highlighting new music by MIKE, Weatherday, Solvent OS, Black Country, New Road & 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 31.
BLIGATORY Picks
MIKE - Showbiz!
Abstract Hip-Hop
via 10k
write-up by Atticus Deeny
The always-active New York rapper and producer MIKE has blessed fans with yet another solo album; his third in just three years, not to mention his two collaborative projects. Showbiz! was quietly announced via music video descriptions on YouTube, and is now shared in full as a massive 24-track album, similar to 2023’s Burning Desire.
Lo-fi sample beats continue to be MIKE’s chosen canvas for his nonchalant delivery, often opting to just rap a long verse and repeat a short hook, while sometimes dodging them completely. MIKE is an archaeologist when it comes to sampling dialogue as well, pulling poignant and original clips for the transitions on many songs here.
Showbiz! has moments of fun and catchiness (see ”Then we could be free..,” “man in the mirror,” “Lost Scribe”), but also reaches into deeper introspection and seriousness than Burning Desire or last year’s Pinball. The trio of “Zombie pt.2,” “Burning House,” and “Showbiz! (Intro)” is a particularly touching stretch of the album, with contemplative lyrics and rather dramatic instrumentals.
There is so much to choose from on Showbiz!, and despite the numerous brief compositions, it is sonically cohesive thanks to DJ blackpower (aka MIKE himself) and his fine-tuned production formula that rarely misses. Check out the album now via MIKE’s label 10k, and grab a ticket to the gigantic Artists of the Century Tour!
Weatherday - "Angel"
Slacker Rock, Emo
via Topshelf Records
write-up by Peter Doherty
The build-up to Weatherday's sophomore project gets underway with "Angel." Every inch of "Angels" bleeds the crisp crunch of distortion. The fuzzed-up fortification of angst finds the sounds on display put under eons of stress and uncertainty. The future will indeed arrive, but how will one fit in?
“Will it be ok? Probably not.”
Weatherday's eagerly awaited sophomore project Hornet Disaster releases March 19 via Topshelf Records. As per Weatherday's Bandcamp, Hornet Disaster is written, performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Sputnik.
Atticus' Picks
Eddie Chacon - Lay Low
Smooth Soul, Psychedelic Soul
via Stones Throw
FearDorian - Leaving Home
Cloud Rap, Trap
Self-Released
FROG - "JUST USE YR HIPS VAR. VI"
Piano Rock
via tapewormies
Dominick's Picks
Solvent OS - Panacea
Ambient Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Atmospheric Drum & Bass, Shoegaze
Self-Released
Panacea is the third album from Solvent OS, the project of Trenton-based musician and A Country Western bassist Paris Parker. A shifty but mesmerizing record, Panacea gracefully combines breakbeat and ambient sounds with the rough edges of shoegaze.
At 15 tracks and about 46 minutes, Panacea sits at more than the double the length of Clickbait Manifesto (2023, 20 minutes) and Bug (2022, 11 minutes). This added runtime really allows Parker to flourish on their most expansive and unflinching record to date.
Sweet Pill - Unraveled (EP)
Acoustic Rock, Emo-Pop | Hopeless Records
Acoustic reimaginings done right on Sweet Pill’s second EP since their 2022 debut album, Where the Heart Is. Unraveled features six new versions of previously released songs—four of which are taken from their debut, with the other two from last year’s Starchild EP. Out now via Hopeless Records.
Thee Mutilators - I Have Seen the Horror of the Future...
Egg Punk, Garage Punk | Self-Released
Dutch Interior - "Fourth Street"
Indie Rock, Alt-Country
via Fat Possum Records
In December, Los Angeles six-piece Dutch Interior shared the single “Sandcastle Molds.” This week, they released another one titled “Fourth Street” and announced their third album, Moneyball.
About the single, guitarist and vocalist Noah Kurtz’ says, “‘Fourth Street’ found its conception after a holiday trip visiting my parents. Starting off with a rambling recollection of feelings and personal anecdotes that come with living far away from loved ones, the song eventually builds to a chorus that’s about finding your footing on your own. Instrumentally, it was written with the intention of being a simple three-chord Americana rock song with a ratty, bubblegum chewing drum beat, whiny screaming lead guitar, and a cathartic a-rhythmic ending.”
Moneyball was produced by the band’s own Conner Reeves and mixed by Phil Ek (Modest Mouse, Duster, Fleet Foxes). It is the band’s third album, and their first for Fat Possum Records.
Moneyball is out on March 21 via Fat Possum. Dutch Interior have two shows before the album’s release (including SXSW) and then they will embark on a 12-stop tour. More info and tickets can be found here.
Grandmas House - "Slaughterhouse"
Post-Punk, Post-Grunge
via Duchess Box Records
Bristol-based punks Grandmas House had one of my favorite EPs of 2023 with Who Am I. Since then, the trio of Yasmin Berndt, Zoë Zinsmeister, and Poppy Dodgson became a four-piece with the addition of Polly Jessett.
In November, Grandmas House released a gritty single in “Screw It Up.” This week, they are following that up with the grungy “Slaughterhouse” and the announcement of their forthcoming five-track EP, Anything For You.
Yet to share their first full-length, Anything For You is the band’s third EP and is set for release on April 11 via Duchess Box Records.
Hooky & Winter - "horseshoe"
Slacker Rock, Bedroom Pop, Dream Pop
via Julia's War
Hooky—the Philly-based project of Scott Turner and Sam Silbert—and Brazilian-American singer-songwriter Samira Winter both had a notable 2024. We got the fourth Hooky album with Mirage, while Winter shared the …and she’s still listening EP and had one of my favorite features of the year, appearing on “How Far” by Philly indie rockers A Country Western.
This week, Hooky & Winter share “horseshoe,” the lead single from an upcoming collaborative EP titled Water Season. “horseshoe” proves another fruitful collab with a Philly act for Winter, who recently relocated from Los Angeles to New York.
About the “horseshoe” music video, Winter says, “I took the train to Philly and for a couple of days, we just jammed at Scott [Turner]’s place for hours. It was this cool feeling of making new friends, exploring a city and also making art together for the first time. It strangely felt like I had known them forever, even though it was the first time we were hanging out.”
Water Season is out February 14 via Julia’s War Records.
Dana Gavanski - "Leaving Home Again"
Singer-Songwriter, Indie Pop | via Full Time Hobby
Less than a year after releasing LATE SLAP, London-based singer-songwriter Dana Gavanski announces her new EP alongside "Leaving Home Again." Again Again is out March 14 via Full Time Hobby.
Mamalarky - "Feels So Wrong"
Indie Rock, Psychedelic Pop| via Epitaph Records
In October, the Los Angeles-via-Austin, Texas group Mamalarky made their label debut for Epitaph with "Nothing Lasts Forever." This week, they shared the second single since their 2022 sophomore album, Pocket Fantasy, with the delightfully groovy and reassuring "Feels So Wrong."
Momma - "I Want You (Fever)"
Power Pop, Shoegaze | via Polyvinyl
Specializing in catchy, punchy, power pop that evokes 'feel the breeze and let your hair down,' Momma pave the way for album number five with "I Want You (Fever)." Welcome To My Blue Sky is out April 4 via Polyvinyl. Watch the video here.
Tunic - "The Sharpening of a Blade"
Noise Rock, Experimental Rock | via Midwest Debris
Just two weeks ago, Canadian atonal punks Tunic announced their fourth album alongside the single "Eyes Crossed Out." This week, the duo shares with another imposing track titled "The Sharpening of a Blade." A Harmony of Loss Has Been Sung is out February 28 via Midwest Debris. Watch the video for "The Sharpening of a Blade" here.
Synth Punk, Egg Punk| via Leisure World Tapes
Jimothy Lacoste - "Buzzing" (prod. by Jappa)
Hip House | via TIMUSIC Records
La Sécurité - "Ketchup"
Art Punk, Post-Punk | via Bella Union / Mothland
Lysistrata - "Get Fixed" (ft. Alex Edkins)
Post-Hardcore, Post-Punk | via Vicious Circle
Post Office Winter - "Their Whole World in a Single Teaspoon"
Noise Pop, Indie Rock| via Hallogallo
Peter's Picks
Pebbledash - Four Portraits of the Same Ugly House
Shoegaze, Alternative Rock
Self-Released
Cork-based band Pebbledash released their first project on January 31. Four Portraits of the Same Ugly House runs the gamut from slow-burn aesthetics to deep-dives into noisy, shoegaze-y territory. You have the blissful energy of never-ending, vivid Summer, to the dark times of inescapable, downtrodden self-assessment. Major potential is a major understatement.
Black Country, New Road - "Besties"
Progressive Pop, Chamber Pop
via Ninja Tune
Black Country, New Road return for the first time since their Live at Bush Hall live album. A less existential approach to the band’s output had been made since Isaac Wood bowed out of the spotlight. For better or for worse is a personal judgment. The musicianship is still stellar. For me, it's apples and oranges with fairly similar foundations to pick from; more direct with less beating around the bush.
BC,NR's upcoming studio album Forever Howlong releases April 4 on Ninja Tune.
The band will head on tour across the US in May. They’ll be supporting St. Vincent in Denver on May 16, with other stops including support from Friko and Nora Brown & Stephanie Coleman. Tours of the UK and Europe follow later in the year in September and October. Find more information here.
Glare - "Guts"
Alternative Rock, Dream Pop
via Sunday Drive Records
"Guts" is the hazy lead single from Glare's upcoming debut full-length Sunset Funeral. The Texas collective will be looking to follow-up their popular Into You / Void In Blue set of EP's released in 2017 and the 2021 Heavenly EP. The cavernous swell of noisy dream-spheres that Glare muster up capture the bittersweet aftertaste of love and lust like no other.
Sunset Funeral is out April 4 via Sunday Drive Records.
House Proud - "Farmers"
Post-Punk, Post-Hardcore
via Serial Bowl Records
The gem of the North East's crown House Proud let loose a track that has been featured on all of the band’s live sets in recent times. The quartet of House Proud was completed somewhere in late 2023/early 2024 and "Farmers" is House Proud's second single, following the release of "Rescue Dog" last August.
With two official singles under the band’s belt, one would expect a project of some sort on the horizon. Only time will tell.
For those in the Newcastle area, House Proud will support Aussie post-punkers Negative Gears at The Lubber Fiend on February 11.
Comments