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It's New Music Friday and I'm loving what I'm hearing this week, from lots of different genres. Check out what I like, hope you find something to listen to this weekend!
Singles of the Week:
“Don’t Let the Devil” by Killer Mike
Killer Mike has announced his first solo album in more than a decade and the new single is out this week. One of the best out there, Killer Mike delivers a hot new track, fueled by gospel-infused music. El-P and thankyougoodsir both make appearances on the track that Killer Mike says is his most “autobiographical and independent” to date.
“Rescued” by Foo Fighters
It’s so good to hear new music from Dave Grohl and the band. Written in grief after the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins, the song and the upcoming album are brutal and honest responses to all the band has been through lately. The song is big and anthemic with deep, meaningful lyrics. Feels very In Your Honor-era. It’s great to have new music from Foo Fighters.
“Blades” by Arlo Parks
We’re about a month away from her second release and the latest single has caught my ear. A smooth, dance-pop track with enough synth and a hint of funk that gets you moving. Parks is a fantastically talented singer-songwriter and her new material builds off of the momentum of her debut album. This one is a banger.
“I Used to Be in Love” by Jake Shears
Speaking of songs that make you move - check out the latest from Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears. It’s as if Shears took 1970s disco (vocally, there’s some Bee Gees in there) and mixed it with the synth sound of Bronski Beat. The song is about abandoning your worries and finding yourself right at home in a crowd of strangers. You’ll make plenty of friends this summer when this track ends up on your party mixtape.
“Nothing Matters” by The Last Dinner Party
One of the most highly anticipated bands this year has released their new single. The London-based band has had a lot of hype following them around and built a huge following, based on live shows, but now it’s time they got into the studio. The chamber-pop song reminds me a smidge of Florence and the Machine and is catchy despite the dark lyrics. These ladies are surely one to watch out for in 2023.
“Revenge Dress” by Family Dinner
It’s time for a great “fuck you” break-up song and that’s just what you get from Long Island’s own Family Dinner. The grunge-punk song has catchy hooks throughout with some badass vocals from lead singer Natalie O’Keefe. There’s enough to like about this if you’re a fan of Veruca Salt or Paramore.
“Banshee” by Extreme
Yes, Extreme…gimme some good old hard rock! They actually released two new songs this week (the other being “#Rebel”) and while they’re both good, I’m digging the classic hard rock sound that wraps itself around “Banshee”. It’s a song that focuses on…the female form and spirit. Nuno’s guitar playing is fantastic while Gary Cherone sounds so great. They’re on tour soon with Living Colour opening so be sure to bring your ear plugs, ‘cause this one is gonna be loud!
Albums of the Week:
Variables by Alfa Mist
The UK musician (new to me) has been putting out albums weaving jazz, hip hop and soul for years. His latest continues that path of music with no boundaries. He can go from a winding jazz composition like on the opener “Foreward” to a smooth, drowsy rap track like “4th Feb (Stay Awake)”. Everything fits perfectly together on this musical journey. Well worth checking it out from start to finish.
In Between Thoughts…A New World by Rodrigo y Gabriela
The sixth studio album from the guitar virtuosos came out of studying Advaita Vedanta (a Hindu philosophy), which launched a period of creativity for the two. Their songs can go from big and powerful like the opener “True Nature” to sweeping songs (complete with an orchestra) like the magnificent “Seeking Unreality”. Need some music to take you somewhere else? The latest from RyG is it!
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