The bad news: One more normal weekend and then it’s Labour Day. The good news: We’re getting more interesting stuff for New Music Friday.
Singles
1. Bryan Adams, The Ballad of Terry Fox (Coady./Platoon/Bad Records)
I believe that Terry Fox was not only a hero but also the greatest athlete in Canadian history because of his guts, courage, and physical grit displayed during the Marathon of Hope. Put him on our money, already. This song from Canadian patriot Bryan Adams will appear in Run Terry Run, a documentary that will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
2. Criminal Hero, Don’t You Wanna Go (Independent)
Indie rock born in Toronto, hammered into shape in Detroit, and now based in Vancouver. The key person is songwriter and guitarist Rick Harkness. SPIN calls this record, Walk Through the Fire, “a refreshing blast of pure Detroit-powered punk rock from Canada in the spirit of The Stooges and the MC5.” That got my attention.
3. Featurette, Castles (Division 11)
Looking for a little upbeat shoegaze? Toronto’s Featurette has you covered. Fun fact: This video was shot during a heatwave when temperatures hit 39C, not counting the humidity. The things you will do for your art. The band recently had a good run through the UK, so here’s hoping they can keep up the momentum.
4. Queens of the Stone Age, Easy Street (Matador)
The first couple of songs from the upcoming QotSA album have been on the mellow side. The latest has been called “a starry-eyed psych track” that “embraces imperfection rather than polish.” Perfecth (yes, that’s spelled correctly) will be available on October 30. Anticipation is running pretty high. Google around for some of the fun videos Josh Homme has put out over the last couple of weeks.
5. Amy Winehouse, Tears Dry – Alternative Demo (Island Records)
It’s been twenty years since Amy released the awesome Back to Black album, so that means it’s time for a special reissue. Among the extras is a never-before-released stripped-down version of Tears Dry On Their Own. The reissue will appear October 23 (four days short of its 20th anniversary) and will feature many more demos, rare B-sides, as well as a live performance captured in Amsterdam.
Albums
1. Mike D, Thank You (Capitol)
One of the two remaining Beastie Boys has broken his silence with his first-ever solo album. It was made with help from his sons Skyler and Davis who reported pushed Dad into new areas and to try new things. His backing band, 5D, features musicians his kids met on the LA music scene. A tour stars Sunday in Boston.
2. Dinosaur Jr., There Near (Jagjaguwar)
J Mascis has been leading Dino Jr. since 1984. This is the band’s 13th album and first since 2021. Expect more slacker rock with great hooks from J, Murph, and Lou Barlow on songs that were recording largely in J’s basement. This will take you back to the 90s.
3. Everlast, Embers to Ashes (Martyrs Inc/Thirty Tigers)
It’s been a minute since the House of Pain man released a new record. Eight years, in fact. What we’ve got are 17 tracks of American roots rock made in Nashville filtered through his perspective and experience. That includes a divorce, the pandemic, and losing his house in the LA wildfires of 2018.
4. Interpol, This Mirror Weighs a Ton (Partisan)
The sharp-dressed members of Interpol have delivered a sharply good eighth album. It’s elegant (as you would expect) but things aren’t all that rosy lyric-wise (as you’d also expect). They remain one of the best examples of the NYC indie-rock revival of the early 00’s. Intersting stat: Half of the band’s 2.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify are under the age of 35. Their sense of doom resonates across generations.
5. The Linda Lindas, GOTTA GET OUT (Reprise)
The LA moppets (no one in the band legally allowed to buy alcohol yet) are already up to their third album, this one produced by the father of two of the bandmembers. Hayley Mills of Paramore is such a fan that she makes a guest appearance on the record. This single rocks really hard in a doomy way. It’s also very political. The kids are alright.
6. Mastodon, Marrow Deep (Loma Vista/Concord)
If you liked that Linda Lindas track, you’ll enjoy this slab of progressive sludge from the Atlanta masters of the genre. This is their ninth album and their first since the death of former guitarist Brent Hinds that horrible 2025 motorcycle accident. In fact, they started recording the album just a week after he died. Rolling Stones says this album may be there Shine on You Crazy Diamond, which is high praise indeed.
7. The Warning, Everything’s Falling (Lava/Republic)
Here are three sisters from Monterrey, Mexico, who rock really, really hard. The Villarreal Vélez women are up to their fifth album of alt-rock/alt-metal and have a worldwide fanbase ready to eat it up. As with The Linda Lindas, the future of rock is safe in the hands of women.
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