highlighting new music by FKA twigs, Viagra Boys, Courting, Cheekface & MORE
An overwhelming amount of music is released daily, and we're here to help you weed through it all. Every week, we share select releases we are all looking forward to and personalized picks from a few of our editors.
Welcome to our new releases guide featuring the most notable music released the week of January 24.
BLIGATORY Picks
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Electronic Dance Music, Art Pop
via Young / Atlantic
Atticus' Picks
Frog - "MIXTAPE LINER NOTES VAR. VII"
Folk Rock, Alt-Country, Indie Folk
via tapewormies
This duo has formally announced their second project in two years, following up the late 2023 comeback album GROG with 1000 Variations on the Same Song. Due for release on February 14 (get ready for this week), the album will feature 11 songs, each being a “different version” of one another, apparently.
This first single “MIXTAPE LINER NOTES VAR. VII” mixes folk-type instruments such as acoustic guitar and banjo, with electronic drums and lo-fi recording effects while featuring Dan Bateman’s signature wavering tone of falsetto vocals. To be clear, there are both electronic and live drums on the track, playing at the same time occasionally. They trade out the electric rock production of the band’s last album to fit the composition’s more melancholic, downbeat feel. It can also be noted that the song is mastered quieter than their last album, giving even more of a homemade, demo feel.
The emotive and fairly dramatic “MIXTAPE LINER NOTES VAR. VII” will appear as track 8 of 11 on 1000 Variations on the Same Song, releasing February 14 via tapewormies.
Salami Rose Joe Louis - "Arm fell asleep" / "Cosmic Dawn / Eighth Dimension"
Ambient Pop, Neo-Psychedelia
via Brainfeeder
Dominick's Picks
Open Head - What Is Success
Post-Punk, Noise Rock, Experimental Rock
via Wharf Cat Records
What Is Success is the second album from Kingston, New York’s Open Head. Experimental, no-wave inspired punk ranging from sludgy and overbearing to sharp and punchy. Out now via Wharf Cat Records.
Skull Cult - Can't You See What I Mean? (EP)
Garage Punk, Egg Punk | Under the Gun Records
Spiky synth punk on Skull Cult’s first release since 2018. Bouncy, chaotic, and raw. Out now via Under the Gun.
Cheekface - "Growth Sux"
Indie Rock
Self-Released
Los Angeles trio and America’s local band are back with their third single in just over three months. Following “Hard Mode” in December and “Flies” in October, “Growth Sux” is the first Cheekface offering of 2025.
“Growth Sux” works the typical Cheekface angle with its witty, observational approach and talk-sing delivery.
“Growth sucks / And makes you worse / You gotta stay close to the one you were.”
No official news yet, but keep your eyes peeled for a new Cheekface album soon. They surprise-released It’s Sorted last year after sharing four singles. Record number five might be rapidly approaching in secret.
Cheekface just played two shows in Canada and will resume their 2025 tour (US/Canada) in April. Find all of the dates and tickets here.
Snapped Ankles - "Raoul"
Dance-Punk, Synth Punk
via The Leaf Label
Anonymous art-punks Snapped Ankles announce their new album, Hard Times Furious Dancing, and share its lead single. The synth-heavy, brain-melting, and groove-sick “Raoul” sets a commanding tone that aptly matches the album’s title.
The masked band from London put out their last record, Forest of Your Problems in 2021, with the only release between then and now being a six-track EP of Blurt covers in 2023. The weirdness is sure to continue on their upcoming fourth album. Hard Times Furious Dancing is out March 28 via The Leaf Label.
Viagra Boys - "Man Made of Meat"
Dance-Punk, Post-Punk Revival
via Shrimptech Enterprises
The Swedish post-punk band Viagra Boys announce their fourth album behind its lead single “Man Made of Meat.” After three albums on YEAR0001, the upcoming Viagr Aboys is set to release through the freshly launched Shrimptech Enterprises.
Viagra Boys have been one of my absolute favorites for quite some time now. Explosive dance-punk with a real character of a frontman, they’ve had me hooked since their debut Street Worms.
“Man Made of Meat” is in line with the bizarre and semi-crude approach the band takes to lyrics with a chorus of “I am a man that’s made of meat / You’re on the internet looking at feet / I hate almost everything that I see / And I just wanna disappear.”
Viagr Aboys is out April 25 via Shrimptech Enterprises. VB’s tour schedule in 2025 will see them travelling Europe in May/April before landing in North America in September. Find all of the dates and tickets here.
Crab - "Paper Man"
Garage Rock, Cowpunk | via Moozik Records
The newest track from Brooklyn's Crab comes with a bit of a cowpunk slant to it. "Paper Man" is the third and final single from the band's upcoming EP, ApeApeApeApeApe, which is due next week on February 1 via Moozik Records. Watch the video for "Paper Man" here.
Cross Record - "Charred Grass"
Singer-Songwriter, Art Pop | via Ba Da Bing! Records
"Charred Grass" is the latest track from Cross Record, the solo project of Loma's lead vocalist Emily Cross. Alongside the sprawling lead single, "Charred Grass," Cross announces her newest album Crush Me. Crush Me marks the first Cross Record release in nearly six years and comes out March 21 via Ba Da Bing! Watch the video for "Charred Grass" here.
Jeffrey Lewis - "Sometimes Life Hits You"
Indie Rock, Folk Rock | via Don Giovanni Records
Step aside, Bob Dylan. NYC anti-folk/folk punk legend and comic book artist Jeffrey Lewis announces his new record, The EVEN MORE Freewheelin' Jeffrey Lewis, behind its lead single "Sometimes Life Hits You." The EVEN MORE Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis is out on March 21 via Don Giovanni Records. Watch the video for "Sometimes Life Hits You" here.
The Men - "PO Box 96"
Garage Rock, Garage Punk | via Fuzz Club
Good ol' high-voltage garage rock. "PO Box 96" is the second single from Brooklyn band The Men's upcoming tenth studio album. Buyer Beware is out on February 28 via Fuzz Club Records. Watch the video for "PO Box 96" here.
Accessory - "Chain Link"
Neo-Psychedelia, Hypnagogic Pop | via ACX
Friends In Real Life - "Under Water"
Indie Pop, Folk Pop | Self-Released
Ruby Fields - "92 Purebred"
Post-Punk, Indie Rock | via Space 44
Y - "Why"
Nu Jazz, Art Punk | via Hideous Mink / So Recordings
Peter's Picks
Citizenry - "Took To Take"
Experimental Rock, Industrial Rock, Post-Punk
via Safe Sounds
Preoccupations drummer Michael Wallace ventures into solo territory under the guise of Citizenry. "Took to Take" is Citizenry's first release. Robust, rubbery rhythms, gnarly bass tones and slicing hi-hats pull the listener into the oblique world of Citizenry: a world of futuristic feel and electronic skew.
The single's accompanying music video was produced by Cam Saville and bolsters the tracks gothic futurism.
About the track, Citizenry had this to say:
“’Took to Take’ is essentially about escapism. It's not about distractions but more like stepping aside and getting out of the line of fire as much as possible, the need to create your own reality by living life and interacting with your world in your own way. At times it feels like you truly have to escape it or else you're going to drown."
You can purchase a copy of Citizenry's debut album through a 'pay what you can' link which is available here.
Courting - "After You"
Indie Rock, Post-Punk Revival
via Lower Third / Play It Again Sam Records
Courting pave the path to album number three with "After You," the second single released en route to said album. "After You." in the most positive way possible, could easily lead the charge in FIFA 2026's soundtrack. It has that hint of fresh existentialism with a dash of raw 'lad' energy. Courting continue to come up with the goods.
"Can we split off in groups of two..."
Courting's upcoming album, the short and sweetly titled Lust For Life, Or: How To Thread The Needle And Come Out The Other Side To Tell The Story, is out March 14 via Lower Third / Play It Again Sam Records.
KEG - "Skybather"
Art Rock, Post-Punk
via Alcopop! Records
Brighton-based seven-piece KEG continue their streak of quirky singles with "Skybather," a smooth, trombone-infused piece of art pop intent. With two just as out there and organically strange EP's under their belt, the wait for their debut has been a rather exciting one.
KEG's debut album Fun's Over is out March 14 via Alcopop! Records. “Achieve higher consciousness by pre-ordering the album from your local headshop,” says the band, via Instagram.
KEG head on a UK tour consisting of pre-dominantly in-store gigs to promote the debut record in March and venture into Europe for a few dates across April and May.
The Murder Capital - "The Fall"
Post-Punk Revival, Art Rock
via Human Seasons Records
The Murder Capital are firmly in the driver’s seat and heading at high speed toward album number three Blindness. Musically speaking, the material's becoming a little unhinged. As for frontman James McGovern, his emotional afflictions are bubbling to the surface. The bearings of the band are coming loose.
Speaking on the track, McGovern says, “...The Fall is inevitable. The Fall is one finger over the self destruct button, while the other holds its pose in meditation.”
Blindness releases February 21 via Human Seasons.
Comments