As the blinding sun beats down on Mother Earth with a force that thickens the air and drenches one in sweat and ice cream dreams, the Caustic factory switches to solar to help fuel a jam-packed New Music Friday. The start of summer typically marks a slow season for new music releases. Now that everyone has officially put away their sweaters in lieu of shorts and t-shirts, the old Caustic factory is gathering a cornucopia of fresh releases to present to you. This week, we have some of Hip-hop’s finest making an appearance next to triumphant soul returns, emotionally refreshing alt-country, and pop-leaning anthems for all. It’s been a busy week. Please set aside some time to enjoy some new music and sunshine; it’s good for your health.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music, and be sure to stop by our Caustic Spotify playlist to keep up with what is shaping up to be a busy July of fresh releases.
Lord Huron – “The Comedian”
The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1
Alt-country darlings Lord Huron have returned with The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, a 12-song exercise in artistic growth, vulnerability, and testing the limits of their lofty visions. The band’s first new studio album since 2021 finds the band penning even more emotional ballads while introducing a new side of Lord Huron through subtle experimentation. “The Comedian” is a more conventional Lord Huron song, yet it feels more palpable than the band’s past efforts. The heartfelt acoustic tune is a stunning story of longing for something that might not exist, let alone be tangible and achievable.
Joe Bonamassa – “You Don’t Own Me”
Breakthrough
Veteran-level blues with modern urgency is Joe Bonamassa’s specialty, and on his stunning new LP, the artist continues the impressive discography he began nearly 25 years ago. Breakthrough features a 10-song tracklist that transitions from nostalgic, downtrodden blues to modern rock fusion marvels, characterized by blazing tempos and relatable songwriting. “You Don’t Own Me” is a rebellious anthem built around a disdain for authority, a ripping piano melody, and Bonamassa’s emotionally acrobatic vocals.
We Are Scientists – “Dead Letters”
Qualifying Miles
For their new album, alt-rock band We Are Scientists tap into nostalgia and reframe it within modern parameters through lyrics that explore love and heartbreak. Qualifying Miles is a consistently infectious 12-song outing that touches on every corner of rock, from pop-leaning anthems to psychedelic balladry. “Dead Letters” is a jangly, guitar-driven highlight from the new album, featuring soaring vocals that sit proudly over a toe-tapping arrangement, creating an immersive example of the poetic nature of Qualifying Miles.
Jade Bird – “Glad You Did”
Who Wants to Talk About Love?
The highly anticipated third LP from folk-pop singer/songwriter Jade Bird has arrived in all its poignant glory, and it continues Bird’s hot streak. Who Wants to Talk About Love? is 11 vulnerable pieces of modern folk with bright pop undertones that soften the blow of the folksy storytelling, which is filled with harsh realities and lost love. “Glad You Did” is driven by Bird’s emotionally transparent vocals that emphasize the almost celebratory nature of the lyrics.
Luca Sapio – “I Bet You Never Knew”
Black Waves
It is rare that singer/songwriter and producer Luca Sapio steps into the spotlight, which is only part of what makes the release of Black Waves so exciting. The new 11-song concept album from Sapio tackles a wide range of challenging topics, transforming them into thought-provoking, soulful discussion pieces that are lyrically moving and sonically blissful. “I Bet You Never Knew” features palpable passion and pain as Sapio belts out a stunning vocal performance over a juxtaposing and smooth arrangement.
Niko Moon – “SEA FOREVER”
AMERICAN PALM
Singer/songwriter Niko Moon throws his hat back into the modern country pantheon with a stunning summer LP that bursts with color and sun. AMERICAN PALM is a pop-leaning, no-nonsense country album with a blindingly optimistic outlook that is transformed into radio-ready anthems. “Sea Forever” is an early favorite with lovely lyrics that cascade around a simplistic yet potent arrangement.
Benny the Butcher – “Hood On Fire” (Feat. Bruiser Wolf & Daringer)
Summertime Butch 2
Benny The Butcher has been sitting on top of Hip-hop’s mountain for a few years now, and his latest project only helps solidify his undeniable presence in the genre. Summertime Butch 2 is a head-spinning display of the artist’s artistic diversity as he tackles modern tropes just as much as he proves he has mastered the art of nostalgic Hip-hop. The Bruiser Wolf-assisted and Daringer-produced “Hood On Fire” toes the line between these two worlds with Benny the Butcher holding nothing back over an eerie instrumental.
Colin Hay – “Catch A Star”
Man @ Work Volume 2
The long-awaited Volume 2 of Men At Work’s Colin Hay’s Man @ Work has finally arrived. Man @ Work Volume 2 comes after a 22-year hiatus from the project, and it is just as sonically diverse as we all hoped it would be. “Catch A Star” is an island-tinted highlight, featuring subtle grooves that are subtly hidden beneath sleek guitar melodies and bubbly vocals.
Alex G – “Beam Me Up”
Headlights
Alex G is the kind of artist who established a unique sound very early in their career as a recording artist. But, on their latest LP, that established sound detonates with a confetti blast of experimentation. Headlights marks Alex G’s first album with RCA Records and marks a sonic shift for the artist as his vocals become more nimble and folksy, his songwriting more daring, and his sonics become more expansive. “Beam Me Up” highlights this new side of Alex G’s songwriting as the artist takes us on a space-aged journey through quaint, warm textures.
$ilkmoney – “WE SNUCK THE HAMMER IN THE TUNNEL AND DIN EEN NEED TO”
WHO WATERS THE WILTING GIVING TREE ONCE THE LEAVES DRY UP AND THE FRUITS NO LONGER BEAR?
If you ever hear anyone complain about modern Hip-hop and its trends, simply point this person towards $ilkmoney to wake them up. The Virginia-bred emcee is one of the most singular voices in contemporary music, and this raw, natural penmanship is on full display across the artist’s latest LP, WHO WATERS THE WILTING GIVING TREE ONCE THE LEAVES DRY UP AND THE FRUITS NO LONGER BEAR? The psychedelic 15-song LP is overflowing with thought-provoking songwriting from a modern philosopher who carefully ponders his lyrics with delicate care, only to deliver them with cartoonish passion and reckless abandon. “WE SNUCK THE HAMMER IN THE TUNNEL AND DIN EEN NEED TO” is a highlight brimming with wisdom, brain-melting flows, and a warping arrangement to tie it all together.
NODEGA (BODEGA) – “Network”
Rot in Helvetica
NODEGA is the noise-punk side project of acclaimed Brooklyn-based indie band BODEGA, and they just released their debut project. Rot In Helvetica combines skate, thrash, noise, and hardcore punk to offer a look through the genre’s history through the lens of a band that does it for the pure love of fast tempos and complex tones. “Network” is a chugging highlight, offering a bleak look at modern love as Nodega creates pop-punk-tinted melodies to accompany the steam engine that is the arrangement.
Jeff Tweedy – “Out in the Dark”
Twilight Override
Wilco’s frontman, Jeff Tweedy, has officially entered back into the solo world with the announcement of a daring new album and a round of singles for everyone. Tweedy’s next solo venture, Twilight Override, is a thirty-song triple-disc monster set to be released on September 26. “Out in the Dark” is one of the four singles to be released along with the album announcement. “Out in the Dark” stands out as a picturesque lullaby of an acoustic tune with Tweedy’s signature imagery cascading around subtly bouncy guitar riffs.
Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist – “1995”
Alfredo 2
After five years of working on solo material and other collaborations, one of Hip-hop’s most feared duos returns with a face-melting single and a long-awaited follow-up. Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist have announced Alfredo 2, which is set to be released on July 25 and will be the proper continuation of 2020’s Alfredo. “1995” is our first single from the anticipated new album, and it only begins to highlight the natural chemistry between Gibbs and The Alchemist. Gibbs navigates an unpredictable, psychedelic instrumental from Alchemist with his signature nimble flows and well-earned confidence.
The Last Dinner Party – “This is the Killer Speaking”
From The Pyre
The Last Dinner Party has all the makings of alt-rock’s next darlings, and they look to solidify that place with the much-talked-about follow-up to their 2024 breakthrough debut. From The Pyre is the band’s sophomore effort, which is set to be released on October 17. “This is the Killer Speaking” is our lead single with cinematic undertones that elevate the storytelling in the lyrics to immersive heights, hinting at a stadium-sized LP from one of music’s most exciting young voices.
Blood Orange – “Somewhere in Between”
Essex Honey
After what felt like a very long six years with no Blood Orange full-length, multi-hyphenate Dev Hynes is finally ready to enter back into the world. The new Blood Orange album, Essex Honey, marks the first album from the project since 2019, and along with the announcement, Hynes releases “Mind Loaded” and “Somewhere in Between.” The latter is a hypnotic example of Hynes’s individuality as the artist pens pop-drenched melodies that skate over subtle horns, distant guitar riffs, and nuanced sonic tricks that add depth to the single.
