highlighting new music by lots of hands, Sharon Van Etten, Mac Miller, & MORE

An overwhelming amount of music is released daily, and we're here to help you weed through it all. Every week, we share select releases we are all looking forward to and personalized picks from a few of our editors.
Welcome to our new releases guide featuring the most notable music released the week of January 17.
Atticus' Picks
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory - "Trouble"
Dream Pop, Indie Rock
via Jagjaguwar
Singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten and her band The Attachment Theory are writing, recording, and producing together for the first time on their upcoming self-titled album, releasing via Jagjaguwar. As the third and possibly final single for the ten-track project, “Trouble” is an ethereal call for committed love that has me more interested in Etten’s work than ever.
Starting with a strong bassline, the track quickly establishes a light, airy atmosphere of synth pads and soft electric guitar picking. The real hook comes after the vocal chorus, when the slightly-retro synth strings hold out notes as Etten earnestly declares “I don’t wanna lose you.”
Overall, the song demonstrates a captivating blend of indie folk songwriting with detailed sound design and synth-heavy production that succeeds tremendously at building emotion. Tune in to Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory on February 7 to see what else the group brings to the table.
Grant Pavol - College (EP)
Indie Folk, Singer-Songwriter
via Accidental Popstar Records
Florist - "Have Heaven"
Singer-Songwriter, Indie Folk
via Double Double Whammy
MIKE - "Bear Trap"
Abstract Hip-Hop, Drumless
via 10k
Dominick's Picks
Mac Miller - Balloonerism
Abstract Hip-Hop
via Warner Records
Balloonerism is the second posthumous release from Mac Miller, following Circles in 2020. Whereas Circles was in progress at the time of Miller’s death and then completed by Jon Brion, Balloonerism takes listeners back years before his passing.
Balloonerism was recorded in 2014, a time where Miller’s output felt virtually unmatched. Splitting his time between a number of projects that ultimately took precedent, we saw the releases of Watching Movies with the Sound Off, Delusional Thomas, Faces, GO:OD AM, and more between the years of 2013 and 2015.
The 14-track album is mostly a solo endeavor—both on the production front and in that the only feature comes from SZA on track 2, “DJ’s Chord Organ.” Aesthetically and sonically, Balloonerism shares a lot of similarities to Faces. Themes of self-doubt, existentialism, and the looming cloud of death feel particularly potent here.
And yes, it made me cry.
Balloonerism is out now via Warner Records. A short film based on the album—directed by Samuel Jerome Mason—was also released and can be watched here.
Liaam - Dancing With My Clothes On (EP)
Dance-Punk, Egg Punk
Self-Released
Dancing With My Clothes On is the scrappy and rambunctious debut EP from Cincinnati-based musician Liam Shaw. The four-track project was recorded and mixed by Choncy bandmate Nathan McVeigh. Sharp, eccentric new wave swaddled in egg punk aesthetics for nine minutes of great weird punk.
Delivery - Force Majeure
Post-Punk, Indie Rock | via Heavenly Recordings / Play It Again Sam Records
Force Majeure is the second album from Melbourne post-punk band Delivery. Check out the video for lead single “Operating At A Loss” here.
Molbo - Molbo
Hardcore Punk, Egg Punk | via Erste Theke Tontraeger
Raw and explosive punk from Norway’s Molbo on their debut LP. Don’t need to understand Norwegian to know this rips. But, I do feel it’s worth pointing out the first track, “Spøkelse med gitar skremmer nonne,” translates (roughly and according to Google) to “Ghost with guitar scares nun.”
Power Pants - PP7
Egg Punk, Garage Punk | Self-Released
PP7 is the latest of many projects released by Virginia’s top purveyor of alien-punk, POWER PANTS.
Prism Shores - Out From Underneath
Jangle Pop, Indie Rock | via Meritorio Records
Out From Underneath is the second album from the Montreal jangle pop band Prism Shores. Check out the video for lead single “Holding Pattern” here.
Friends In Real Life - "Buckeye"
Folk Punk, Power Pop
via Low Capacity Music
HE’S BACK! Patrick Schneeweis, better known as Pat the Bunny—or Wingnut Dishwashers Union, or frontman of Ramshackle Glory, Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains, and so on—is making music once again.
Alongside his brother, Michael, and their father, Charlie, Friends In Real Life is a new trio led by the previously-retired folk-punk veteran. “Buckeye” is the first offering from Friends In Real Life and comes about nine years after Pat the Bunny announced his retirement in 2016.
“Buckeye” has the same janky feel that folk punks will appreciate, but it also feels decidedly more optimistic than you would expect. It’s nice.
Friends in Real Life’s self-titled debut album is out on February 21.
Kills Birds - "Madison"
Indie Rock, Post-Grunge
via Lucky Number Music
In November, Kills Birds shared a bruising single titled “Behind.” This week, the Los Angeles band pave the way for their new EP on the more melodramatic—but equally punishing—offering of “Madison.”
About the new single, the band explains:
“The inspiration for Madison came during a North American tour with Sleigh Bells. While playing San Francisco, a storm trapped us in an underground Airbnb with no power. As the rain poured down, we began sketching out the melodies and chords. The gloomy weather and being in a basement felt deeply nostalgic, evoking memories of Nina and Jacob’s Midwest upbringing.
That sense of nostalgia infused the song. Lyrically, it explores themes of adolescence on the edge of adulthood, it highlights a pivotal moment in Nina’s childhood when a tragic event fractured her sense of safety and comfort. As we expanded and deepened the arrangement as a band, it became clear that the song would be sort of the centerpiece of our upcoming EP.”
Crave is Kills Birds’ label debut for Lucky Number Music and the band’s first release since their 2021 sophomore album, Married. Crave is out on April 11 via Lucky Number Music Limited.
Moreish Idols - "Dream Pixel"
Art Rock, Post-Punk
via Speedy Wunderground / Play It Again Sam Records
London five-piece Moreish Idols announce their debut album alongside the bendy, psych-tinged, and almost jam-like lead single “Dream Pixel.”
Speaking on the single, the band says, “‘Dream Pixel’ is about what we all see in our dreams; the colours, sounds and occurrences that are often too surreal to put into words and leave you questioning how the subconscious can paint such a vivid, psychedelic picture. Inspired by the experience of swimming in phosphorescence in Cornwall, ‘Dream Pixel’ celebrates the moments in life that could easily be mistaken for a dream, glitch or trip.”
Aided by producer and Speedy Wunderground co-founder Dan Carey, the band has continued to expand and evolve their sound within a London post-punk/avant garde scene bursting with talent. Moreish Idols' debut album follows up two previous EPs, Float (2022) and Lock Eyes and Collide (2023), and will feature previous singles “Pale Blue Dot” and “Slouch.” All In The Game is out March 7 via Speedy Wunderground and Play It Again Sam Records.
Porridge Radio - "Don't Want To Dance"
Art Rock, Indie Pop
via Secretly Canadian
It’s the end of Porridge Radio. The news was announced alongside “Don’t Want To Dance,” the lead single from the band’s final EP. The upcoming project, titled Machine Starts To Sing, is out next month.
Last year they shared a beautiful record with Clouds In the Sky They Will Always Be There For Me. The four songs featured on Machine Starts To Sing are taken from the same recording sessions.
Band leader Dana Margolin shared the following:
“This is the last new music from Porridge Radio and marks the end of the band. The songs on this EP are an important part of Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me, and mean a lot to us. We are excited for you to hear them. This band has been our life, we’re family now. These tours will be our last. Thanks so much for listening.”
Porridge Radio will wrap up touring in the US about two weeks before its release and play their final shows throughout Europe in the following months. Machine Starts To Sing is out February 21 via Secretly Canadian.
Terraplana - "charlie"
Noise Pop, Shoegaze
via Balaclava Records
Terraplana are a four-piece from Curitiba, Brazil who make lush, dreamy shoegaze. “charlie” is the lead single taken from the band’s upcoming sophomore album, Natural.
“The composition process for this song was different from what’s usual for us,” explains Stephani, Terraplan’s bassist and vocalist.
“We only had one line of lyrics when we entered the studio, so when it was time to record the vocals, we wrote the rest of the lyrics together. The song’s lyrics reflect the feeling of what we were experiencing at that moment, as well as many other moments on our journey as a band,” she adds.
Natural is the follow-up to their 2023 debut album, olhar pra trás, which was one of the most praised Brazilian albums of that year. Natural is out March 11 via Balaclava Records.
Jimothy Lacoste - "Steeze"
Hip House, Minimal Synth | via TIMUSIC Records
I saw two snippets and that’s all it took for “everybody wanna copy Jimothy steeze” to become embedded in my brain. “Steeze” is quite exciting and invigorating in its simplicity; go ahead and throw this one on, circle back a few times, and tell me it didn’t revitalize you.
“ENERGY BOOST LONDON MUSIC
MAINTAIN YOUR ENERGY WITH THIS ONE
LIGQE 2025 DAYTIME !!!!!”
Open Head - "Fiends Don't Lose"
Noise Rock, Experimental Rock | via Wharf Cat Records
Crooked post-punk sludge from Kingston, New York’s Open Head. “Fiends Don’t Lose” is the fourth single taken from the no-wave/experimental ensemble’s upcoming sophomore album. What Is Success is out next week on January 24 via Wharf Cat Records. Watch the music video here.
Population II - "Le thé est prê"
Psychedelic Rock | via Bonsound
Montreal-based band Population II share “Le thé est prêt,” the lead single from their freshly announced Maintenant Jamais. I might not speak an ounce of French, but that’s okay. The grooves on here speak loudly; all you have to do is let it wash over you. Maintenant Jamais is out March 28 via Bonsound.
Tunic - "Eyes Crossed Out"
Noise Rock, Sludge Metal | via Midwest Debris
“Eyes Crossed Out” is the harsh new single from Winnipeg noise rockers Tunic. With it they’ve announced their fourth album. A Harmony of Loss Has Been Sung is out February 28 on Midwest Debris. Watch the music video here.
Equal Parts - "The Fly"
Post-Punk, Indie Rock | Self-Released
Global Charming - "Shelf Life"
Post-Punk, Art Punk | via AT EASE
Meat Wave - "Voicemail" / "Dehydrated"
Garage Rock, Garage Punk | Self-Released
Peter's Picks
lots of hands - into a pretty room
Slacker Rock, Indietronica, Bedroom Pop
via Fire Talk Records
Having signed with Fire Talk Records back in July of 2024, lots of hands—the duo of Bill Woodhouse and Elliot Dryden—speedily turned around with their debut album on the label. Traversing Indie lanes akin to an Alex G and For Emma... era Bon Iver, lots of hands’ sensitivities are put on show. The soft touch of solitude, the stern grip that it transpires into.
Acoustically calm with a sprinkle of twee electronic festering, into a pretty room balances the hardship as well as the heartfelt. Bookended by twinkly piano pieces, we do indeed saunter into and through a pretty room.
Horsegirl - "Switch Over"
Indie Rock, Twee Pop
via Matador Records
Single number three from Horsegirl imbues their quintessential carefree shyness. The Chicago three-piece of Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein and Gigi Reece harbour the ability to capture a quiet confidence and a casual resilience.
Horsegirl's PR statement reads with relation to their upcoming album: “produced by Cate Le Bon and recorded at The Loft in Chicago, Horsegirl's original and sonic home, Phonetics On and On is an exploration on the lines between pop, minimalism, and playful experimentation.”
Switch over, switch off, Phonetics On and On releases on February 14 via Matador.
Perfume Genius - "It's A Mirror"
Indie Rock, Folk Rock
via Matador Records
Perfume Genius announces his upcoming seventh studio album Glory with the release of lead single "It's A Mirror." The heavy energy that Perfume Genius taps into is molasses-like: a sludging sound palette is painted from. Genius' upcoming album features a guest appearance of Aldous Harding and explores themes of “'the body and its decay, of domesticity and love, and of inescapable history and damage.”
Glory releases March 28 via Matador. Perfume Genius has also announced an extensive North American tour. The tour begins in Healdsburg, California on May 12 and ends in Revolution Hall, Portland on June 27.
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