When it comes to this September, my big obsession is with wasps. The damn things are everywhere. You can’t sit outside without them buzzing around your head, crawling over your food, and drowning in your drink. The only thing that will end this infestation is a hard frost, something that we’re probably not ready for yet. We are, however, ready for a deluge of fall releases as the recorded music industry goes hard into Q4. Here’s what New Music Friday has to offer this week.
Singles
1. Linkin Park, The Emptiness Machine (Warner)
Let’s be clear: No one will ever replace Chester Bennington in Linkin Park. But if the band wants to move on, they do need someone to help with the singing. After months of rumours and a couple of weeks of teasing, fans finally got the news yesterday (September 5). Linkin Park debuted a new song called The Emptiness Machine featuring new singer Emily Armstrong and songwriter/producer Colin Brittain on drums. This is the first new music from Linkin Park since before Chester died in 2017. And there’s more coming on November 15 with a full album entitled From Zero.
2. Chastity, Summer All Over Again (Dine Alone Records)
Chastity (otherwise known as Brandon Williams of Whitby, Ontario, obviously just won’t summer go. This is the first single from a self-titled album (his fourth overall) coming next Friday. I quote: “Summer used to feel yellow, now it feels blue, it’s like damn Winter 2. This song’s about that quiet melancholy, like when you’re outside on a perfect day, and you miss your cue to be happy.”
3. Future Island, Glimpse (4AD)
I’ve never been able to properly categorize Future Island in my head other than to say that very few bands sound like them. Their latest is a non-album single is pretty retro-y, something that The Killers might have come up with. And doesn’t Samuel Herring have a distinctive voice?
4. Badflower, Detroit (Big Machine/John Varvatos)
Badflower (est. 2013 Los Angeles) created this song backstage before a show in Detroit. The result sounds like something that might have come from a band like Phoenix. It’s been a while since the band’s debut 2019, but they’re off to a good start with this advance single from their sophomore release, This Is How the World Ends, which is due on September 24.
5. Pearl Jam, Waiting for Stevie (Monkeywrench/Republic Records/UMG)
Yet another single (the fourth) from Pearl Jam’s excellent Dark Matter. Who’s Stevie, though? A real person. I asked Jeff Ament about this. Apparently, Eddie Vedder was waiting for someone named Stevie when he came up with the lyrical idea.
6. Sum 41, Time Won’t Wait (Frontside)
For the last time, Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley is NOT joining Linkin Park as a new vocalist. He’s far too busy with his new memoir, his book tour, his band’s farewell tour, and the last Sum 41 album, Heaven X Hell, to take on anything else. This is the third single from the album.
7. The World On Loan, For What It’s Worth (Thinks-A-Lot Records)
Yep, this is a cover of the Buffalo Springfield classic. The amps are turned up to give it a whole new vibe.
8. Blink-182, No Fun (Sony)
Blink-182 keeps releasing bonus songs from their 2023 reunion album, One More Time, under the name One More Time…Part-2. This is one of eight new songs that appeared today.
Albums
1. David Gilmour, Luck and Strange (Legacy Recordings)
There will never, ever be another Pink Floyd record. And if Roger Waters’ political views have put you off his music, then we’re really left with only David Gilmour. The good news, though, is that his first solo album in nine years (and fifth overall) is excellent and he’s quite chuffed about it. Floyd fans will enjoy it. Here’s a making-of video, too.
2. Mercury Rev, Born Horses (Bella Union)
Here’s another act that’s been AWOL for nine years. Mercury Rev have been indie heroes since the late 80s. If you’re in the mood for something cinematic and orchestral, this is definitely something you need to hear this weekend. It’s very soothing. In fact, it’s a little Pink Floyd-ish. I will go so far as to say this is my favourite new album of the week.
3. The The, Ensoulment (Cinéola/earMUSIC)
Matt Johnson has not released a The The studio album of new material since 2000, so it’s about bloody time. As usual, production is immaculate and Matt’s viewpoints are sharp and focused. This is music for our weird times.
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