featuring Ichiko Aoba, Horsegirl, lots of hands & PLEASANTS
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 to Check Out guide featuring the most notable music released the week of December 13.
And don't forget to check out our YouTube, where DeVán reports on the latest music news every Friday.
BLIGATORY Picks
Ichiko Aoba - "FLAG"
Contemporary Folk, Singer-Songwriter
via hermine / Psychic Hotline
write-up by Atticus Deeny
Widely acclaimed Japanese singer-songwriter Ichiko Aoba has delivered another transportive single in preparation for the February release of Luminescent Creatures. The upcoming project will be her 8th studio album, and her first since 2020’s Windswept Adam, which found crossover success in the U.S. after receiving rave reviews worldwide.
Like most of Aoba’s earlier music, “FLAG” is purely vocals and acoustic guitar. Her serene vocals are the track's main focus, creating a simple atmosphere of fantasy and wonder. In the past, Aoba has stated that she tries to create music “for a mythical movie,” which comes through clearly on both of her new singles.
While Aoba has executed heavily conceptual work in the past, it is not yet clear whether Luminescent Creatures will feature that level of storytelling. As per her Bandcamp pre-order, however, the album (out 2/18/25) was produced alongside Taro Umebayashi and includes a plethora of woodwind, string, and synthesizer performances.
Atticus' Pick
Valee & Surf Gang - Grey Sky London (EP)
Trap, Cloud Rap
via Surf Gang Records
Dominick's Pick
PLEASANTS - "Losing Streak" / "Sick Sad Situation"
Garage Rock, Garage Punk, Power Pop
via Under The Gun Records
In March of this year, Australian musician Alex Patching—aka ‘Al Uminum’ and member of Ghoulies & Aborted Tortoise—put out his first release under the PLEASANTS name with Rocanrol In Mono. Spoiler: that will be making an appearance near the top of my upcoming album of the year list. Meeting where the lines between power pop and garage punk blur, it is a super fun, no-frills record primed for countless repeat listens.
Sharing a new double single to close out the year, “Losing Streak” and “Sick Sad Situation” are rockin’. Both songs drop the synths heard on Rocanrol In Mono for an even more direct approach to PLEASANTS’ scrappy and punchy punk rock.
Peter's Picks
Horsegirl - "Julie"
Indie Pop, Indie Rock
via Matador Records
Chicago three-piece Horsegirl serve up the second single ahead of their sophomore record Phonetics On and On. Astonishing and daring in its simplicity, "Julie" reminds us that less is more. "Julie" is of the deadpan variety, as Horsegirl usually is, or are. There's a niceness to this kind of deadpan, however. It's like meeting an old friend of which there's no social upkeep necessary; you get what you give, and there is a mutual, silent understanding.
Phonetics On and On releases February 14 via legendary label Matador.
US live dates in February and March include Washington, DC, Richmond, VA, and Woodstock, NY before the band head to Europe and the UK in June.
lots of hands - "masquerade"
Bedroom Pop, Slacker Rock
via Fire Talk Records
Lots of Hands' fourth single leading up to their upcoming project into a pretty room slopes into the same feel as their previous releases: melancholic, though heavily in the grips of an emotive whirlwind.
The upcoming album is shaping up to be of twee and tasteful slant. into a pretty room is out January 17 on Fire Talk Records.
I, Peter, will be attending the into a pretty room LP launch show in Newcastle on January 24.
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