New Music This Week: July 25

recapping the last week of music, with new releases from Bleary Eyed, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, Safe Mind, Mac DeMarco, Teethe, Wednesday, & MORE

Bleary Eyed by Nichole Miller

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 recommend and personalized picks from a few of our editors.

Welcome to our new releases guide featuring the most notable music released the week of July 25.

BLIGATORY Picks

Bleary Eyed - Easy

Noise Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Shoegaze

via Born Losers Records

Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist - Alfredo 2

Mafioso Rap, Jazz Rap

via ESGN / ALC Records

Quadeca - Vanisher, Horizon Scraper

Art Pop, Folktronica

via X8 Music

Safe Mind - Cutting the Stone

Synthpop, Alternative Dance

via Nude Club

write-up by Dominick Baglivo

Last September, Safe Mind first popped up with the incredibly bouncy, playful, and club-ready “6’ Pole.” That track marked the first collaboration between Augustus Muller—one half of electronic/darkwave duo Boy Harsher—and Cooper B. Handy (LUCY) as Safe Mind.

Safe Mind’s origins take root in an earlier collaboration, when Handy featured on “Autonomy,” taken from Boy Harsher’s The Runner—an original soundtrack for a short horror film of the same name—in 2022. Muller and Handy have been working together since, now delivering their debut album as Safe Mind, Cutting the Stone.

Previewed by three singles with the aforementioned “6’ Pole,” “Standing On Air,” and “Hold On To That,” Cutting the Stone promised a wide array of styles predicated on sugary synths and undeniable grooves. A phenomenal first showing, Muller and Handy more than deliver on that promise.

Mac DeMarco - "Holy"

Singer-Songwriter, Bedroom Pop, Folk Rock

via Mac's Record Label

write-up by Atticus Deeny

Mac DeMarco has begun to harness simplicity in a way that few other artists dare to nowadays. Since 2023’s Five Easy Hot Dogs beat-tape, he has done little to no promo for his music, deleting his personal accounts on social media and pivoting his presence to the Mac’s Record Label account.

While One Wayne G appears a chaotic mess of indiscernible tracks, the premise is incredibly simple: here is my hard drive, choose the ones you like. It is an album (maybe three or four albums), without the risk of a label or artist putting money on which tracks will connect before they release it.

Guitar (due 8/22), is sounding like a mixed and mastered version of this lifestyle, with the second single, “Holy,” containing around 20 words in total and maybe 6 different chords. The vocals are carefully placed though, accentuating the pauses during the verses and accenting that walk down to the satisfyingly low-pitch title drop that leads into the instrumental chorus. Each sound is crisp, allowing the listener to single out the five pieces of the production: drums, bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and vocals.

I grew up in Downeast Maine, and the scenery featured in DeMarco’s recent videos looks very familiar, although I wouldn’t be surprised if the settings are from the moodier parts of the West Coast, since he is located in California. He has figured out how to effectively promote and release a highly anticipated album by doing the things he enjoys: canoeing through the bay while looking at animals and eating apples off the tree. There is not a cigarette or beer in sight either.

pôt-pot - "Sextape"

Post-Punk, Psychedelic Rock

via Felte

write-up by Peter Doherty

The Irish-Portuguese five-piece pôt-pot follow-up "WRSW" with the heavily rhythmic and Krautrock-influenced "Sextape." Dripping dense essence and trudging forth on thick-as-butter rhythms, pôt-pot are firmly in the driver’s seat.

pôt-pot's debut album, Warsaw 480km, is out September 19 via Felte.

SPRINTS - "Rage" / "Beg"

Post-Punk, Garage Punk, Noise Rock

via City Slang Records / Sub Pop Records

write-up by Peter Doherty

We've been dished a double-serving of Dublin's SPRINTS as the raucous one-two of "Rage" and "Beg" is let loose. Dublin continues to make the most of the moment that it has been having for a while now; it seems more like a state of being rather than a moment in time at this stage.

All That Is Over, Sprints' sophomore album, releases September 25 via City Slang and Sub Pop.

SPRINTS head out on a UK/IE tour beginning in Belfast on November 2 and ending in Dublin on November 20. The band has also announced a nine-date EU tour in March 2026. Find all of their live dates here.

Teethe - "Push You Forever"

Slowcore, Dream Pop

via Winspear

write-up by Dominick Baglivo

Keep ‘em coming. Taken from their sophomore record, “Push You Forever” is the fourth single from Texas band Teethe since May. The final preview of Magic Of The Sale, it follows the title track, “Holy Water,” and “Hate Goodbyes.”

Delivering on all four, if there were any bowling connections to be made, we could call this a hambone. None of these songs have anything to do with bowling, but four strikes in a row being called a hambone is very funny, and Teethe have started the game (in this analogy, the album rollout) with a perfect scorecard.

“Push You Forever” stands out as the longest of the bunch, nearly reaching five minutes. It’s a slow-paced cut that’s the most “slowcore” sounding offering yet—but a persistent pedal steel also puts it alongside “Hate Goodbyes” for the twangiest. Regardless of how you frame it, “Push You Forever” is another impressive showing of Teethe’s ability to craft sweeping, atmospheric beauty.

Magic Of The Sale is out August 8 on Winspear. About a month later, Teethe will head out on a headlining tour through the fall and winter. Find the full list of tour dates here.

Wednesday - "Pick Up That Knife"

Indie Rock, Alt-Country

via Dead Oceans

write-up by Dominick Baglivo

Wednesday’s last record felt like a once-in-a-lifetime work. They’ve been ahead of the curve for a minute now, and if there were any doubts, Rat Saw God firmly cemented Wednesday at the forefront of the ever-growing movement of twangy, slacker-ish country rockers.

This week, the Karly Hartzman-led unit that features MJ Lenderman, Xandy Chelmis, Ethan Baechtold, and Alan Miller shared their third single of 2025 with “Pick Up That Knife.” Following “Elderberry Wine” and “Wound Up Here (By Holdin On),” it is yet another excelling showing for Wednesday.

In a press release, Hartzman explains:

“'Pick Up That Knife’'is a song that revolves around feelings of helplessness, when every minor inconvenience hurts double ’cause you’re close to giving up. It’s also about when our pedal steel player Xandy threw up in the moshpit during the Death Grips set at Primavera Sound in 2023.”

Bleeds, Wednesday’s fifth album, is out September 19 on Dead Oceans. In October, Wednesday will hit the Western US, supported by Friendship. After a brief break, they’ll play a string of dates on the East Coast and the Midwest—plus a stop in a Montreal—with support from Daffo. Find the full list of shows here.

Atticus' Picks

Tyler, The Creator - DON'T TAP THE GLASS

Pop Rap, Hip House, Dance

via Columbia Records

Giant - "Real Good Power"

Noise Rock, Experimental Rock

via T.W.A.S.

Cam's Picks

htmljones - british girl EP

Hyperpop, Jersey Club, Trap

via NR2 Records

Indigo De Souza - Precipice

Pop Rock, Indie Pop

via Loma Vista Recordings / Concord

Dominick's Picks

Flutter - When You Love Somebody (EP)

Power Pop, Jangle Pop

Self-Released

When You Love Somebody is the first proper release from Denver four-piece Flutter. Another name to watch amidst a surge of late ‘80s and early ‘90s-influenced jangle pop/power pop, Flutter strikes a rich balance of punchiness, catchy melodies, and overall charm across these six tracks.

Nihilistic Easyrider - DELUXE EDITION

Alternative Rock, Power Pop, Pop Punk

via Run For Cover Records

The Houston-based band Narrow Head has found a home in the space between heavy, grungy rock and dreamy, shoegaze-y sounds. Their most recent release—2023’s Moments of Clarity—was somewhat of a breakout record for the four-piece led by guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter Jacob Duarte. Under the name Nihilistic Easyrider, Duarte shares his first solo album, DELUXE EDITION.

As Nihilistic Easyrider, Duarte has paved a new lane for his creative endeavors. DELUXE EDITION leans heavily into nostalgia and retro sounds—but it’s far from kitschy—with earnest takes on ‘90s and 2000s emo and pop punk sounds bound to resonate with almost anyone who grew up in that era.

Regarding his newfound solo effort, Duarte says:

“Narrow Head and this project are equally big parts of me, and I need to do them both, but I always know if a riff is going to become a Narrow Head song or a Nihilistic Easyrider song the moment I first write it. In a funny way, these Nihilistic Easyrider songs are closer to the music I always wanted to make growing up — they’ve got that real ’90s and 2000s emo feel that I grew up loving and wanting to channel. When I write for Narrow Head I’m writing for what the band needs, whereas these songs are more like, a personal diary of growing up through music.”

Perfect 100 - Perfect 100 (EP)

Indie Rock, Noise Pop, Shoegaze

via bloody knuckles / Many Hats Distribution

Yeah, this rules.

Perfect 100 is the effort of NYC-based musician Andrew Madore, who absolutely delivers on his first offering. The four-track self-titled EP was almost entirely written, performed, and recorded by Madore himself. With assistance from Adam Wanetik on drums (recorded Ryan Accardi at Eusonia Studios), and mixing/mastering done by Justin Pizzoferrato, Perfect 100 comes together as a neatly packaged offering of fuzzy, guitar-driven pop.

Maybe you’re inundated with the amount of shoegaze and “shoegaze-adjacent” projects that crop up every week. That’s fine; however, I don’t care. This is one you cannot miss. At less than 12 minutes, push aside whatever is next on your list and bump this one up. 

sorry face - XD

Experimental Rock, Post-Hardcore, Math Rock

Self-Released

I try to avoid using the phrase “this rips” on here as best I can. It’s something I lean on to refer to a lot of music I enjoy when I’m speaking casually. But I am here to tell you, this rips.

XD is the first record from Pittsburgh DIY group sorry face. Spurred by the songwriting efforts of guitarist/vocalist/producer Brandon Kaltenbaugh and vocalist Noa Sesse, the five-piece is rounded out by Colin Klink on bass, Conner McGee on drums, and Olivia Moore on guitar.

Sonically, XD is hard to pin down; look toward track six, “one-trick pony,” to see what they aren’t. Distancing ourselves from the confines of genre labels, track five, “heart shaped glitter bomb,” feels like an apt descriptor for the band’s sound. Their delivery method varies from one song to the next, but a strong and steady energy level propels them forward at every turn. And even amidst the heaviest moments—where barrages of thick guitars and pummeling drums coalesce—a sense of urgency and potent injections of emotional vulnerability underscore XD.

t-minus - Convenience in Understanding

Indie Rock, Garage Rock, Noise Pop

via Karol Records

Philly DIY! Featuring 12 fuzzy, guitar-based tracks, Convenience in Understanding is the debut LP from Philly band t-minus.

About the album, the band says:

“Convenience in Understanding for all intensive purposes is really a concept album, however frankly we aren't really pretentious enough to say that, so we'll say it's a time capsule. It encompasses two and a half years of self-produced, self-engineered, self-everything you could think of all under the guise of tape hiss and friendly Miller High Life fueled banter. We really tried to hone in on the fleeting sensations of what life has thrown at us and the triumphs and tribulations of human connection and its relationship to our creative process. We chose to self-everything-ify this record because of our own inspirations from other artists, but also to grow as artists / people and give to ourselves the opportunity to not only learn a skill, but to learn something about ourselves.”

Ada Lea - "midnight magic"

Singer-Songwriter, Folk Pop

via Saddle Creek Records

In May, Montreal-based musician Ada Lea—real name Alexandra Levy—announced her new album, when I paint my masterpiece. She’s already shared “baby blue frigidaire mini fridge” and “something in the wind,” and this week brings a third single in the form of a surrealist piano ballad titled “midnight magic.”

About the new song, Levy says,

“I felt like I was taking a leap of faith with this surreal approach—and it felt good to trust that the song knew best. In an artist talk, Margaux Williamson said her new body of work took her 8 years to complete and said, ‘I am constantly needing to remind myself that the hand knows better than the brain.’ I nodded Yes. When it came time to record the vocals, a lot had happened since the initial recording session, the most significant being a second trimester pregnancy loss. It was grueling. As soon as I physically could, I started singing and resumed working on the album again. As I sang the first lines of this song, which go ‘angel, promise me this,’ I immediately burst into tears because I knew that the song was for my baby.”

when i paint my masterpiece is out August 8 on Saddle Creek. In August, Ada Lea will head out on her first UK headline tour in almost 6 years. Stretching from from September to November, US/Canada dates are set to follow. Find the full list of shows here.

Automatic - "Mercury"

Dance-Punk, Alternative Dance

via Stones Throw

On June 18, Los Angeles trio Automatic shared “Is It Now?,” the title track to their upcoming third record. However, it wasn’t until this week, alongside the release of “Mercury,” that we learned of its September 26 release date.

One of Automatic’s greatest strengths is utilizing synths in a way that lord over you, like a sonic manifestation of infinite and swarming surveillance drones. That analogy sounds horrifying, but I assure you, it sounds incredible. “Mercury” isn’t an outlier in this regard, but it holds special status as one of the most danceable offerings in a very groove-heavy catalog. The synths are entrancing in their own right, but sections of diabolically funky breaks steal the show.

Is It Now? Is out September 26 via Stones Throw Records. Starting in September, Automatic is co-headlining a tour with Sextile. Find the full list of dates here.

FEN FEN - "SHELLSHOKT"

Garage Punk

via Low Ambition / Sweet Time Records

Raw, no-frills garage punk from Detroit’s FEN FEN on “SHELLSHOKT.” It’s the lead single from IN YER SIGHTS, an eight-track release set to drop on August 22 via Low Ambition Records (Australia) and Sweet Time Records (USA).

Jobber - "Pillman's Got A Gun"

Post-Grunge, Alternative Rock

via Exploding In Sound Records

Jobber continues to be one of the best bands in the game. Gearing up for their debut full-length, announced last month alongside “Nightmare,” Brooklyn’s premier wrestling-themed rockers share the second single from Jobber To The Stars. Swinging with ferocity, “Pillman’s Got A Gun” hits the Jobber high points with heavy, distortion-laden guitars and an enveloping hook.

About the track, guitarist/vocalist Kate Meizner says:

"The song grew out of my profound appreciation and fascination with Pillman after learning more about his iconic moments and his life. Some references are overt, but his story made me think a lot about how the pressure that comes with cultivating a chaotic persona can trap you in a cycle of constantly trying to outdo yourself.

For the video, we went all out to celebrate Pillman by building a shrine filled with artifacts honoring his life and memory. I shared the idea with my friend Brittany Reeber, who is an incredible director, and she had amazing, creative suggestions to use production design, choreography, and mysterious, atmospheric elements to bring the concept to another level. She also brought in Jayne Clark (production designer) to make the shrine look beautiful and spooky while also incorporating all sorts of fun Pillman easter eggs for wrestling fans to hunt for (a Hart foundation teddy bear, action figures, and his ‘screw you' sunglasses, to name a few).”

Jobber To The Stars is out August 22 via Exploding In Sound Records. The four-piece of Meizner, drummer/vocalist Michael Falcone, guitarist/keyboardist Michael Julius, and bassist Miles Toth have two upcoming shows in August, with more set to be announced. Catch them August 15 at Night Club 101 in NYC, or August 23 at God’s Auto Body in Philly.

KNOWSO - "Flourescent Pink"

Post-Punk, Art Punk

via Sorry State Records

Back-to-back weeks with new KNOWSO singles. The Cleveland-based duo of Nathan Ward (Cruelster, Perverts Again, The Carp) and Jayson Gerycz (Cloud Nothings) announced their third LP last week alongside the jerky lead single, “You Climb The Sphinx.”

Circling back with the similarly weird (complimentary) and nervy “Flourescent Pink,” it’s presumably the last single for what has been a rapid rollout. No complaints here. The short wait comes to an end next week, with Hypnotic Smack set to release on August 1 via Sorry State Records.

Nyxy Nyx - "in haze"

Slowcore, Slacker Rock, Dream Pop

via Julia's War Recordings

If you look up “Nyxy Nyx in haze,” you’ll easily find at least one other version of it—a two-and-a-half-minute version with demo-like qualities appears on Nyxy Nyx’s 2021 release, PLAY DEAD. That track, along with the other six from PLAY DEAD can also be found on Sierra, a split with Tadzio from the same year. In November 2024, the Philly-based outfit shared “EMPTY GESTURE” b/w “IN HAZE” on their Bandcamp, which features the five-and-a-half-minute iteration of what is now the lead single to Cult Classics Vol. I, the first ✨studio album✨ from Nyxy Nyx.

Beginning in 2014 as a performance art project between Brian Riechert and Drew Saracco, Nyxy Nyx is far from new to the scene. Housing a shifty discography, songs have been moved around, re-recorded, and never played the same way in a live setting over the years. Including the upcoming LP, you can find precisely two dozen listings on the Nyxy Nyx Bandcamp page; some are singles, but you’ll also find many that many of these home recordings exceed eight tracks—the number of songs that appear on the upcoming Cult Classics Vol. I.

Said to represent the heaviest iteration of the band, Reichert, Tim Jordan (Sun Organ), Benjamin Schurr (Luna Honey), and Alex Ha (ex-Knifeplay) are joined by Madeline Johnston (Midwife) and Josh Meakim (A Sunny Day in Glasgow) on the first full-band studio record from Nyxy Nyx. A relatively concise offering—especially compared to a tape like thee 3rd album, which features 21 songs—Cult Classics Vol. I is out September 12 via Julia’s War Recordings.

The Cowboys - "Freudian Slip 'N Slide"

Power Pop, Garage Rock

via Red Man Playa Industries

Earlier this month, The Cowboys announced their new album alongside its lead single, “The Hate In Your Heart.” While we’re still waiting on an exact release date for Captain Easy’s Downfall, we didn’t have to wait long at all for its second preview, “Freudian Slip 'N Slide.” Power pop mastery. Can’t get this one (or the lead single) out of my head.

Max's Picks

Dottie - Intention

Shoegaze, Dream Pop

Self-Released

Giant Claw - Decadent Stress Chamber

Glitch Pop, Progressive Electronic

via Orange Milk Records

Golomb - The Beat Goes On

Indie Rock

via No Quarter Records

McKay - Casino EP

Alt-Country, Folk Rock

via East Iris Records

Nabeel - ghayoom - غيوم

Indie Rock, Shoegaze

Self-Released

Alice Phoebe Lou - "Pretender"

Singer-Songwriter, Indie Folk

via Nettwerk Music Group

bloodsports - "rosary"

Post-Punk

via Good English

Cate Le Bon - "Is It Worth It (Happy Birthday)?"

Dream Pop, Indie Pop

via Mexican Summer

Isai Morales - "szn3ep47b"

Jazz Rap, Abstract Hip-Hop

via Loko Recordings

Jay Worthy & Boldy James - "Choosing Shoes"

Gangsta Rap

via GDF Records / Empire

mark william lewis - "Seventeen"

Singer-Songwriter, Dream Pop

via A24 Music

Mixed Matches - "well aren't you so kind?"

Alternative R&B, Dream Pop

via late

Shallowater - "Highway"

Slowcore, Alt-Country

Self-Released

This past Tuesday, I was casually driving, enjoying the weather with my windows down, when I stopped at a light and looked at my phone for a second. When I checked my phone, I couldn’t believe my eyes… a new “Shallowater” song. Instantly, I went to stream it at full blast in my car. I had faith it was a song worth playing at full volume… I was correct in my assumption.

If you don’t know by now, Shallowater is a trio based in Houston, Texas, who has only had one studio release. That lone release is one of my favorite albums of not only 2024, but of this entire decade so far. Shallowater excels at creating an atmosphere. They draw you in with that southern charm they so beautifully display in their melodic riffs, soft drums, and a kind of singing that you simply don’t hear anymore. The kind of singing that could only exist in this music, the kind that is undefinable. It could be country, it could be rock, it could be singer-songwriter and it could even be—dare I say, shoegaze. However, I believe with music like this, it’s best to leave it without a label and to soak it all in instead. You'll waste time trying to figure out what it is, because what it is, is GOOD. You just need to perk up your ears to listen.

Shallowater winds you down and serves up an ice-cold mason jar of sweet tea in the midst of searing Texas heat. They provide that classic southern hospitality, then as soon as you’re comfortable, you’re blindsided by a wall of sound and bellowing that could maybe stretch across the oil fields from Houston to Dallas. This isn’t the formula used in all of their music, but that was just a little taste of how versatile, unique, and dynamic this band truly is.

All three members provide their own flavor to the band that makes this music so special. It’s not just the raw and stunning vocals that rock/alternative music is often missing in the modern era, but it’s the choice of drum style and tones of the string instruments that make this band stand out too. The three-piece comes together with all of their styles and provides a sound that isn’t quite like anything being made currently. The best way to describe them is that they sound like Texas. Their latest single, “Highway,” nails that statement to the church doors.

Something about this single makes me feel like they may have been holding back a bit on the first record. The twang was there on “There is a Well,” but not like it is on here. It starts with the lead crooning about feeling distant from someone who used to be so close. Seemingly, time slipped by and these two drifted farther than he had ever thought. This specific songwriting is about as country—mixed with a little bit of Elliot Smith—as it gets. This track is catchy, soulful, and refreshing, yet reminiscent at the same time. Above all, “Highway” is authentic.

You can tell Shallowater are putting their all into this song, and on their next LP, God’s Gonna Give You A Million Dollars, which has no release date yet. Shallowater are coming into their own, and they mean business. I don’t think the music scene is quite ready for what they have in store. This is spiritual, and their music is sung and played straight from that Texas soul. They represent where they are from exceptionally well—not just from a geographical standpoint, but in the sense of where they all come as people as well. This is true TEXAN music. You will see after you read this article and go listen to ‘Highway’ and ‘There is a Well’. Then you too will be biting your nails, anxiously waiting for the release date for God’s Gonna Give You A Million Dollars.

Peter's Picks

SENTRIES - Gem of the West (Disc 2)

Noise Rock, Indie Rock, Post-Hardcore

via Eau Claire Records

SENTRIES month, the gift that keeps on giving, comes to a close with the supplementary EP of Gem of the West extras, Gem of the West (Disc 2).

The raw essence that laced Gem of the West is here in abundance. The tracks are all up to scratch quality-wise; the choice to leave them off of the album wasn't one of "which is better?" but more of a choice between "which suits better?," by the looks of it.

Disc 2 closes out on a 14-minute mashup/cover of Car Seat Headrest's "Famous Prophets" and "Nails" (album closer on Gem of the West).

Gem of the West (Disc 2) is out now via Eau Claire Records.

Jamie xx - "Dream Night"

Future Garage, Progressive House

via Young

Jamie XX returns with a healthy dose of boots-and-cats and booming atmospheres with his first single since the release of In Waves in 2024. Made while touring In Waves, "Dream Night" houses that midnight drive energy: just you and the road under the stars, the universe infinite as ever in its expanse.

"I saw a dream last night, bright like a falling star.... "

"Dream Night" is out now on Young Records.

Tame Impala - "End of Summer"

Tech House

via Columbia Records

Tame Impala turn a leaf and move deep into electronic pastures with "End of Summer." "End of Summer" houses a heavy four/four floor-stomp that pulses the track forward with an incessant, groove-locked, arena-like thud. The electronics that were once elements of Tame Impala's music—Currents, especially—are now the full-on conduit.

Tame Impala's Instagram reads:

"A new era begins. This is the first thing I want you guys to hear. I give you ‘End of Summer.’ As is tradition, go and find your favourite sound system. The video was shot in a place even dustier than my drum sounds. Hope you like it. Off we gooooo."

I'm not sure if I like where this is going for Tame Impala, but I'm here for it.