New Music This Week: May 23
- BLIGATORY
- 5d
- 10 min read
recapping the last week of music, with new releases from Home Is Where, forty winks, Florry, Plusser, Wednesday, They Are Gutting A Body of Water, & 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 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 May 23.
BLIGATORY Picks
Florry - Sounds Like...
Country Rock, Alt-Country
via Dear Life Records
RIYL: Wednesday, Colin Miller, Friendship
forty winks - Love Is a Dog From Hell
Noise Pop, Math Rock
via Crafted Sounds
RIYL: feeble little horse, Her New Knife, Fib
Home Is Where - Hunting Season
Alt-Country, Indie Rock, Emo
via Wax Bodega
RIYL: Short Fictions, Modest Mouse, Foxing
Plusser - citrine (EP)
Math Rock, Noise Pop
via pck
RIYL: Fib, Pulsr, Wombo
write-up by Peter Doherty
Philly three-piece Plusser release their debut EP, citrine. It's 13-minutes in length—bite-size, with plenty of bite. The fuzzy indie rock line that it traverses emanates an unconcerned, slacker feel.
Plusser flip the script and close the EP out on the project’s lead single, "Old Car."
They Are Gutting a Body of Water - "AMERICAN FOOD"
Slacker Rock, Neo-Psychedelia
via Julia's War Recordings / ATO Records
write-up by Dominick Baglivo
They Are Gutting a Body of Water, the Philly-based project led by Douglas Dulgarian, has been ahead of the curve for a while now. TAGABOW’s surgical-like sound stitches together glitchy, warped samples with noisy, experimental guitar work, and has had a massive ripple effect of influence across modern shoegaze. Alongside Dulgarian, the band is made up of bassist Emily Lofing, guitarist PJ Carroll, and drummer Ben Opatut.
Dulgarian’s record label, Julia’s War, has been a regular in these weekly roundups—with recent releases from Her New Knife, Kettle, Hooky & Winter, Bedridden, and Fib all catching our attention. Their catalog goes even deeper and farther back, and the label made another big splash this week with a new partnership. The new TAGABOW single, “AMERICAN FOOD,” marks the first Julia’s War single/video released in partnership with both Smoking Room—the Oakland-based label that released TAGABOW’s 2022 album, lucky styles—and the Dave Matthews co-founded ATO Records, home to King Gizzard, Black Pumas, and more.
Wednesday - "Elderberry Wine"
Alt-Country, Indie Rock
via Dead Oceans
write-up by Dominick Baglivo
It was a Wednesday Wednesday on May 21, as the North Carolina band fronted by Karly Hartzman shared their first new music in about two years. “Elderberry Wine” follows Wednesday’s 2023 album, Rat Saw God, one of the most impressive and defining releases within the modern era of twangy indie rock/alt-country.
In the time since Rat Saw God, some things have changed for Wednesday. Hartzman and guitarist MJ Lenderman broke off their relationship, and Lenderman has grown quite successful as a solo artist following last year’s incredible Manning Fireworks. Earlier this year, in a profile for GQ, Lenderman revealed he’d no longer tour with the band, but he’ll still appear on future recordings.
On the same day that “Elderberry Wine” released, Wednesday made their TV debut on Colbert. It’s potentially the last time we’ll see Lenderman perform with the band, and they collectively crushed it.
Hartzman explains in a press release:
“'Elderberry Wine' is about the potential for sweet things in life (love, family, success) to become poison if not prepared for and attended to correctly. Elderberry is known as a healing fruit, and is an ingredient in many tonics and syrups to aid the immune system. One time however, my sister consumed them raw and it immediately induced vomiting. So “Elderberry Wine” is ultimately a love song about creating just the right environment for fulfillment. There’s a delicate balance that needs to be created, especially in love, for two lives to intersect without poisoning each other.”
Atticus' Picks
Kause - What's A Crown to the Clouds?
Alternative Hip-Hop
via Punktum
Shamir - Ten
Indie Rock
via Kill Rock Stars
Dominick's Picks
Art Punk, Indie Rock
via Crafted Sounds
RIYL: Dumb, Palberta, Smirk
callejera - CONSUME
Noise Punk, Alternative Metal
via jitterbugz
RIYL: Cerce, JIVEBOMB, SOAKIE
Mannequin Fight - Branching Out, Reaching Forward
Indie Rock, Shoegaze
via Bee Side Cassettes
RIYL: Momma, feeble little horse, Winter
Science Man - Monarch Joy
Hardcore Punk
via Swimming Faith Records
RIYL: Why Bother?, Cruelster, Ecstatic Vision
Alien Nosejob - "Caffeine OD" / "Government Flu"
Garage Punk
via Anti Fade Records / Agitated Records
Two punchy singles from prolific Australian musician Jake Robertson. Under the Alien Nosejob name, he’s shared 7 LPs since 2018. He’s compiling and condensing the project’s EPs and assorted singles into a new compilation record—Forced Communal Existence—which is out June 6 via Agitated Records and Anti Fade Records.
Connie Roses - "Masked Up" (ft. Calal Brown)
Abstract Hip-Hop, Pop Rap
via Paluxy Records
Pittsburgh rapper and producer Connie Roses continues his 2025 return with news of a third project on the way. He shared his first new music since 2022 with Borders of Identity (August 1947) in February, and the Bandcamp-exclusive What We Got To Offer in April. With a skip in its step, the Calal Brown-assisted “Masked Up” is the lead single to Roses’ upcoming instrumental tape (out June 10), Memories From My Stones.
Dummy - "Ethereal Security Guard"
Ambient, Drone, Neo-Psychedelia
via perennial / K Records
Los Angeles’ Dummy continue their hot streak and now have two releases on the horizon. In September 2024, the four-piece released their sophomore album, Free Energy, elevating the exhilarating and dynamic psychedelic sounds of their debut (2021’s Mandatory Enjoyment). On June 11, Bubbelibrium DLC will present the album anew through a reimagining of its 12 tracks, with remixes from GMO, Wishy, Insides, and more. They’ll follow in August with a reissue (available on cassette) of the band’s first two EPs, originally shared in 2020. Packaged together as Dumb EPs, they’ll feature three bonus tracks from the same recording sessions.
About the first of these three archival tracks, Dummy’s Joe Trainor said (via Treble), “E.S.G. is a song about simple gestures calming extreme anxiety, which Alex did that often for me during the pandemic when these 3 songs were recorded.”
Dumb EPs will be available on August 29 via Perennial / K Records. This fall, Dummy will hit the road for a US tour, including some dates supporting Soccer Mommy. Find the full dates here.
GOON - "Patsy's Twin"
Indie Rock, Noise Rock
via Born Losers Records
GOON album incoming! The Los Angeles band share the third single from their upcoming third album, Dream 3. By name, “Patsy’s Twin” is a Sopranos reference. But on the musical front, its touchpoints are less direct; a rugged and noisy hodgepodge of indie rock sounds, “Patsy’s Twin” abruptly fluctuates between dreamy soundscape and off-kilter, metallic bursts of confusion.
About the track, bandleader Kenny Becker adds:
“I was excited by the idea of writing a song that felt like it was two or three different songs cut and pasted together with essentially no transitional elements to smooth the edges. Essentially, the same mentality I brought into painting the album cover.
The first half of the song was born out of the pain of heartbreak and a meditation on just hanging out, outside, with friends.
Though I live in LA, I grew up in San Diego and am a devoted fan of the San Diego Padres. The mythic and legendary legacy of Tony Gwynn was always something I thought would be fun to reference in a song, and I ended up doing that side-by-side with another beloved Tony, Tony Soprano. The other verse in that section is about my own struggle to write, and in that case, referring to the song itself.
Our good friend Braden Lawrence played drums on this song but Andy Polito (who drums on most of the record) came up with the name, a reference to the Sopranos character Patsy, whose twin was killed by Tony.”
Dream 3 is out July 11 on Born Losers Records.
Gull House - "Rex Cougar"
Garage Punk
via Pang Pang Records
Belgium’s Gull House are a sort of no-nonsense punk band. Musically, at least, their new single “Rex Cougar” captures a raw and effortless energy. But they’re down for a little silliness, introducing us to the titular character—a womanizer of sorts, possibly a wingman—and at the very least, a little bit sleazy.
“Dying side by side with my hero Rex Cougar,” what a way to go.
Hotline TNT - "Break Right"
Indie Rock, Power Pop
via Third Man Records
MAN, this is a good one. Brooklyn’s Hotline TNT are gearing up to release their new album Raspberry Moon in less than a month. They’ve already previewed it with two singles, “Candle” and “Julia’s War” (shoutout to the indomitable Philly label). This week, the Will Anderson-led band share “Break Right,” the sharpest and crunchiest of the bunch—and probably my favorite yet.
About “Break Right,” Anderson says:
“Some songs hide their meanings behind a facade of metaphors, PR quotes and half-measures. ‘Break Right’ hides nothing. This is the sound of TNT becoming a band. Every effect has been unplugged, every sample has been deprogrammed, and every emotion has been laid bare. You’ve never heard a Hotline song quite like this before.”
Raspberry Moon is out June 20 via Third Man Records. On June 21, Hotline TNT will play a special rooftop record release show (that has sold out!) in New York, before launching on a headline tour across the US, as well as the UK and EU. Find the full list of dates (there are a lot) here.
KNOWSO - "Optimism"
Post-Punk, Egg Punk
Self-Released
The trio of Nathan Ward (Cruelster), Jayson Gerycz (Cloud Nothings), and Adam Zegarutch is one of the finest in ‘weird punk’ right now. They’ve got a few EPs under their belt, and they shared their second album, Pulsating Gore, in January of last year. Their latest, “Optimism,” keeps that momentum rolling. On June 6, the track will be released on tape—or in CASSINGLE form—alongside a 5+ minute cover of Bob Dylan’s “Foot of Pride.”
Puffer - "Concrete Jungle"
Hardcore Punk, Punk Rock
via Static Shock Records / RoachLeg Records
Puffer rips. Simple. “Concrete Jungle,” rips. The Montreal band announced their debut full-length in April, alongside the lead single, “Jimmy,” which, believe it or not—rips. Street Hassle is out June 13 via Static Shock Records / RoachLeg Records.
Snõõper - "Crash Out"
Shoegaze, Dream Pop
via Winspear
On May 12—the day of their first stop on an EU and UK tour—Nashville synth-punks Snõõper shared the self-recorded Unknown Caller EP via Bandcamp. The tour has since concluded, but in the midst of it, one of those four songs hit streaming services. Bouncy, buzzy, Snõõper!
Turnstile - "LOOK OUT FOR ME"
Post-Hardcore, Alternative Rock
via Roadrunner Records
The rise continues for Baltimore’s Turnstile. “LOOK OUT FOR ME” boasts a punchy front-half and an atmospheric, vibey back-half. It’s the fourth single from the band’s hotly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s GLOW ON. NEVER ENOUGH is out June 6 via Roadrunner.
U.S. Girls - "Like James Said"
Psychedelic Pop, Pop Rock
via 4AD
Following the near-12-minute lead single, “Bookends,” Meg Remy shares the second single from her latest project under the U.S. Girls name. Scratch It, the 9th U.S. Girls album, is out June 20 via 4AD.
Winter - "Just Like A Flower"
Shoegaze, Dream Pop
via Winspear
Following the fantastic collaborative EP with Philly-based duo Hooky, Water Season, and an appearance on Brazilian shoegazers Terraplana’s latest record, Samira Winter’s latest offering of the year comes in the form of “Just Like A Flower.” A super fun and springy noise pop cut, it’s the lead single for Adult Romantix, Winter’s first album since her 2022 breakthrough release, What Kind Of Blue Are You?
About the new track and its accompanying music video, Winter says:
“This song captures the essence of daydreaming in your bedroom — a place where limitless imagination and inspiration can exist. It ties back to memories of writing songs in my old bedroom in Echo Park, CA. There were these summer nights when I’d walk back from a local show with a sense of wonder and enchantment, only to lie down on my bed and replay everything that happened in my head like a movie.
It felt incredibly nostalgic coming back to LA to film the video. The girls were about the same age as those who inspired me during those lost LA summers. It was heart-tugging though, because it was right after the fires and David Lynch’s death, so there was an extra layer of vulnerability in the air. It was so beautiful to see the community come together — it made the video all the more special. In a way, we were documenting these girls in a moment in time, captured in one of their most intimate spaces.”
Adult Romantix is out August 22 on Winspear. About a month after the album’s release, Winter will head out on a US tour, supported by one of two Philly acts—A Country Western and Hooky—on most dates. Find the full dates here.
Wombo - "Danger In Fives"
Indie Rock, Post-Punk
via Fire Talk Records
They say good things come in threes. Such as Louisville trio Wombo, who have just announced their third album—Danger In Fives. Subtly winding guitars and airy vocals highlight the title track. Danger In Fives is out August 8 on Fire Talk. Following its release, Wombo will hit the road for a US tour, plus some UK/EU dates.
Peter's Picks
Search Results - GO MUTANT
Indie Rock
Self-Released
Two years on from the band’s debut, Information Blip, the left-leaning, rough-and-ready Dublin lads rear their cowlicked heads once more. Led by the singles in "Wrinkle," "Too Much Time," and contender for my favourite SR track, "Be Laurel," the album had a varied palette of tastes to readily show off.
It can be hard to listen to Search Results; difficult to find their groove, at first. You have to warm up to their world. But once you do, it opens up to you. The songwriting can be awkward, sort of like road bumps in the song’s road. But as you spend time with the material, it unfurls in this seemingly impossible way. What was once not there, now is. The band tread that angsty yet vulnerable line so well.
Stratford Rise - Stratford Rise (EP)
Noise Rock, Post-Hardcore
Self-Released
Belfast-based four-piece Stratford Rise release their self-titled debut EP. The mechanical, robust aesthetic that the project puts forth is of a certain technical astuteness. Shifts in sonic shape and direction are here in abundance. An angular, acute sharpness keeps the material on the edge. Of a very unsettled demeanour, Stratford Rise harbours a schizo quality, an air of unpredictability. For all the moments of pure mania across the project, the closing track, "Machine to Water," catches a calm moment of respite—albeit an eerie one—to see out the EP.
The black midi comparisons are warranted, but I feel it mostly comes down to the frontman sonically resembling the quirks of Geordie Greep. Stratford Rise have more than enough of their own flair to be their own being.
thistle. - "wishing coin"
Shoegaze
via Venn Records
thistle. release the second single in the run-up to their debut EP, it's nice to see you stranger. The Northampton three-piece, consisting of Cameron Godfrey, Carey Judwyn Rushton, and Lewis O'Grady create a grizzly wall of sound with "wishing coin."
"wishing coin" is set to be the closing track on the band’s upcoming debut EP, it's nice to see you stranger, which releases July 4 via Venn Records.
thistle. play a couple of live dates in the UK in June: June 18 at the Hope & Ruin in Brighton and June 19 at the Garibaldi Hotel in Northampton.
