It is always hard to believe how quickly these New Music Fridays creep up on us, but this is the type of week music fanatics dream of. This week’s Caustic is a sprawling one, with wildly exciting returns sitting next to artistic feats of immersive experimentation and conventional bliss. From soul that soars over mountaintops to gritty punk that emerges from the sewers with a rugged presence, we have an incredibly fun list of albums and singles to dive through. Whether you’re avoiding major storms or frolicking through the first moments of Autumn, a proper soundtrack is a must. We hope you enjoy digging through these songs as much as we did compiling them.
Check out Glide’s picks for the week’s best new music, and be sure to follow our Caustic Spotify playlist to stay updated on the latest releases.
Robert Finley – “Can’t Take My Joy”
Hallelujah! Don’t Let The Devil Fool Ya
Modern Blues icon Robert Finley returns with his latest Dan Auerbach-produced slice of soul-rock bliss with the sprawling Hallelujah! Don’t Let The Devil Fool Ya. The eight-song LP finds Finley and Auerbach leaning to a more experimental side, opting for psychedelic undertones to help elevate the gospel-inspired vocals. “Can’t Take My Joy” brings with it a warmth that radiates from the groovy drum patterns, as they sway with the rasp of Finley’s vocals.
The Antlers – “Deactivate”
Blight
Bedroom folk heroes turned ambient pop icons, The Antlers have learned to take their time with their releases, and their latest is no exception. Blight marks the first album from the band since 2021, and the subtly poetic and beautifully ambient 9-song album showcases yet another sonic shift for The Antlers. “Deactivate” is the band’s take on modern balladry, with lush electronics creating a mesmerizing atmosphere and the vocals delivering raw storytelling.
Princess Nokia – “Medusa”
Girls
Whether she’s crafting infectious melodies over pulsating dance beats or piecing together head-spinning rhyme schemes over gritty electronic Hip-hop, Princess Nokia proves to be a singular force of nature on Girls. The modern borderless star put together a defining LP that shows off the ever-growing range of the artist, while simultaneously penning some of the most vulnerable moments of her career. “Medusa” is a vicious highlight from an unforgettable listen, with Nokia’s sleek vocals delivering hypnotic, violent wordplay.
Black Eyes – “Under the Waves”
Hostile Design
Legendary, formless post-punk band Black Eyes are back for the first time in over twenty years, and their return project picks up right where they left off in 2004. Hostile Design is a wildly fun yet intensely dark listen that takes you through art-punk tendencies stretched to fit prog-rock structures. “Under the Waves” is an ever-evolving highlight that finds the band pairing jovial vocal melodies with eerie experimentation.
Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble – “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But Time”
Groove In The Face of Adversity
Current president of Blue Note Records and historic renaissance man, Don Was, is here with a beautifully bold, jazzy creation of his own. Along with The Pan-Detroit Ensemble, Groove In The Face of Adversity is a stunningly immersive collection of soulful jazz, with each song offering a universe of fresh perspectives and smooth melodies. “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But Time” stands proudly above the rest, with a heartfelt vocal performance that emphasizes the subtle yet shining grooves of this phenomenal jazz release.
Guitar – “The Game Has Changed”
We’re Headed To The Lake
On their third album, Portland’s latest indie rock offering, Guitar, comes into its own as shoegaze masterminds unafraid to experiment with the limits of their own creativity. We’re Headed To The Lake is a masterclass in toeing the line between risky sonic moves and warm familiarity, as frontperson Saia Kuli blends welcoming melodies with dense distortion and subtle syncopation. “The Game Has Changed” begins as a nimble guitar waltz, only to explode into a ferocious, fuzzed-out anthem with throat-burning vocals.
St. Paul & The Broken Bones – “Seagulls”
St. Paul & The Broken Bones
The self-titled album from retro-soul-tinted, rock-infused outfit St. Paul & the Broken Bones arrives over a decade into their storied career, and not a minute too soon. The tight 10-song outing is a blast of nostalgic energy painted with the band’s signature poetry, adding another stellar release to an illustrious discography. “Seagulls” features subdued grooves that slow dance with the vocals in a beautiful flourish of relaxing soul.
The Autumn Defense – “Underneath The Rollers”
Here and Nowhere
The duo of Wilco’s John Stirratt and Pat Sansone return as The Autumn Defense for the first time in ten years. Here and Nowhere is a cinematic, 11-song LP brimming with imaginative folk that transports you to an ethereal mindstate that lies dormant in all of us. “Underneath The Rollers” comes in like a rush of memories being triggered by a familiar sight or smell, with welcoming vocals cascading over cloud-like instrumentation.
Madi Diaz – “Time Difference”
Fatal Optimist
The latest addition to Madi Diaz’s discography is an intimate, acoustic outing that finds the artist at her most vulnerable. With gentle arrangements and heartbreaking songwriting, Fatal Optimist arrives with fresh wounds that bleed out unfiltered emotions over twinkling keys and downtrodden guitars. “Time Difference” is a pop-tinted ballad with an ambiance that pushes the feelings explored in the lyrics directly into your chest, making every moment of the performance palpable.
Gorillaz – “The Manifesto” (Feat. Trueno and Proof)
The Mountain
While the new album from Gorillaz feels a world away, the band seems ready to keep fans satisfied until further notice. The latest LP from the genreless outfit, The Mountain, is set to arrive on March 20, and the warping and twisted “The Manifesto” is our latest preview of the anticipated album. Along with late rapper Proof and Trueno, “The Manifesto” begins as a lighthearted breeze, only to transition into an electronic grit that fits Proof’s vocals perfectly.
Joyce Manor – “Well, Whatever It Was”
I Used to Go to This Bar
One of the most memorable and endearing power-pop rock outfits in recent years is back with a stellar single and news of a new album. Joyce Manor is set to release I Used to Go to This Bar on January 30, and “Well, Whatever It Was” joins the news of their new album. The punchy anthem balances artistic growth and a singular sound in a fiery burst of sugary melodies.
Danger Mouse & Black Thought – “Up” (Feat. Rag’n’Bone Man)
Single
After teaming up for the unforgettable album Cheat Codes in 2022 and striking gold for the second time with 2023’s Glorious Game, super producer Danger Mouse and Hip-hop powerhouse Black Thought return with a fresh single. “Up” is an anthem that begs for a revolution, as Thought ponders today’s trappings over jangly drums, with Rag’n’Bone Man tying everything together with a soulful chorus.
The Format – “Holy Roller”
Boycott Heaven
Indie pop duo The Format rise from the depths of the genre for their first LP in a decade. Boycott Heaven arrives in all its glory on January 23, breaking ten years of silence from one of the more forward-thinking bands pop has seen in years. “Holy Roller” is our anthemic lead single, featuring dramatic swells that burst out of the speakers and land directly in your ear, washing the listener in powerful vocals.
Haim & Bon Iver – “Tie you down”
I quit (Deluxe)
Haim aims to maintain the momentum from their new album with the announcement of a deluxe edition, and a hauntingly beautiful single arrives to make the news even more exhilarating. I quit (Deluxe) is set to arrive on October 17, and the Bon Iver-assisted “Tie you down” is the single from the anticipated release. Iver and the sister trio croon over subtle twang, as their prowess combines for an unwavering ballad.
YUNGMORPHEUS & Dirty Art Club – “Way The Rose Wilt”
A Spyglass To One’s Face
Prolific rapper YUNGMORPHEUS returns with his first project of 2025, and he’s teaming up with fellow young Hip-hop pioneer, producer Dirty Art Club. The collaborative effort, A Spyglass To One’s Face, is set to arrive on October 24, and the psychedelia-infused “Way The Rose Wilt” is our first preview of the project. Over melting synths, YUNGMORPHEUS delivers heady rhyme schemes with a relaxed gusto.
