The big releases you need to hear from the week ahead.
CHARLY BLISS – FOREVER
In an era where distance has become the norm, Charly Bliss’s ‘FOREVER’ arrives as a curious artefact of connection. The New York quartet’s third album, birthed across continents and time zones, serves as a testament to the band’s resilience and the evolving nature of creative collaboration.
Eva Hendricks and company have traded the frenetic energy of their earlier work for something more considered. It’s as if the band, faced with physical separation, has drawn closer emotionally, resulting in a sound that’s both expansive and intimate. The power-pop foundations remain, but they’re now adorned with the patina of experience and introspection.
Producers Jake Luppen and Caleb Wright have captured this evolution admirably, providing a sonic backdrop that’s as comfortable with vulnerability as it is with exuberance. It’s a delicate balancing act, much like trying to maintain long-distance relationships in a world of dodgy wi-fi and conflicting schedules.
‘FOREVER’ stands as a time capsule of sorts, encapsulating the bittersweet reality of growing up and apart, only to find oneself again through music. In doing so, Charly Bliss has crafted an album that feels both timely and timeless.
EADES – FIGHT OR FLIGHT
Eades are serving up anxiety and nostalgia in equal measure with their ‘Fight or Flight’ EP. With a DIY ethos that would make your crafty aunt proud, Eades have created a sound that’s raw, unpolished, and unapologetically honest. Frontman Harry Jordan’s lyrics read like a group therapy session set to music, tackling everything from mental health to pre-pandemic nostalgia.
Whether you’re a fan of indie rock or just someone who enjoys a good existential crisis set to a catchy beat, ‘Fight or Flight’ offers a sonic journey through the ups and downs of modern life.
HORSE JUMPER OF LOVE – DISASTER TRICK
Horse Jumper of Love’s ‘Disaster Trick’ is an album that’s both intensely personal and surprisingly universal. With collaborators like Karly Hartzman and MJ Lenderman adding their magic to the mix, ‘Disaster Trick’ is a slow-burning masterclass in tension and release. It’s the kind of album that rewards patience, a meditative journey through the human experience.
YOURS TRULY – TOXIC
Yours Truly are here to remind you that growing up doesn’t mean growing boring. ‘TOXIC’ is pop-punk for adults, tackling themes like emotional turmoil and mental health with the energy of a triple espresso shot. Vocalist Mikaila Delgado delivers lyrics that feel like late-night confessions, while the band provides a soundtrack that could power a small city. Producer Stevie Knight has captured their live wire energy, creating an album that feels both polished and raw, like a freshly scrubbed potato. Whether you’re still clinging to your Warped Tour memories or just in need of a cathartic scream-along, ‘TOXIC’ offers a grown-up take on the genre that birthed a thousand LiveJournal posts.
FOSTER THE PEOPLE – PARADISE STATE OF MIND
Foster the People have gone full disco with ‘Paradise State of Mind’, creating an album that sounds like it was beamed straight from the 1970s. Mark Foster and Isom Innis have crafted a sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh, while lyrically, the album explores the idea of music as escape. For anyone who’s ever wished they could trade their smartphone for a pair of platform shoes, ‘Paradise State of Mind’ offers a glittery escape into a rose-tinted past.
HAMISH HAWK – A FIRMER HAND
Hamish Hawk’s ‘A Firmer Hand’ is the musical equivalent of ripping off a band-aid – it’s direct, a bit painful, but ultimately cathartic, powered by a stark honesty that’s as refreshing as it is uncomfortable. Hawk’s vocals take centre stage, delivering lyrics that cut through artifice with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel. For fans of brutally frank songwriting, ‘A Firmer Hand’ offers a starkly beautiful journey into the human psyche.
MAUDE LATOUR – SUGAR WATER
Maude Latour’s ‘Sugar Water’ is a fizzy, effervescent exploration of what it means to be young and confused in the 21st century. Latour’s lyrics navigate the turbulent waters of self-discovery with the enthusiasm of someone who hasn’t yet had their spirit crushed by tax returns. The pristine pop production provides a deceptively bright backdrop for songs that aren’t afraid to dive into the deep end of the emotional pool. Whether you’re actually young or just young at heart, ‘Sugar Water’ offers a sparkling, introspective journey through the highs and lows of finding yourself.
POST MALONE – F-1 TRILLION
Post Malone goes country with ‘F-1 Trillion’, collaborating with stalwarts like Morgan Wallen and Dolly Parton. It’s an album that’s part face-tattooed rap star, part down-home country crooner. The result is a curious hybrid that comes together like a well-mixed whiskey sour. Malone’s trademark introspection is still present, just dressed up in cowboy boots and a Stetson.
TINASHE – QUANTUM BABY
Tinashe’s ‘Quantum Baby’ is a sleek, streamlined vision of R&B from the future, clocking in at a brisk 22 minutes. The production is crisp and forward-thinking, with synths that sound like they were designed by NASA. Tinashe’s vocals weave through these futuristic landscapes with fluid grace, exploring themes that feel both personal and universal. A bite-sized glimpse into what comes next.
WISHY – TRIPLE SEVEN
Wishy’s ‘Triple Seven’ is a love letter to 90s alternative rock. Kevin Krauter and Nina Pitchkites trade vocal duties like they’re passing a hot potato, creating a dynamic push and pull throughout the album that captures their live energy while adding just enough polish to make the record pop. For anyone who’s ever wanted to time travel but can only afford a guitar pedal, ‘Triple Seven’ offers a fresh take on the sounds that defined a generation.
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