Welcome back to new music weekly. Here’s what you need to know…

~ANNOUNCEMENTS~

-Weyes Blood has a new album, “And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow” coming out November 18th.

-Rapper Bladee has a new album coming out September 30th titled “Spiderr”

-Parmore have announced their first single in 5 years “This Is Why” coming September 28th.

– “Only Built For Infinity Links” the new album from  Migos, members Quavo and Takeoff comes October 17th.

-Producer Metro Boomin’s new record “Heroes & Villains” releases November 4th.

-New MAVI album “laughing so hard, it hurts” coming October 14.

-Rapper PnB Rock has sadly passed away after an altercation during a robbery at a restaurant he was dining at.

~SINGLES~

“Atopos” by Björk

Genre: Art Pop

Rating: [9/10]

Björk’s first track in 5 years and her lead single for her upcoming 10th album “Fossora”, it is a mixture of the electronic experimentation of her earlier albums like “Homogenic” with the natural authenticism of her later albums such as “Biophelia”.  Her voice sounds as great as ever, with it meshing extremely well with the thumping electronic beat and the orchestral backing.

“Miracles” by Alex G

Genre: Indie Rock

Rating: [8/10]

The 4th single for “God Save the Animals” is probably the most somber and most personal song Alex G has released so far.  It has Alex G on the forefront more than a lot of the other singles in which his vocals are a lot more smothered behind vocal mixings, and it’s altogether a really sweet track.

“Ice V” by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Genre: Funk Rock, Psych Rock

Rating: [8/10]

The 10 minute teaser towards the first of their three albums releasing next month, “Ice V” is a funky psych rock track that knows what it is and stays within its capabilities.  From a band like KG&LW I usually expect a track like this to go through many more passages, but instead this track sticks to one thing and does it well.

“Jesus Freak Lighter” by Blood Orange

Genre: Alternative RnB

Rating: [7/10]

It’s a beautiful track, but the make or break here is just the memorability.  Love the lowkey production style but it leads to a song that doesn’t leave the biggest impact.  Still doesn’t take away from the overall quality more so just a thing about how often i’ll come back to this song.

“Tonight” by Phoenix (ft. Ezra Koenig)

Genre: Indie Rock

Rating: [8/10]

Really nice Indie Rock track starring Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, who’s vocals mesh very well with Thomas Mars’ vocals.  It’s a pretty simple track that is just a joy to listen to and a good return for the band.

~ALBUMS~

“Natural Brown Prom Queen” by Sudan Archives

Genre: Alternative RnB 

Rating: [8/10]

The newest album from Sudan Archives is the smoothest RnB album of the year and a fantastic showcase of artistry.  The 2nd album from singer Brittney Parks is an improvement in almost every way.  The album is an extremely confident showing, with every song having its own unique, lovely flair.  Songs like “Home Maker”, “Homesick (Gorgeous & Arrogant)”, and “Selfish Soul” are much lighter, smooth RnB tracks while songs like “OMG BRITT” throw that against a wall for more intense hit type tracks that work very well.  It’s all around just a very wonderful showcase of style and substance.

Favorite Tracks: “OMG BRITT”, “Home Maker”, and “Selfish Soul”

Least Favorite: None

“I Love You Jennifer B” by Jockstrap

Genre: Art Pop, Glitch Pop

Rating: [9/10]

The debut full length LP from London Art-Pop duo Jockstrap is an expressive and divine showcase of their abilities as artists.  The duo of Georgia Ellery and Taylor Skye have been around for only a few years now, I initially had found out about them through their 2020 EP “Wicked City” which balanced the zaniness and experimentation of “Injury Reserve” with the beauty of the likes of Regina Spektor.  Their newest album has been one of my most anticipated releases after hearing the singles that they’ve released over the years that all presented their distinct sounds.  This album significantly draws back the “glitchiness”, but that’s not to say it isn’t present at all.  This album is simply serene, Georgia’s vocals have improved a ton and it shows on basically every track and it comes together as an album that proudly flaunts its influences while still being its own unique thing.

Favorite Songs: “Jennifer B”, “Greatest Hits”, “What’s It All About?”, “Concrete Over Water”, “Debra”, “Glasgow”, “Lancaster Court”, and “50/50”

Least Favorites: “Angst”

“Horsespit on Route 66” by The Garden

Genre: Art Punk, Experimental Rock

Rating: [8/10]

Californian Punk Rock duo “The Garden” put together their most playful, zany, and haunting album yet.  The Shears twins have been some of my favorite artists for a while now, in a time where I was kind of bored of a lot of music I found them to be an eccentric breath of fresh air.  Their new album hits the horse race very quickly with the opener “Haunted House on Zillow” that fulfills a part of me that wanted a horrorcore art punk track, that I didn’t even know about.  From there on the album only ups the wackiness on tracks like “What Else Could I Be But a Jester?” which has them exploring their more electronic side in a silly little electronic punk track with cute verses from them and Wyatt having a funny little reference to his cameo in the 2000 film “Chicken Run” at only 6 years old.  There are many different styles to find in this short 20 minute package like the repetitive indie style “Orange County Punk Rock Legends”, the heavy “OC93”, the slimy “Squished Face Slick Pig Living in a Smokey City”, straight up noise rock in “Puerta de Limosina”, and the most catchy songs they have put out in “Freight Yard”, “X In the Dirt”, and “Chainsaw the Door”.  It’s an album that’s jam packed despite its short runtime and benefits from the band being as nonchalant and fun as they are.

Favorite Songs: “Haunted House on Zillow”, “OC93”, Freight Yard”, “Horsespit on Route 66”, “What Else Could I Be But a Jester?”, “X in the Dirt”, “Orange County Punk Rock Legends”, and “Squished Face Slick Pig Living in a Smokey City”

Least Favorites: None