New Music Friday (now on Saturday) - 7/12/2024

It’s New Music Friday (now on Saturday) and there’s hot tracks from artists like The Collection, Lawrence, Lucky Daye, Redd Kross, Marc Scibilia, Maggie Rose and so much more. It’s another jumbo-sized edition, so let’s get to it!

Singles:

The Collection - “Over You”

As many of you know, I’ve sung the praises of The Collection for a while now. They continue to release fantastic songs off of their upcoming album. I’m also lucky that I grabbed tickets to their upcoming show at Jammin’ Java in September. The new song is a beautiful piano driven track about being lonely, being without someone and breaking up without wanting to. The wall of sound that comes in after the chorus gives me goosebumps.

Bartees Strange - “Lie 95”

Strange has been busy since releasing his 2022 album with other projects, but returns with his latest single. A song about searching for love across the 95 corridor. Sliding between rock and 80s R&B, it’s got a cool groove that Strange pulls off so well.

Michael Kiwanuka - “Floating Parade”

A beautiful track from Kiwanuka, who worked with the fantastic Danger Mouse on the song - his first new music since 2021. The backing strings and general groove of the song gives it a real 70s vibe with Kiwanuka’s calming voice floating above it all. 

Ben Rector - “Wreck”

I’ve been a huge fan of Rector’s music for years. He’s great at combining nostalgia with up-tempo pop songs and beautiful ballads - and that’s where his latest falls. A simple, stripped down, sentimental love song with Rector’s voice leading the way with enough piano and drums to back him up.

Marc Scibilia - “More To This”

“Summer Clothes” by Scibilia is still a song that I go to years after its release. He’s a chameleon of an artist who famously loops music on his social media, mashing up cover songs along with his own tracks. His latest is a gorgeous acoustic song answering his daughter’s question about death. 

Albums:

Sturgill Simpson as Johnny Blue Skies - Passage Du Desir

Simpson once claimed that he’d never release more than five albums under the name Sturgill Simpson. He’s kept his promise with his latest album, a fantastic blend of country and rock. Simpson is a fantastic storyteller and the new album is filled with vivid, warm tracks that make for a perfect hazy, lazy evening listen. Highlights include “Right Kind of Dream” and “If The Sun Never Rises Again”.

Remi Wolf - Big Ideas

On her second album, pop singer Remi Wolf drifts between radio-friendly bops and sweet, sultry tracks. There’s a lot to like here and while Wolf isn’t breaking too much new ground, she’s created a good summer album that could hang out with Dua Lipa and other contemporaries. Highlights include “Toro” and “Motorcycle”.

Clairo - Charm

I’ve liked Clairo for a while now (her 2019 album Immunity was one of the best of the year) and her latest has stepped slightly away from her lo-fi bedroom pop to a breezier, 70s sounding album. Her voice is as sweet as peaches in the summertime with smart lyrics and it just feels like a strong step in her musical journey. Highlights include “Slow Dance” and “Add Up My Love”.

Phish - Evolve

I’ll be honest - I’ve never gotten into Phish but listening to their latest album, I can get the appeal. They’re a band that’s been together forever and clearly are comfortable working with each other and off of each other. The album was recorded in four days in their farmhouse studio. It’s full of jams that continue to toe the line between rock and free-form jazz. Highlights include “Hey Stranger” and “A Wave of Hope”.

Common & Pete Rock - The Auditorium Vol. 1

Chicago and New York come together in one hell of a hot collab. Between the slick and sick wordplay from the rappers along with some fantastic old school stylistic elements will have you going back in time. Highlights include “Stellar” and “When the Sun Shines Again”.

Travis - L.A. Times

Scottish band Travis are now 12 albums into their career and continue to write smart, catchy songs. There’s less mope than their early albums and the music falls in between sweet acoustic and rousing guitar play with a few hints of pub rock. Highlights include “Gaslight” and “Raze the Bar”. 

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - South of Here

There are two Nathaniel Rateliffs - The raucous, soulful rocker and the introspective solo artist. The best of both worlds comes together for their latest album. I lean towards liking the solo stuff more as I get older. Relatable songs and lyrics drift throughout the album and there’s plenty of emotion to digest here. Highlights include “Heartless” and “Get Used to the Night”. 

Lucky Daye - Algorithm

I’ve admired Daye’s work in the last few years, but his latest is maybe my favorite, leaning towards a live band sound full of classic soul and futuristic R&B tunes. I hope this one breaks Daye through to mainstream music so more people can appreciate his outstanding work. Highlights include “Soft” and “Blame” (featuring Teddy Swims). 

Aaron Frazer - Into the Blue

If you’re familiar with Durand Jones & The Indicators, then you’re probably familiar with their drummer, Aaron Frazer. His solo work is classic soul music from the 1970s (mixed with just the right amount of modern blue-eyed soul). The album was inspired by a break-up but still finds the space to celebrate love and new relationships. Highlights include “Payback” and “Easy to Love”. 

Lawrence - Family Business

Thanks to my friend Dave Festini for pointing me in the direction of Lawrence. Gracie and Clyde Lawrence (and their 8-piece band) kill it on their latest album with pitch-perfect pop-soul music with enough energy to even get me movin’ and groovin’. Highlights include “Whatcha Want” and the ridiculously cool “Hip Replacement”. 

Redd Kross - Redd Kross

The power-pop-punk band led by the eternally youthful McDonald brothers have boldly released a double album full of crunchy guitars, weird references and kookiness and plenty of sweet harmonies. Double albums aren’t always the best ideas and there are some songs here that serve more as transition songs, but it’s great to have such a sweet band back with new music. Highlights include “I’ll Take Your Word For It” and “Stuff”.

Zach Bryan - The Great American Bar Scene

He’s slowly become one of our great songwriters in America, so you’d think I wouldn’t criticize too much, but here goes. A lot of his music sounds very similar in style and substance. That’s not to say he hasn’t found great success in what he does - he certainly has. And I really dig his voice and emotion. But like Taylor Swift this year, maybe it’s time to work with someone who can expand your sound a bit. Still some great tracks with mind-blowing guest spots from Springsteen and John Mayer. Highlights include “Memphis; The Blues” and “Pink Skies”.

Macseal - Permanent Repeat

The Long Island band has toed the line between emo and power-pop over the years and their new album keeps that momentum going. Full of catchy-ass tunes with warmth that harkens back to us who loved the 90s alternative scene. Highlights include “Four Legs” and “Your Door”.

Maggie Rose - No One Gets Out Alive

The Nashville-based singer/songwriter is working with some of Jason Isbell’s band and the results are fantastic. It’s a reflective album looking at the finite amount of time in life. Her smokey vocals blend well with the folk-pop-soul music that runs throughout the album. Highlights include “Fake Flowers” and “Too Young”.