The last few New Music Fridays have reflected the mid-summer lull in new albums and heavier with singles setting up albums in the fall. This week is just the opposite.
Singles
1. Absolute Losers, At the Same Time (Having Fun Records)
Quick: How many alt-rock bands can you name from Charlottetown, PEI? Here’s one: Absolute Losers, a trio featuring brothers Sam and Josh Langille and their buddy Daniel Hartinger. Their first attention came with a self-recorded 2023 debut album entitled At the Mall, which did well at Canadian campus radio. They also picked up the Music PEI Awards for “New Artist of the Year” in 2024. A second album, In the Crowd, will take things a little further.
2. Florence + The Machine, Everybody Scream (Polydor Records/Republic Records)
Florence Welch has signaled she’s ready to return after a three-year absence with her sixth album, Everybody Scream (due October 31). This first single was preceded by a few social media teasers including one where Florence in a red dress, digs a hole and then starts screaming into it. Got it. I think.
3. Sleep Token, Caramel (Sleep Token/RCA Records)
What’s with the rise of anonymous metal bands theses days? Ghost is filling arenas. People are guessing at the identities of Presidents. And there’s also Sleep Token, the English group which also wears masks. This is another single from their fourth album, Even in Arcadia. It was originally issued back in radio, but marketing people have decided it needs a new push. Let’s see what happens this time.
Albums
1. Deftones, Private Music (Reprise)
Given the state of the world right now, a loud, angry Deftones album is what we all need. Their tenth album is heavy, dangerous-sounding, and very, very Deftones. The group, already highly respected from their body of work, will strengthen their band with fans. The LA Times now calls them “Gen Z’s favourite heavy rock band.”
2. Kathleen Edwards, Billionaire (Dualtone)
If you’ve ever seen Kathleen in concert, she’s super-engaging and fun, and occasionally a little profane (in a cool way, of course). She’s been AWOL for five years (her last album came out in the middle of COVID) with only sporadic live performances, so it’s good to see here back. Pay close attention to the instrumentation. She assembled a crack band for this one.
3. The Planet Smashers, On the Dancefloor (Stomp)
Who’s up for some Montreal ska? The Planet Smashers (est. 1993) have never taken a break, although there have been a dozen lineup changes over the decades. They’re now up to 10 albums, and this is their first release since Too Much Information in 2019. Pack up the Bluetooth speaker and play this one at the skate park.
4. Radiohead, Hail to the Thief (Live Recordings 2003-2009) (XL Recordings)
A new Radiohead album? No, but this is a fine collection of live recordings (their second live album) is a deep meditation on the band’s sixth album, which marked a big transition in the band’s sound from OK Computer, Kid A, and Amnesiac to what they’ve become since. It proves that in addition to being wizards in the studio, Radiohead and reproduce that music onstage.
5. Royel Otis, Hickey (Ourness/Capitol)
I’ve been impressed by the three advance singles from Royel Otis’ second album. Impressive, given that the second album can often be the hardest to write and record. The Australian duo (Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic) has a great knack for melody. This one demands some concentrated listening.
6. Superchunk, Songs in the Key of Yikes (JYP Entertainment/Republic)
Remember back in the 90s when Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was threatening to become the next hot city? Groups like Superchunk were part of that hype, thanks to their, well, chunky post-grunge sound and their DIY spirit. (Hey, two members founded Merge Records, home of everyone from Arcade Fire and Caribou to F-ed Up and Sugar. This is their 13th album and first since Wild Loneliness in 2022.
7. Three Days Grace, Alienation (RCA)
Canada’s 3DG is now up to eight albums, but this one is special. Original singer and co-founder Adam Gonthier is back with the band after 11 years away, sharing frontman duties with his replacement, Matt Wilst. The group is now a quintet, which gives them extra power.
8. Wolf Alice, The Clearing (RCA)
Wolf Alice already has quite the resume after just three albums, including Brit Awards and a Mercury Music prize. The fourth album marks a change in sonic attitudes–they’re more grown-up now–but don’t let that scare you away. Early reviews are ecstatic with a number of 5/5 ratings. Another record that will require a serious listen this weekend.
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