Week after week, it seems like major new releases keep dropping through our speakers and while keeping this pace alive has to eventually run its course, this doesn’t appear to be the week that will happen. Today, after the longest drought in their studio album discography, M83 return to their classic sound of soaring, widescreen epics. After the bizarre Junk, Fantasy seems to be a return to the sound that made M83 seem massive from the start with shoegazey guitars and post-rock builds all met with electronics that went full on pop to help shape the end the first decade of the new millenium.
For the past few years, Yves Tumor has broken the mold on what it means to be a rock star and today they’re back with another record that defies the traditional aspects of the genre to create something totally unique and empowering. 100 Gecs, a duo who’ve also challenged the realms of pop and pushed it in a brand new direction, are back with their confident yet just as brazen new album that will surely leave many in a haze that will continuously call them back for more.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra have been dropping singles to their new double album since 2021, but at long-last the full thing has arrived. Taking many paths and ranging from the pop-forward “This Life” to the knotty “I Killed Captain Cook,” this is the most complex record from Ruban Nielson and co yet. Years after making Autotune a major instrument of the mainstream and then later proving via Tiny Desk Concerts that he could actually hold his own as a singer, T-Pain returns this week with a covers record which spans the likes of Sam Smith, Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra, and… Black Sabbath.
Texas death metal act Frozen Soul have a new record coming in May and this week they shared the bruising, yet touching, new single “Arsenal of War.” It’s a tribute to lead singer Chad Green’s late brother and carries his light to combat the darkness.
On Valentine’s Day, Feist shared three singles from her upcoming album and this week she shared one more. The urgent, and at moments rather hostile, “Borrowed Trouble” climaxes in epic screams from the singer and gives us a new glimpse into what she has in store. Dreamy slowcore act Cindy also have a new record on the way and this week they shared two more singles. “The Price Is Right” is another meditative gem that comes to life like the audio equivalent of dew evaporating from a flower and “Earthly Belonging” is a buoyant jam that careens with delightful synth and an upbeat groove making for one of their most bubbling songs to date..
The Alchemist may be teaming up with Larry June for an upcoming record, but this week he dropped a blazing new track with the illustrious Hit Boy for another dusted groove burner that fits perfectly in their collective sonic wheelhouse. This week also delivered the news of a collaboration between JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown will soon be on the way and the lead single “Lean Beef Patty” is the exact chaos you’d expect from the duo.
Following a run of shows earlier this year that peaked with a five hour set at the legendary Madison Square Garden, the trio of Skrillex, Four Tet, and Fred again.. have dropped the collaborative track, “Baby again..” which is a true rave banger that must be an explosive part of their joint sets. Last year, Danielle Ponder released her debut record and this week she shared another stunning track, “Spiraling.” Her vocals continue to inspire, like a modern Nina Simone, oozing absolute power and brilliant control, she’s a massive talent in the making.
End of the aughts superstars Animal Collective released their best album in a decade last year and now they’re gearing up to reissue their debut. As part of that release, they’ll also include an EP of unreleased tracks (including a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”) and this week they shared the glitch-pop leaning “Untitled #1” which proves just how forward-thinking they were over twenty years ago. Last year also saw the return of synth-pop auteurs Phoenix and this week they shared a new take on “After Midnight,” this time featuring Clairo on guest vocals.
Albums:
M83 | Fantasy
Yves Tumor | Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)
100 Gecs | 10,000 gecs
Unknown Mortal Orchestra | V
T-Pain | On Top Of The Covers
Tei Shi | Bad Premonition EP
Princess Nokia | i love you but this is goodbye EP
Songs:
Frozen Soul | “Arsenal of War”
Feist | “Borrowed Trouble”
Cindy | “The Price Is Right” / “Earthly Belonging”
Drug Dealer | “Lip Service”
JPEGMAFIA / Danny Brown | “Lean Beef Patty”
Hit Boy / The Alchemist | “Slipping Into Darkness”
Skrillex / Four Tet / Fred again.. | “Baby again..”
Danielle Ponder | “Spiraling”
Animal Collective | “Untitled #1”
Phoenix | “After Midnight” (ft Clairo)
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2023) here!