This week is a rather small, but mighty one for new releases. On first glance, it appears to be a light week, but there’s actually a lot of great stuff all worthy of your time and attention.
Noname’s latest album Sundial, her first in five years, was originally met with some controversy around a Jay Electronica feature (due to his association with the Nation of Islam) which resulted in a delay from its original July schedule, but it finally arrives today and also features guest spots from billy woods and Common.
If you had told me at the start of the year that one of my most anticipated albums of 2023 would be a new release from The Hives, I would’ve laughed, but after dropping a lot of killer singles, the heat is on for the latest from these rock and rolling Swedes and if the rest of the album can contain the same energy as these early previews, then it should easily place as one of the best rock records of the year.
With the dissolve of Fuck Buttons official, Andrew Hung has offered up another solo album that shares a lot of similarities with his noisy electronic duo and should satisfy the hunger of fans who are longing for more bristling, heavy noise. Funky disco act Jungle keep the beats steadily grooving on their new album Volcano, a vivacious and luxe record that sets the mood for late night dance parties with shimmering rhythms and velvety tones.
Ambient instrumentalist Spencer Zahn always seems to be up to something and his latest work is the first of two releases he has planned for this year. Statues I is the first in the series and distilled beauty and focuses on the tranquil melodies he’s been crafting for quite some time.
In 2021, Turnstile released the game-changing record GLOW ON and since then, they’ve gone on to dominate the scene. Today they’re back with a new EP that’s a collaboration with Toronto jazz/hip-hop act BadBadNotGood. The EP is three reinterpreted tracks that steer away from hardcore and more towards a bossanova, lounge music vibe. It’s rad.
If you’re a reader here, you’re fully aware of my love and dedication to all things Neil Young and today we’re graced with one of his most iconic “lost” albums that he shelved back in the ‘70s during the height of his most prolific songwriting. Chrome Dreams has long been bootlegged amongst fans and many of its tracks have appeared on subsequent albums, but for any of his big fans, this is a holy grail release that many of us never thought would see the light of day.
When he’s not busy slaying the guitar for rising rock act Wednesday, MJ Lenderman is churning out fried-up alt-country bangers and this week he dropped a tuned-up version of his track “Knockin” which name checks an iconic Dylan song over some J Mascis-quality guitar licks.
After dropping the lead single from her highly anticipated sophomore record to much fanfare earlier this summer, Olivia Rodrigo has done it again on “bad idea right?,” another ‘90s alt-pop banger that feels fresh and fun, that does enough to shift up her style while remaining true to her sound.
Shoegaze icons Slowdive will release their second reunion album next month and this week they shared the closing track “the slab.” They say it’s the heaviest song on the record and it’s a bit of a bruiser as the wall of guitars wrap you in a heavy gauze blanket of amplified warmth with vocals layered in deep, acting like another instrument rather than a prominent feature.
Taking elements of disco, yacht rock, and dreamy city pop, MUNYA dropped another sensational track this week that will leave you feeling glamorous and full of life. It’s like a spritz in a song: light, bubbly, and refreshing as hell. Hot Chip just released yet another underrated album last year and this week they’ve returned with another delectable dance track that will have you moving and grooving for the rest of the summer.
Albums:
Noname | Sundial
Bonnie “Prince” Billy | Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You
The Hives | The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons
Andrew Hung | Deliverance
Jungle | Volcano
Spencer Zahn | Statues I
Turnstile / BadBadNotGood | New Heart Designs
The Reds, Pinks and Purples | Inner Richmond
Neil Young | Chrome Dreams
Songs:
MJ Lenderman | “Knockin”
Olivia Rodrigo | “bad idea right?”
Fred again / Obongjayar | “i adore u”
Slowdive | “the slab”
MUNYA | “Once Again”
Chappell Roan | “HOT TO GO!”
Molly Burch | “Unconditional”
Whitney | “Kansas”
Hot Chip | “Fire of Mercy” (ft yunè pinku)
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2023) here!