Here are some of the highlights, and one notable low-light, from the past month of new music releases.
Five Raves – Albums
sensitive to the room, sensitive to the sound (Presley Regier)
I’m always on the lookout for up and coming breakout male popstars because we really are in an unprecedented slump on that front. This album suggests that should he wish to be, Presley Regier could be ready to step into that void. There’s an effervescence to this project (which I understand is a combination of two EPs) that was missing to his previous efforts. Early favourites for me are “Why Am I Here,” “Shuteye,” and “My Vice Is Misery.”
Nature’s Pill (Wishy)
I fully admit to not having heard of Indianapolis-based rock band Wishy until this their second album was released on October 2. But I’m thrilled this album crossed my path, and even happier that it’s getting quite a bit of critical buzz and acclaim. It’s good, fun, romantic, indie rock reminiscent of the genre’s heyday without feeling derivative or stale.
Dopamine Chamber (Fontaines D.C.)
Fontaines D.C. aren’t exactly new, but their 2024 album broke them out as darlings of cool music fans. To my mind, this new album pushes them out even further, matching indie rock vibes with pop hooks. Early favourites from the album for me are “Marianna,” “Mimesis,” “One Man,” and the Rosalía collab “Worry About Me.”
The Girl of Your Dreams (Ashe)
Ashe properly came on my radio last September with the release of her project with Finneas, The Favors, whose debut album The Dream was a surprise hit for me. So I was intrigued to see what this album would be like. And I loved it! It blends retro pop production with very contemporary lyrics and I’ll definitely be returning to it.
Muse (John Legend, ft. Pharrell Williams)
Music is probably the medium where the contrast between quality and cool is the most stark. Readers will still happily read the latest novel by an aging genius, but musical artists struggle to keep an audience after the age of 30. Here we have a high-quality, inventive collaboration between two of the most successful people in the music industry. But I have no idea if it will find an audience. But rest assured this is very very good, feeling fresh while drawing in the sounds of historical Black music. Upon first listen, the standout tracks are “Fireflies,” “Doing Me,” and “Under the Bridge.”
Five Raves – Songs
- “Lovesick” (Wishy)
- “82 Chevy” (Dasha): This country-pop song doesn’t reinvent the wheel in any way, but it’s a lot of fun.
- “Blood Brothers” (Bleachers)
- “Uh Huh” (Fenne Lily)
- “My Vice Is Misery” (Presley Regier)
And One Disappointment
Crisco (Miranda Lambert)
This is less a question of an album being bad than just being bland. Miranda Lambert used to be one of the most creative and innovative people working in country music and this just felt a bit phoned in.
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