First Listen: New Releases for 8 August 2025
Album: Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You
Quick Thoughts: Putting aside any "Ethel Cain Discourse," this is the second record of theirs in a trilogy of conceptual albums, and this is just a glorious slowcore treatise that stuck with me like few albums have of late. There are several outstanding themes throughout, and the interplay between "Nettles" (a brilliant piece of songwriting) and the closing ambient-lite "Radio Towers" is just gorgeous. Do not miss this one.
Songs of Note: "Fuck Me Eyes," "Waco, Texas," "Radio Towers," "Nettles"
Album: Magic of the Sale
Quick Thoughts: I did not know Teethe prior to this week, but I have to love a band that wears its influences proudly (and in some cases, like "Iron Wine," overtly so). This is a great alt-indie record with a lot going for it and deserves to find a lot of ears and a lot of new fans. A great listen.
Songs of Note: "Holy Water," "Iron Wine," "Funny," "Build and Crash"
Album: Catcher
Quick Thoughts: I also didn't know Siichaq until this week, and this album grabbed me and wouldn't let go. A lovely singer-songwriter record with songs like "Catcher" and "Cannibal," it's like the best parts of the boygenius cinematic universe crossed over with Laura Stevenson-style songwriting. Make time.
Songs of Note: "World Equestrian Center," "Catcher," "Cannibal," "I Should've Brought My Jacket"
Album: Pressing Onward
Quick Thoughts: Your two co-bloggers here are not religious at all. There is no reason for me to enjoy a Big Freedia gospel album, but here we are: this is a fun, joyous affair that is very clear as to what it's about and yet still brings that Big Freedia flavor to the entire thing. I was so into this it's kind of ridiculous, and if anything, it has absolutely destroyed a number of my internal biases against gospel as a genre. This is worth a listen this week, religious or not. You won't be disappointed.
Songs of Note: "Revival," "Holy Shuffle," "Pew"
Of note:
* BABYMETAL - METAL FORTH (Fun record with a ton of good collaborations.)
* Ashley Monroe - Tennessee Lightning (Really solid country record.)
* Anamanaguchi - Anyway (Chiptuners go midwest emo at the American Football house.)
* Joshua Josue - Beneath the Sand
* T. Hardy Morris - Artificial Tears
* Animals in Exile - Animals in Exile
* Valesuchi - Future Cercano
* Ada Rook - Unkillable Angel
* Ada Lea - when i paint my masterpiece
* Gordi - Like Plasticine
* Ninajirachi - I Love My Computer
* Osees - Abomination Revealed
* ilya - Weeping Angel
* Rye Valley - Consonants
* deadbeatdad - What Control Feels Like
* Charley Crockett - Dollar a Day
* Leo Chadburn - Sleep in the Shadow of the Alternator
* No Joy - Bugland
* Poly and Tima - Day and Night
* Origami Ghosts - A fine time to talk about nothing
* Meitei - Sen'nyu
* Field Medic - surrender instead
* Hayes Carll - We're Only Human
* Beach Bunny - Tunnel Vision
* The Black Keys - No Rain, No Flowers
* Meg Washington - Gem
EPs:
* Ayesha Erotica - precum (Her first real release in ages.)
* August, Yours Truly - Lovers EP
* Washed Out - Tus
* Monster Florence - JONNY
* Hamish Hawk - So Hard
* Westside Cowboy - This Better Be Something Good
Also out:
* John Cale - MiXology (volume 1)
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