks are infectious as the band reconfigures their sound to find the middle ground between their past and future. “Trains Still Run on Time” is one of those cinematic moments with stunning orchestral swells and danceable tempos as frontman Conor Oberst puts on a passionate vocal performance.
Manu Chao – “La Colilla”
Viva Tu
Attempting to find a singular word to describe the colorful musical world of Manu Chao is futile, and his latest outing makes the task all the more difficult. Viva Tu is finally here, and it is filled with nimble pop tunes accented by Latin flavors for a 13-song LP that expands the artist’s impressively diverse discography. “La Colilla” is a breezy tune with swaying melodies that gets better with every listen as more nuanced elements show face the more you get lost in the bouncy guitars and quaint vocals.
Galaxie 500 – “Ceremony”
Uncollected Noise New York ‘88-’90
Galaxie 500 has been around since the late ‘80s, witnessing every change happening to the world around them and filtering it through their minimalistic approach to fuzzy indie rock. Finally, the band returns with a comprehensive compilation of unreleased material from their early years as Uncollected Noise New York ‘88-90 showcases non-album and outtakes from their early recording sessions. “Ceremony” has the band blending their guitar prowess with moody vocals for a look at Galaxie 500’s signature sound in its infancy. Even this early in their career, you could tell the band had lofty visions and refused to settle for anything less than their perceived goal.
Sunset Rubdown – “Candles”
Always Happy to Explode
For the first time since 2009, Wolf Parade frontman Spencer Krug’s side project is back with a brand new LP. Always Happy to Explode picks up where Sunset Rainbow left off, exploring new and compelling uses for Krug’s synth prowess and experimental vocal manipulation. “Candles” is drenched in left-field synth melodies emphasizing the off-kilter backing vocals for a subtle psychedelic pop track.
Wilderado – “Longstanding Misunderstanding”
Talker
The highly-anticipated sophomore album from the twangy indie rock outfit Wilderado is as warm and expansive as any of us could’ve asked for. Talker has the band employing a simplistic sound to emphasize the palpable emotions expressed through each element of these 12 songs. “Longtime Misunderstanding” is an acoustic ballad with whimsical yet melancholy guitars accompanying the longing in the vocals for a moving stand-out from an impressive sophomore album.
Thurston Moore – “We Get High”
Flow Critical Lucidity
After slowly releasing singles throughout 2023 and this year, acclaimed Sonic Youth co-founder Thurston Moore has assembled an experimental, 7-song LP. Flow Critical Lucidity comprises Moore’s passion for challenging indie rock tropes, as his hauntingly beautiful vocals cut through dense experimentation and guitar prowess for an ambient psychedelic rock outing. “We Get High” has Moore navigating a sparse arrangement with ghostly vocal tones as complex guitar tones drive this hypnotic performance.
Hippo Campus – “Fences”
Flood
The vulnerable and danceable indie pop of Hippo Campus receives an expansive facelift on the band’s new LP, Flood. The connective tissue throughout these 13 songs is the band’s natural knack for crafting unforgettable melodies. However, their delivery and the accompanying arrangements show us that Hippo Campus is far from evolving. “Fences” toys with the band’s prior sound while implementing expressive guitars and explosive hooks for a stand-out song on an incredibly moving next step in the Hippo Campus story.
The Alchemist – “Everybody’s Favorite Uncle”
The Genuine Articulate
After spending years producing some of the most innovative Hip-hop in the past two decades, veteran beat-maker The Alchemist steps in front of the microphone for an 8-track outing that solidifies his legacy. The Genuine Articulate has Alc rapping his ass off over dusty loops that evoke the feeling of the sun hitting your bare skin while his head-spinning flows introduce us to Alchemist, the emcee. “Everybody’s Favorite Uncle” only scratches the surface of The Genuine Articulate as Alc pieces together samples for a face-melting display of his nuanced talents.
Mogwai – “God Gets You Back”
Single
For the first time in two years, we have received new music from the iconic post-rock band Mogwai. The band’s latest single, “God Gets You Back,” is a cinematic, six-and-a-half-minute journey through distorted guitars and neon synths, as the vocals blend with the arrangement to create unique textures. The new single is joined by the news of a 2025 world tour set to kick off in February.
Bon Iver – “S P E Y S I D E”
SABLE, – EP
Bon Iver releases a fantastically nostalgic return to form as he digs deep into his acoustic roots for a refreshing single and new project announcement. Iver’s new EP, SABLE, is set to be released on October 18, and the chilling new single “S P E Y S I D E” gives us a look at the artist’s headspace. The distant vocal mix adds to the warmth of the guitars as the artist puts together an honest look at their creative headspace.
Japandroids – “All Bets Are Off”
Fate & Alcohol
Japandroids announced their final album earlier this year, and exactly one month from its October 18 release date, the band delivered the third single. “All Bets Are Off” is an explosive anthem with mind-altering guitar work driving the arrangement to new heights as downtrodden vocals juxtapose the instrumentation. Fate & Alcohol will be here next month, and knowing it is the final album from Japandroids is a bittersweet feeling, so enjoy the roll-out while it lasts.
Mutant Academy – “Rock, Paper, Scissors”
Keep Holly Alive
Richmond, Virginia’s Mutant Academy comprises some of the best Hip-hop artists the state has ever produced, joining forces for what promises to be a landmark collective debut. Keep Holly Alive is set to be released on October 8, and the hazy “Rock, Paper, Scissors” is our latest single. The Foisey-produced track is hypnotic in nature, yet the rough and rugged vocals juxtapose the plush instrumental.
Samara Joy – “Autumn Nocturne”
Portrait
The highly-anticipated new album from jazz vocalist Samra Joy is all set with a release date of October 11, and each single we receive justifies the excitement surrounding the release. Portrait already feels like a breath of fresh air in jazz, and we’re only two singles in. The latest release, “Autumn Nocturne,” is a cinematic masterpiece with stirring vocals set against otherworldly crescendos.
Haley Heynderickx – “Foxglove”
Seed of a Seed
It has been six years since we heard a full album from the indie folk artist Haley Heynderickx, and now we’re only weeks away from her anticipated return. Seed of a Seed is set to be released on November 1, and with the title track acting as our first look at the album, the artist releases the second sneak peek this week. “Foxglove” is an up-tempo tune that balances folksy storytelling with desperado-style vocals for a beautifully penned single overflowing with nuanced approaches to modern folk tropes.
Pixies – “Motoroller”
The Night the Zombies Came
This week, alt-rock pioneers Pixies released the fourth single from their new LP, The Night the Zombies Came. The new album from the visionaries will be released on October 25, and “Motoroller” is our latest look at the project. Searing guitars drive the fuzzy tune as chugging tempos create a foggy atmosphere, only to have that atmosphere surgically cut through with a passionate vocal performance.
