I’m still on a Madonnamania high from the release of Madonna’s CONFESSIONS II, but there have been other releases since. In this week’s instalment of What’s Going On, I have another fresh batch of tracks ready to soundtrack your week. From boundary-pushing Aussie rockers to sultry R&B and everything in between, these tracks need to be on your radar. Hit play and discover your next obsession. As always, if you dig what you hear, be sure to follow and stream these artists.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Always down for a good time, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard return with the announcement of their new album, Alien Metal. Due out later this summer, the project is another fearless left turn from one of rock’s most restlessly inventive bands. Lead single “Level 5” dives headfirst into pounding techno, hardcore and jungle, transforming the Aussie psych-rock favourites into full-blown electronic anarchists. Equal parts punishing and party, it’s a thrilling glimpse at what could be their wildest reinvention yet. Get into it!
Listen to King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s new single “Level 5” below.
Gene Noble – Never let anyone tell you R&B is dead. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Gene Noble has never been short on vocal firepower, and “Undertones” is a stunning reminder of why he’s one of modern R&B’s most gifted voices. Noble delivers effortless runs, soul-stirring emotion and undeniable charm on a track that celebrates love’s quiet details. “Undertones” serves as the first taste of what listeners can expect from Noble’s highly anticipated forthcoming album.
Listen to Gene Noble’s new single “Undertones” below.
Suki Waterhouse – Multifaceted Suki Waterhouse continues to blossom as a songwriter on Loveland, a lush indie-pop album that finds the singer-actress exploring identity, motherhood and personal transformation with a vulnerability that belies her glamorous Hollywood image. If you watched Daisy Jones & The Six, you know Waterhouse has vocal chops. Her own material is full of dreamy melodies and cinematic production. The new album reaffirms Waterhouse as one of indie pop’s most captivating and quietly adventurous voices.
Listen to Suki Waterhouse’s new single “Notting Hill” below.
Medium Build – Medium Build kicks off his next chapter with the stirring new single “Armor,” the lead single from his forthcoming album King of Having Fun. Blending raw introspection with big, heartland-leaning indie rock, the artist, also known as Nick Carpenter, continues to sharpen his gift for mining emotional honesty and turning it into anthems. If “Armor” is any indication, King of Having Fun could be his most ambitious record yet. So raw, so human.
Listen to Medium Build’s new single “Armor” below.
The Upsides – New York indie rock outfit The Upsides turn it up to 11 on “Say Follow,” a hard-driving, guitar-fuelled anthem that wrestles with ambition, self-reliance and the quiet cost of refusing to ask for help. Packed with soaring hooks and a relentlessly infectious chorus, the band continues its evolution toward a bigger, bolder sound. Are they heading more commercial? If they are, they haven’t sacrificed the melodic instincts that made them so compelling in the first place.
Listen to The Upsides’ new single “Say Follow” below.
