The first month of 2025 is slowly coming to a close, and it has been a busy one at the Caustic Factory. Music nerds from across genres are drowning in new releases from veterans and young hopefuls, giving us a wide range of fantastic releases to work with. The runaway train that is New Music Friday is miraculously still on the move, dropping cargo brimming with psychedelic ballads, heaven-sent Hip-hop, and eerie takes on nostalgic sounds. It’s an exciting time to be a music fan, so all aboard the Caustic Express as we head into the weekend.
Check out Glide’s picks for this week’s best new music below.
Rose City Band – “Sunlight Daze”
Sol Y Sombra
The Ripley Johnson-led Rose City Band has returned with Sol Y Sombra, and they emerge with a twist on their classic sound. In these ten songs, the band employs eerie psychedelia rather than their jovial, twangy approach to modern country, making their emotional songwriting all the more palpable. “Sunlight Daze begins to tell the tale of the Rose City Band’s new sonic direction. The slow-burning ballad features droning guitar melodies under lush vocals, making it a moving highlight from a veteran band.
Benjamin Booker – “HOPE FOR THE NIGHT TIME”
LOWER
For his first album since 2017, modern Blues provocateur Benjamin Booker teams up with Hip-hop producer Kenny Segal for a head-spinning set of songs built on creative freedom. The left-field LOWER is 11 hazy ballads that range from hauntingly beautiful guitar loops to dense distortion, all centering around some of Booker’s most poignant writing to date. “HOPE FOR THE NIGHT TIME” places the listener in a bar at closing time, sightseeing the night warriors and perpetual drunks. The synth-driven pop ballad showcases Booker’s new sense of songwriting, while the nimble drums hint at Segal’s influence on LOWER.
Young Knives – “Gone, Gone, Completely Gone”
Landfill
Young Knives return in more ways than one with their new album Landfill. The ten-song LP marks the band’s first album in five years and also sees the band returning to the more experimental sound they debuted with in the early 2000s. Landfill is an unpredictably entertaining warping outing that proves that these post-punk veterans are far from done toying with their sound. “Gone, Gone, Completely Gone” is an off-kilter ballad of epic proportions. The larger-than-life arrangement is a canvas for the band’s vivid imagery as Young Knives take you on a mind-boggling expedition into their songwriting prowess.
Boldy James & Sir Michael Rocks – “No Facade”
Permanent Ink
The prolific Boldy James teams up with fellow Detroit native Roger Goodman of Royal House for his second album of 2025. Permanent Ink features James rhyming over bright tones and hollow drum patterns, a sonic change of pace that showcases the vocalist’s true range as a songwriter. “No Facade sees James team up with the legendary Sir Michael Rocks—the duo trade verses over echoing soul samples and twinkling keys.
Larkin Poe – “Pearls”
Bloom
The country sister duo of Larkin Poe emerges with Bloom, continuing their refreshing approach to modern country rock with a bluesy touch. The album features 11 tunes that find the band intertwining their nuanced approach to the busy country scene, proving their ability to keep one foot in the mainstream and another in their roots. “Pearls is an explosive example of this sentiment. Rolling vocal runs tumble over crashing drums, only to be interrupted by scorching and distorted guitars, combining their infectious tendencies with otherworldly song structure.
FKA twigs – “Keep It, Hold It”
EUSEXUA
The electro-pop icon FKA twigs returns with their first album since 2022. EUSEXUA is a provocative and perplexing listen that pulls you in with soaring harmonies and makes you stay with thudding dance sections and moving songwriting. “Keep It, Hold It” is pure poetry in motion. FKA twigs’ nimble vocals welcome you into a hectic drum-and-bass number that transports you into a UFO aiming directly at an unknown planet.
Dax Riggs – “Pagan Moon”
7 Songs For Spiders
A long-standing figure in metal and now a certified solo bluesman, Dax Riggs has explored the complexity of the human experience through many lenses. On his first album since 2010, 7 Songs For Spiders, Riggs employs a dark, psychedelic twist on his already grungey approach to modern blues. “Pagan Moon” is akin to what you could imagine it would be like seeing a group of Hell’s Angels rumbling through your town during their heyday. Distorted guitars give the tune an earthquake effect as Riggs croons over the simplistic yet potent instrumentation.
Mogwai – “What Kind of Mix Is This?”
The Bad Fire
The day has finally arrived for Mogwai’s highly anticipated The Bad Fire. The band’s new LP marks its eleventh outing and features some of their career’s most cinematic and awe-inspiring work. Their instrumental epics feel elevated, and “What Kind of Mix Is This?” is an early favorite from the outstanding project. Their prowess becomes more evident as the song continues with waves of gentle keys reeling in the acrobatic guitar melodies.
Lucero – “Diamond State Heartbreak”
Lucero Unplugged
Ben Nichols and Rick Steff dive deep into Lucero’s legendary catalog for an acoustic outing that reimagines deep cuts and timeless classics. Lucero Unplugged is a sprawling yet intimate outing, with the two band members breathing new life into their discography. “Diamond State Heartbreak, originally from their 2000 LP The Attic Tapes, becomes all the more palpable, with Nichols’s voice delivering these words in a more mature tone over bouncy keys and quaint finger plucking.
The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble – “Las Olas”
Gemini
The good people at Colemine Records are preparing us for another LP from The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble. Gemini is set to be released on March 28, and the groovy “Las Olas” is our lead single from the upcoming release. The tune is a hypnotic instrumental track with hints of nostalgia as smooth horn sections are greeted with swinging drums and spacious guitar melodies.
Lonnie Holley – “Protest With Love”
Tonky
Multifaceted artist Lonnie Holley is gearing up to release his latest album, Tonky, on March 21. The 14-song, feature-heavy LP marks the visual/musical artist’s first album since 2023. Along with the album’s news, we received “Protest With Love.” The heartwarming lead single is an inspirational ballad that leans on funky minimalism for an infectious single from an album we should all be excited about.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs – “Stitches”
Death Hilarious
After crashing into the metal spotlight with their 2023 LP, Pigs (X7) sets their sights on a successful follow-up. Death Hilarious will be released on April 4, featuring the previously released “Detroit” and the freshly released “Stitches.” The chugging new single has throat-scratching vocals colliding with intricate guitar melodies with the fury of a high-speed car crash.
Larry June – “Bad Choices” (Feat. The Alchemist & 2 Chainz)
Single
One of West Coast Hip-hop’s most prolific and prominent voices, Larry June, finds himself again teaming up with The Alchemist for “Bad Choices.” The new single is a silky smooth yet aggressive outing, with 2 Chainz kicking things off with an impressive guest verse. June sounds right at home with Alc’s soulful yet gritty instrumental as he displays his velvet-lined vocals.
De La Soul – “Bigger” (Feat. Choklate)
The Grind Date (20th Anniversary Edition)
It has been a busy few years for the iconoclast De La Soul. After finally getting their entire catalog on streaming services, the trio looks to rejuvenate a cult classic. De La Soul’s 2004 LP, The Grind Date, is receiving the deluxe treatment, with a few instrumentals from the classic album and some unreleased material. The Choklate-assisted “Bigger” is an optimistic number with a stunning hook that beautifully ties the trio’s verse. The 20th Anniversary Edition of The Grind Date will arrive on March 21.
Viagra Boys – “Man Made of Meat”
Viagr aBoys
The young punk icons Viagra Boys have announced their fourth LP and given us the lead single. Their slightly self-titled album is set to be released on April 25 on the band’s recently launched label, SprimpTech Enterprises, and “Man Made of Meat” is our lead single—the staggering single features rapid-fire vocals, delivering cheeky songwriting over a toe-tapping intensity from clunky drums.
