Fall officially arrives on Monday, so this New Music Friday is technically our last shot of summer music.
Singles
1. Calling All Captains, A New Type of Grey (New Damage Records)
Here’s a little alt-punk-pop from a post-hardcore quartet from Edmonton. They single comes ahead of a new EP entitled The Things I’ve Lost, which is due on January 9. Feeling unheard? Give this a listen.
2. Darrian Gerard, Need Her (Independent)
Some nice alt-pop from this Canadian singer. Ever outgrow a friend and feel kinda bad about it? This is a follow-up to a previous single entitled Two Tickets, which came out earlier this year.
3. Gavin Harper, Black Cars (Independent)
More fresh indie stuff. In an example of how streaming flattens the planet, Gavin has found traction in places like Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Spain, Japan, and Ukraine. This is the latest in a string of single releases.
4. Jane’s Party, Over You (Independent)
And still more Canada. I’ve been following this Toronto band (est. in a townhouse garage in North York by four university friends) who have been plugging away hard over the last decade-and-a-half. They’ve shared stages with Arkells, Tokyo Police Club, LIGHTS, and Manic Street Preachers. They’re long overdue for a breakthrough.
Albums
1. Black Lips, Season of the Peach (Fire Records)
Our new album starts with a garage rock band from Atlanta who also likes to dip into the punk and psych space. Born in 1999, they’ve suffered tragedy (their founding guitarist was killed in an accident involving a drunk driver), the group is up to their eleventh album.
2. The Divine Comedy, Rainy Sunday Afternoon (Insanity Records/Sony Music UK)
This is the longtime project of the UK’s Neil Hannon (the only constant member of the band since its inception in 1989), he’s a cult hero at home in Ireland and in the UK. He’s been know to play every single instrument on Divine Comedy albums, too. The title of the album tells you what to expect. Some (literally) epic storytelling awaits.
3. Faithless, Champion Sound (Faithless/ADA)
Faithless, the UK-based dance/electronic act never fails to surprise me with their constant re-invention. This is their first record since lead singer-rapper Maxi Jazz died in 2022 at the age of 65. It’s their eighth alum overall and is dedicated to Maxi’s passing.
4. I Prevail, Violent Nature (Fearless/Concord)
You might remember this Michigan band from their 2014 metal cover of Taylor Swift’s Blank Space. Now four albums deep into their career, they’re going to need a new singer after original vocalist couldn’t continue because he’s suffering from a rare condition known as Eagle syndrome, which causes sharp pain in the jaw bone, the back of the throat, and the base of the tongue. The pain can be triggered by the smallest movement, even swallowing.
5. Motion City Soundtrack, The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World (Epitaph)
Coming from Minneapolis, MCS hasn’t released an album in ten years. Mind you, they split for three years starting in 2016. Touring started again in 2019, and this album–featuring some music inspired by the series Severence–marks a comeback. Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy makes a guest appearance.
6. Nine Inch Nails, TRON: Ares (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)/The Null Corporation/Interscope
I’ve saved the biggest name for last. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have scored another movie, this time (and for the first time) under the NIN banner. The record features 24 songs and runs over 70 minutes. Is this better than what Daft Punk did with their turn at the TRON franchise?
© 2025 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Ad Choices