While we are still ramping up to the official start of the holiday season, November is kicking off with a bag of gifts. Just when it may seem like the music world is entering vacation mode, with almost every album announcement being attached to a date in 2026, this week proves that 2025 is far from being in our rearview mirror. This week, we have a collection of stellar LPs that cement and rejuvenate legacies, triumphant returns from some of Hip-hop’s finest, and a few singles from some highly anticipated albums.
You can check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music below, and be sure to follow our Caustic Spotify playlist for November to keep up with the freshest releases.
Mavis Staples – “Satisfied Mind”
Sad and Beautiful World
The cross-generational soul of Mavis Staples continues to barrel forward into a new era on her stripped-down Sad and Beautiful World LP. The latest addition to Staples’s timeless discography arrives on a cloud of intimacy, as the artist opts for stripped-down instrumentation for ten heartfelt ballads. “Satisfied Mind” explores the beauty of simplicity, encapsulating the sonic sentiment of Sad and Beautiful World in a swaying ode to self-acceptance.
DRAIN – “Can’t Be Bothered”
…IS YOUR FRIEND
Hardcore punk’s next great hope cements itself as such, as DRAIN proves to be a singular force of nature across ten poetically distorted tunes on …IS YOUR FRIEND. The trio’s third LP cements what most fans already knew: DRAIN is punk’s next stars, and this collection is set to push the band to new heights. “Can’t Be Bothered” is a slice of the hardcore prowess that drives this album, with strep throat vocals that skate over chugging guitars and thudding drums.
Tristen – “Know By Heart”
Unpopular Music
Tristen, the ever-evolving project of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Tristen Gaspadarek, has been shaking up pop music since the early 2010s, and her latest release is no different. Unpopular Music is a warm, 10-song outing that conveys a welcoming intimacy, disguising the raw emotions Gaspadarek explores throughout the album. “Know By Heart” is a moody, palpable ballad with lush vocals that cascade around gentle acoustic riffs.
Midlake – “The Guardians” (Feat. Madison Cunningham)
A Bridge To Far
The Texas-bred, genre-blurring outfit, Midlake, returns with their first album since 2022, and these ten songs were worth every minute of the wait. A Bridge To Far is a psychedelic journey through the triumphs and pitfalls of life, and how the true beauty is simply bubbling under the surface. The Madison Cunningham-assisted “The Guardians” is a twinkling example of the ethereal atmosphere of Midlake’s latest, as harmonies perform a romantic dance set to glistening textures.
The Mommyheads – “Black Veins”
No Quietus
One of the most prolific and underappreciated indie rock acts in contemporary music adds another exhilarating entry to their colorful discography with No Quietus. The jangly LP weaves human emotions with rootsy melodies into a transportive yet earthly tracklist that balances harsh reality checks with acceptance. “Black Veins” is a twisted love song that explores codependency through a poetic lens.
Emmylou Harris – “Every Grain of Sand”
Spyboy (Live)
Spyboy, the iconic live album from alt-country icon Emmylou Harris, has been repackaged with additional songs. The original LP is here in all its glory, still crisp and memorable as it was upon its 1998 release, and the new bonus tracks only push this album further into the country music pantheon. “Every Grain of Sand” finds Harris and her band taking on the Bob Dylan classic, as the grainy nostalgia of it all brings the listener to a simpler time.
Portugal. The Man – “Tyonek”
SHISH
It is not every day that Portugal. The Man emerges with a new album, and this time around, the vulnerable nature of their latest makes it extra monumental. SHISH finds the bandleader, John Gourley, exploring his past to make sense of his present over waves of distorted chaos tuned into anthems. “Tyonek” begins as a guitar-driven, lo-fi ballad before exploding into an infectious, punchy, radio-ready experiment.
The Mynabirds – “Velveteen”
It’s Okay To Go Back If You Keep Moving Forward
Laura Burhenn’s singer/songwriter project, The Mynabirds, has been on hold since the release of 2017’s BE HERE NOW, but today, the silence is broken apart by It’s Okay To Go Back If You Keep Moving Forward. The welcoming, intimate, vulnerable, 10-song LP encapsulates all that is great about the genre Burhenn calls home, as she masters the art of balladry on highlights like “Velveteen.” The cinematic stand-out features searing strings that complement the nimble piano melodies beautifully, creating a perfect backdrop for Burhenn’s poetry. The artist has removed her music from Spotify, but you can support the new album here.
Whitney – “Small Talk”
Small Talk
On their latest album, Whitney returns to form after exploring their pop side on 2022’s SPARK. Small Talk features sugary melodies that morph into a swinging waltz as easily as they transition into soaring soulfulness, showcasing the range this duo has developed throughout their genre explorations. The title track is a moving stand-out with blissful vocals that seem at ease over the jazz-tinted instrumentation.
Danny Brown – “The Book of Daniel” (Feat. Quadeca)
Stardust
Veteran vocal acrobat and one of the most forward-thinking Hip-hop artists in the contemporary scene, Danny Brown returns with Stardust, his hyper-pop-infused latest. Brown immerses himself in the burgeoning subculture for 14 hyperactive tunes that range from catchy anthems to emotional storytelling, all while Brown proves how limitless his range truly is. Quadeeca assists on the album opener, the soulful “The Book of Daniel,” which features sleek guitars that emphasize Brown’s autobiographical songwriting.
Yukimi & Little Dragon – “Human Heart”
Yume – EP
After completely shattering expectations with the release of her jazz-pop solo debut earlier this year, Little Dragon’s Yukimi returns with a quick 4-song EP to close out a prosperous 2025. Yume further emphasizes the individuality Yukimi established on March’s For You, with an eerily beautiful, short collection. “Human Heart” is a bouncy, piano-driven ballad that appreciates the strength we all contain.
Nothing – “cannibal world”
a short history of decay
Philadelphia’s shoegaze giants, Nothing, have announced their latest LP and released its pretty yet hectic lead single. The band’s first proper full-length since 2020 is set to arrive on February 27, and “cannibal world” is our first preview of the wildly anticipated release. With an avalanche of drums and their signature, dream-like vocals, “cannibal world” both indicates a continuation of Nothing’s elaborate take on shoegaze, while showcasing the maturity that is sure to make their upcoming LP one to remember.
The Olympians – “California”
In Search of a Revival
2026 will mark a decade since the soulful orchestra, The Olympians, released an album, but it will also mark the end of that long wait. The Toby Pazner-led outfit is set to release In Search of a Revival on February 13, and the noir-style single “California” is our first preview of the long-awaited LP. The lead single is a sweeping example of this band’s control of their sound, with an innate chemistry between the players that lends to a larger-than-life portrait of pure artistry.
Gorillaz – “The God of Lying” (Feat. Idles)
The Mountain
The release of the next Gorillaz may seem a world away, with The Mountain set for March 20, but it is singles, like this most recent one, that promise to make that wait as short as possible. Along with fellow rock boundary-pushers IDLES, Gorillaz released “The God of Lying,” an atmospheric tune with gentle vocals that parade around the wonky, electronic arrangement. This marks the third single from the anticipated album, joining “The Manifesto” and “The Happy Dictator” as previews of The Mountain.
De La Soul – “The Package”
Cabin In The Sky
The name of De La Soul is enjoying a well-deserved resurgence, and the legends are taking advantage of all the eyes with a brand-new LP. Cabin In The Sky is the group’s first album since 2016, and marks the first release since the death of De La member, Dave “Trugoy” Jolicoeur in 2023. The Pete Rock-produced “The Package” is our first single before the November 21 release date, and showcases the fact that De La Soul is picking up right where they left off, delivering thought-provoking, head-spinning rhymes over soulful loops.
