It is shaping up to be a long weekend inside as most of the States is avoiding massive rain storms and treacherous conditions. Yes, it is storm season, and that gives every music fan another reason to stay inside and explore the fantastic new releases on the final New Music Friday of September. We have a good one for you this week, folks. This Friday delivered a beautiful blend of triumphant returns and jazzy portraits. This wide-ranging edition of Caustic is one for the books as September wraps up with a bang by providing new music from timeless acts and refreshing singles from up-and-coming legends.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music below.
Naima Bock – “Takes One”
Below a Massive Dark Land
It has been two years since former Goat Girl member Naima Bock released her solo debut, and the anticipation for a follow-up was well worth the wait. This week, Bock releases Below a Massive Dark Land, ten songs brimming with her refreshing songwriting and unpredictable melodic shifts. “Takes One” is an early favorite as Bock delivers stirring balladry over nimble minimalism, blending her influences to create something entirely new.
JD McPherson – “Nite Owls”
Nite Owls
On his first full-length since 2018, singer/songwriter JD McPherson continues his streak of rejuvenating vintage-sounding rock and bringing nostalgic tropes to modern times. Nite Owls is a blend of ten songs of dusty grooves and fuzzy textures to create a hypnotic backdrop for McPherson’s vivid imagery. The title track from the album stands out due to its gentle vocal performance and the desperado-style guitars, providing a refreshing, lush take on modern and old-school rock simultaneously.
Alan Sparhawk – “Black Water”
White Roses, My God
The long-awaited solo debut from Alan Sparhawk has finally arrived in all of its hypnotic glory, and it perfectly scratches that need for experimentation. White Rose, My God is just over half an hour of spellbinding takes on danceable pop as Sparhawk dons electronic vocal effects to navigate the dense textures of the electro-pop instrumentals. “Black Water” separates the artist from his peers via neck-breaking drum patterns and psychedelic vocals, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere of head-spinning melodies.
John Davis – “Already Drowned”
JINX
After making his long-awaited return with 2023’s My Hope Is Found In a God Who Can Rise up the Dead, John Davis unleashes his latest creation. JINX has the artist pulling from modern music and manipulating familiar structures and tones to match his poetic songwriting. “Already Downed” is a heavy rock tune with a vulnerability that creeps out of the dense distortion and swaying melodies.
Billy Strings – “Catch and Release”
Highway Prayers
Bluegrass legend Billy Strings releases a sprawling effort that solidifies his legacy. Highway Prayers is the highly anticipated follow-up to his seminal Me /And /Dad LP. It features 20 songs that transition from instrumental bliss to enticing storytelling. “Catch and Release” finds Strings in sticky situations and the freeing feeling of getting away from them as he spins a tale over masterful finger plucking.
Christian Sands – “Serenade of an Angel”
Embracing Dawn
Legendary jazz pianist Christian Sands follows his holiday LP with a masterclass of storytelling without saying a word. Embracing Dawn has the veteran artist manipulating his instrument to deliver lush fields of quaint jazz and syncopated solace. “Serenade of an Angel” is a beautiful ballad that provides warmth on a rainy day as his quaint approach to the piano is elevated by gentle drums.
Bilal & Robert Glasper – “The Story”
Adjust Brightness
Neo-soul icon Bilal returns with his first full-length of new material since 2015. After releasing his acclaimed live album earlier this year, the Philadelphia native drops a reminder that he is the king of his genre. “The Story” just touches on the surface of this beautiful outing. Jazz mastermind Robert Glasper delivers a Hip-hop-inspired instrumental that allows Bilal to flex his consistently impressive and ever-changing vocals.
The Cure – “Alone”
Songs Of A Lost World
For the first time in 16 years, the world is about to receive new music from The Cure. The iconic rock band is set to release Songs Of A Lost World on November 1, and the fantastic news is accompanied by an equally exciting new single. “Alone” is a slow-burning tune that lasts nearly seven minutes, the perfect amount of time to get lost in the subtle ambiance and otherworldly instrumentation.
Jalen Ngonda – “Anyone In Love”
Single
After setting the soul world ablaze with a phenomenal debut album, Jalen Ngonda has not stopped releasing music. His third single of the year, “Anyone In Love,” showcases how in tune the artist is with the roots of his genre and how he brings that nostalgic feeling to life. Over a simplistic yet potent arrangement, Ngonda delivers a transfixing vocal performance lined with high falsettos and poetic songwriting.
Frankie & The Witch Fingers – “Bonehead”
Single
One of the most exciting bands to enter the psychedelic realm in recent years, Frankie & The Witch Fingers, is back with brand new music. “Bonehead” follows the band’s 2023 studio LP and their recently released live album. The new single has the band continuing to deconstruct their influences and rebuild a towering statue of jagged melodies and explosive tempo changes.
Hunger Anthem – “Patron”
Lift
The wait is almost over as indie punks Hunger Anthem announce a new LP and a single that should have you sprinting to mark this release on your calendar. Lift is set to be released on December 6, and the infectious “Patron” is our lead single from the project. The new tune has the band employing angelic backing vocals to juxtapose the jangly guitars and jovial vocal performance.
Fantastic Negrito – “I Hope Somebody’s Loving You”
Son Of A Broken Man
The acclaimed soulful blues of Fantastic Negrito sounds better than ever as the artist paves the way to his new LP. Song of A Broken Man is set to be released on October 18, and the artist releases the second double single of the rollout. “Crooked Road” is accompanied by the emotionally charged “I Hope Somebody’s Loving You.” The latter is a heartwrenching ballad tinted with searing guitars that break through the tearjerking lyrics and palpable vocal performance.
Laura Marling – “Child of Mine”
Patterns in Repeat
Laura Marling, the folksy icon, is gearing up to release its first album since 2021, and each single adds another lump of coal to the furnace of anticipation. Patterns in Repeat will be released on October 25, and “Child of Mine” is our latest single from the project. The swaying feeling is evoked by the mystical harmonies, which also add a bit of flavor to the downtrodden guitars and ambiance of the arrangement.
