Gold Soundz: April 4, 2025

This week's suggested new music, curated by omg!nyc

Apr 04, 2025

Our country may be in total free fall, but good music is still coming our way. ‘90s-inspired indie rockers Momma churned out the great album Household Name in 2022 and now they’re back with a follow-up that should exceed expectations as they double-down on their fuzzy guitar jams and hard hitting choruses.

The history of Black Country, New Road has been rocky. Just when they were set to release their excellent sophomore album, their vocalist quit the band and left things up in the air for the group’s future. Still, they decided to stick together, released a live recording of new songs and now they’re back with their first proper studio album of new material since their world nearly imploded and this one is filled with the twee art-rock jams that helped build their reputation in the first place.

As I’ve noted, no genre seems to be having a moment quite like shoegaze and this week Panchiko enter the mix with their dreamy jams of heavy reverb and this album features a guest spot from the greatest rapper in the game, billy woods. The lush guitar tones here are ever-pleasant and the walls of sound are still towering making for something that still sounds exciting even as the genre starts to feel overcrowded.

Hardcore is also having a bit of a moment as the forever underground scene continues to gain traction and notoriety. Scowl are part of the reason the genre has really taken off as of late and their new record is sure to cement their status as one of the best bands doing it and may help bring more fans into the realm as well.

Brutal noise rockers Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs make music that feels both bruising and intense, but on a bit of a more approachable scale that won’t make you decipher screams. Their heaviness may deter some folks, but their sound continues to blur genres and turn heads which gives us something to marvel at with each new record.

On their second single of 2025, HAIM hit us with a direct drum beat and a stripped back acoustic riff that feels tightly wound and zoned in. This is the band in rock mode, super locked in and in control. It’s one of their most interesting guitar riffs to date as it digs in deep on an alternative influence and further away from their poppier moments.

With it’s Björk-esque album cover and rock influence on the initial single from earlier in the week, the second single from Miley Cyrus’ upcoming album leans more towards ABBA-lite disco, a billowing pop number that’s instantly sweet and memorable with hints of ‘80s synth-pop in the budding chorus, plus it features writing credits from Alvvays as well.

It’s been fourteen years since Wu Lyf released their lone album, but after Ellery James Roberts ended his other band Lost Under Heaven, the return of the Wu felt imminent. This week the band updated their social media presence and dropped their first new song since their debut album. It doesn’t have quite the howl as you might expert, but there’s something churning and it feels like we’re on the verge of an illustrious comeback.

“Everyone’s a little fucking bitch and I’m sick and tired of it.” That’s a hell of a way to start your lead single, but when you have the gusto of The Hives, you’re willing to take big risks. The Swedish garage rockers have a new album on the way and this slamming new single really sets the stage for their still undeniable swagger.

Three years ago, Wet Leg were THE buzz band of the moment and many wondered how they’d follow up their wild hype. Well, after teasing new material, the band played some rather intimate shows recently and played a ton of new songs. This week they shared a punchy new single that continues to draw upon their cheeky, angular post-punk vibes on puts the notion of a sophomore slump on ice.

Forever melancholic jangle pop group The Reds, Pinks and Purples are constantly churning out new releases and later this year the Glenn Donaldson led group will release their latest collection of moody pop tunes. “I Only Ever Wanted to See You Fail” is a quintessential track that sums up what makes their sound so classic and consistent.

Recalling early 2010s lo-fi bedroom pop recordings, The Pennys have shared the soft and dreamy surf rock tune “Say Something.” A homespun acoustic number, there’s a simple, warm glow that hovers over the track and gives it a rather effortless charm, its gentle in nature making it a rather comfortable and easy going song.

In 2023, the trio of Stephen Vitiello, Brendan Canty, and Hahn Rowe released a stellar ambient piece called “First.” Now they’ve returned and have a new full-length on the way. Along with announcing the record, they shared another moving tune called “Last Minute Guitar” that flows freely towards cosmic jazz while Canty’s percussion kicks in to add shape and help give it a firm beat.

Bruce Springsteen announced a new box set that comprises of seven albums he wrote and recorded over the span of 1983-2018 and includes more than 80 tracks. According to The Boss, “’The Lost Albums’ were full records, some of them even to the point of being mixed and not released” and “I’ve played this music to myself and often close friends for years now. I’m glad you’ll get a chance to finally hear them. I hope you enjoy them.”

Albums:

Songs:

If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2025) here!

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