The best new music this week

But there were also some impressive numbers from the world of smaller artists, all of whom deserve more attention. Paris Paloma continued her rise to the top with another folk-horror epic, while Martin Luke Brown released the most devastatingly heartbreaking track heard in a long time. The likes of Dutch Mustard, October and the Eyes, bby, ELLiS-D and more are all names to note, and they share new music that will undoubtedly take them to the next level.

If you’re looking for your next favorite album, head over to our weekly Alternative Album Chart for a ranking of the week’s new LPs. But for a quick dose of new hits, listen to the week’s top singles in our bumper playlist.

The best new music of the week:

Track of the week

The Howl and the Buzz – ‘Dirt’: Sam Griffiths of The Howl and The Hum has always had a knack for finding unique vantage points for his feelings. Their fan-favorite song, “Hostages,” examined heartbreak from the moment the belongings are exchanged and the breakup is over, leaving two longtime lovers as mere strangers. Their new song, “Dirt,” feels like a sequel to that, looking at it from a distance and asking, “What now?”

“I know all your passwords, and you know mine too / We’ve seen each other’s bodies at their worst and their best,” Griffiths sings, as if he’s sifting through the rubble of what’s left, wondering what to do with it all. As the music swells to a grand Springsteen-esque crescendo, it’s a grippingly unique track that continues to showcase Griffith’s lyrical prowess and the band’s infinite potential as they race to release their second album. (4.5/5)

Instant Classics – The Week’s Biggest New Releases

Laufey – ‘Where or When’: As part of a new compilation tape, Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Laufey releases another perfect ballad, reinterpreting the standard established by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, and continuing to cement her place in their great lineage of classic singing stars. (4/5)

Alice Phoebe Lou – ‘The World Above’: Fan favorite songwriter Alice Phoebe Lou returns with a new offering with folk twang. It’s exactly what you’d expect from Lou: stunning, angelically sung and radiating with sunny energy. (4/5)

Mac DeMarco and Ryan Paris – ‘Still What I’m Looking For’: A sweet love song of the rarest kind: a simple celebration of contentment with a long-term companion. The soft strumming sweetness arrives in an effortlessly catchy chorus that proves more enticing than Pringles. (4/5)

Role Model and Lizzy McAlpine – ‘So Far Gone’: Two of the biggest names to note in the world of indie pop have teamed up here as Role Model and Lizzy McAlpine to create something beautiful. ‘So Far Gone’ is truly the hidden gem on Role Model’s debut album, Kansas no more. (4/5)

Nick Lowe, Los Straitjackets – ‘Different Kind of Blue’: A wise old song from the glory days of AM radio, recorded by one of Britain’s finest songwriters. (4/5)

Los Bitchos – ‘Kiki, You Complete Me’: It’s impossible not to like Los Bitchos unless you hate fun and good vibes. ‘Kiki, You Complete Me’ has the signature energetic, boogie-like sound that will soundtrack ice-cold cocktails this weekend. (4/5)

On the Rise – New Releases to Watch Out For This Week

Pale Jay – ‘The Garden’: One of music’s many masked crusaders of late, Pale Jay plows through with his modern soulful R&B. It may not be his best vocal take yet, but the groove remains serene. (4/5)

Paris Paloma – ‘The Warmth’: Since her single ‘Labour’ crashed, Paris Paloma has been on a rocket ride to the top. But with every new track, she proves why she deserves it. ‘The Warmth’ is no different, with vibrant folk-horror vibes and delicious sonic layering. (4/5)

Bby – ‘Kinky’: Bby may have made a solid contribution to the song of the summer with this infectious indie bop that goes head-to-head with an energetic guitar line that begs to be put on repeat. (4/5)

Fat Dog – ‘Wither’: For festival goers across Europe, prepare for this track to soundtrack scenes of total and utter carnage during Fat Dog’s live sets. Delivering more unrelenting power that captures the band’s unruly energy, it’s exactly what their rabid fans are desperately looking for. (4/5)

Imogen and the Knife – ‘Parisian Night’: A Geordie just wrote the best song about Paris since Francois Hardy in the 60s. This track should be on romantic French playlists everywhere and provide a moment of cinematic escapism. (3.5/5)

Martin Luke Brown – ‘Tug of War’: A heartbreak track is nothing new, but every now and then a new one comes along that stands out. Martin Luke Brown’s new contribution to the genre is so beautiful, with sharp, heartbreaking lyrics and a vocal performance that feels brutally honest. If you’ve just had a breakout, be careful… (4/5)

October and the Eyes – ‘Rubber Gloves’: October and the Eyes’ new EP feels like a textbook example of the greatness that comes from an artist with a clear vision who is left alone to bring it to life. “Rubber Gloves” is a real standout, with the energy of Patti Smith, PJ Harvey, and all the other great women of punk. (4.5/5)

ELLiS-D – ‘Carousel’: David Byrne meets David Bowie in a goth club to dance with Ian Curtis. ELLiS-D’s sound is a culmination of incredible influences, but delivered with an electric freshness. ‘Carousel’ is simply the latest demonstration of his talent. (4/5)

Dutch Mustard – ‘Loser’: Dutch Mustard’s shoegaze sound matched Bill Ryder-Jones’ talent for poetic lyricism for this co-written offering. I’ve heard Dutch Mustard in support slots a few times, but this song deserves the headline spotlight. (3.5/5)

Drug Church – ‘Demolition Man’: On the occasion of the announcement of their fifth album, PrudishAlbany legends Drug Church have released ‘Demolition Man’. Featuring the band’s trademark crunching guitars, catchy melodies and frontman Patrick Kindlon’s tongue-in-cheek social commentary, it’s the first sign that the follow-up to 2022’s Hygiene is to become a star. (4.5/5)

First Spin – Debut Single of the Week

Elliot James Reay – ‘I Guess They Call It Love’: This is definitely not a new debut single in 2024. This is meant to be a crooning 50s track that the girls will be flipping their hair and screaming to. Elliot James Reay was born in the wrong decade, but sounds just as incredible in this cruel modern world. (4/5)

Off The Beaten Track – Left Field Sounds

Zeca Pagodinho, Seu Jorge – ‘Saudade Louca’: A shot of tequila, a dash of triple sec and lime, all shaken with ice and poured into a salt-rimmed glass. That’s what this song sounds like. (4/5)

Emilia Sisco, Cold Diamond & Mink – ‘Lemon & Lime Sours’: Another summery track from this rising Finnish singer with a song full of retro soul energy. (3/5)

Listen to the Big Indie Playlist:

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