Things are finally settling in as we reach the end of a long January and we’re about to hit a stride of excellent new releases. Today we get the sophomore record from The Smile and it’s another gem from a band that now has nothing to prove. This is a calmer record than their debut, feeling more relaxed and worn-in, perhaps because the group was able to play a lot of the material live on tour before committing in the studio. There aren’t songs that hit with the same impact as some of the more rocking moments on their first go around, but instead the band focuses on tight grooves with soft, subtle textures. This doesn’t sound as labored over as some of the their past work, the band members finally allowing themselves to breathe and let their creative juices flow without the pressure of a big name band hanging over their heads. Last year’s explosive “Bending Hectic” is probably the stand-out and most striking song on the record, but the recent single “Friend of a Friend” is perhaps the most inviting with its paisley pop sparking something we haven’t heard from these creators in quite some time. Drummer Tom Skinner goes punch for punch with his esteemed bandmates as well, finding little pockets within their complex time signatures to add his own magic to the mix, flexing the muscles of the most intriguing trio in “rock” music.
Garage rocker Ty Segall has been a bit more relaxed in terms of releases schedules over the past few years, but his output remains prolific and this week he’s back with yet another blast of fuzzed out bangers. It’s been a decade since Future Islands gave their iconic performance on David Letterman which helped boost them to new heights of popularity and this week they return with a new album full of their synth-punk jams.
Dream-poppers The Umbrellas make pastoral, bright, bubbly rock and roll that shines with a bit of bleary-eyed lilt. Their sugary-sweet hooks and melodies make for solid blasts of mood-improving highlights with simple flourishes and jangly rhythms. Last year, Militarie Gun dropped their debut album and became breakout stars of the hardcore scene. Today, they’re unleashing a new EP that reworks some of those tracks into brand new versions that barely resemble the originals. Probably the closest they’ll come to a remix album.
Back in November, Megan Thee Stallion dropped a song called “Cobra” and today she’s got a new one called “HISS” and it’s jam-packed with barbs and a vicious flow that’s vintage Meg and will surely leave your head spinning. Later this year, Tierra Whack will release what she’s calling her debut album (unclear as to what she’s considering her excellent Whack World, but that’s not important) and today we have the lite and funky fist single, “SHOWER SONG.”
Tom Jenkins, best known as Squarepusher, has been a diabolical force in electronic music since the ‘90s and his latest single, “Wendorlan,” pushed his aggro drum and bass to the extreme, with a blitzkrieg of skittering beats that are sure to jostle the brain with furious vigor.
Bloghouse-era electro juggernauts Justice are preparing to return with their first album in eight years this coming spring and this week they shared two new songs. “One Night/All Night” is a collaboration with Kevin Parker (aka Tame Impala) and is a bit of a snoozer that slightly embellishes the disco-focus of his last album, but “Generator” picks things back up to give us the old Justice feel.
The Messthetics are composed of the rhythm section of the great American punk band Fugazi and lean more towards a jazzier sound than hardcore. They’ve been joined by saxophonist James Brandon Lewis (who they’ve been playing shows with as well) on their new single “Emergence” ahead of their new album that’s out later this year.
Jazz saxophonist Nubya Garcia’s last album was 2020’s Source, but last year she released the excellent track “Lean In” and this week she’s back with another single, “Fortify.” Her playing recalls timeless bebop sounds while infusing more modern drumming and near-psychedelic finish, giving it a fresh new feel.
UK post-punk group Squid dropped their sophomore record last year and this week shared the b-side “Fugue (Bin Song)” that features more of their urgent, skronking tones and steady rhythms. Glenn Donaldson has been on an epic run as The Reds, Pinks and Purples releasing six albums and a lot of EPs over the last five years and he’s got another record lined-up for April. The first single is a familiar sounding indie rock jam full of wistful lyrics and his typically melancholy vocals.
In 2022, Pan-American released the glacial-paced, glowing ambient record The Patience Fader and followed it up with a compilation album last year. In March, Mark Nelson will team-up with Kramer for a new record that’s full of celestial pieces of moving instrumental works and the first preview is the lovely and distilled piece “A Mountain is an Ancestor.”
Albums:
The Smile | Wall Of Eyes
Ty Segall | Three Bells
Future Islands | People Who Aren’t There Anymore
Katy Kirby | Blue Raspberry
The Umbrellas | Fairweather Friend
Philip Glass | Philip Glass Solo
Militarie Gun | Life Under The Sun EP
Songs:
Megan Thee Stallion | “HISS”
Tierra Whack | “SHOWER SONG”
Squarepusher | “Wendorlan”
Justice | “One Night/All Night” (ft Tame Impala) / “Generator”
The Reds, Pinks and Purples | “Your Worst Song is Your Greatest Hit”
The Messthetics | “Emergence” (ft James Brandon Lewis)
Pan-American / Kramer | “A Mountain is an Ancestor”
Nubya Garcia | “Fortify”
Squid | “Fugue (Bin Song)”
Lil Nas X | “Where Do We Go Now?”
Liam Gallagher / John Squire | “Mars to Liverpool”
Ice Spice | “Think U The Shit (Fart)”
Sunny Day Real Estate | “Novum Vetus”
Bullion | “Rare” (ft Carly Rae Jepsen)
Fabiana Palladino | “Stay With Me Through the Night”
Blue Lake | “Sun Arcs” [Laraaji remix]
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2024) here!