If you are curious about new albums by Blake Shelton, Maren Morris and Kali Uchis, you have come to the wrong place. If, on the other hand, you want to know more about upcoming releases by Bronson Arm, Butthole Surfers and Dope Lemon, read on. Here are your plays of the week:
The Amazons
21st Century Fiction
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Amazons are back. After a huge Top 5 record with 2022’s How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me?, the band have returned with 21st Century Fiction: Their darkest and most heartfelt record to date. 21st Century Fiction is the sound of a man in his late 20s, struggling with unrealistic ideals of masculinity and a sense of unfulfilled promise, surrounded by a world plagued by chaos. The record “comes from the frustration of being in that place where my 20s were ending and being really cognizant of that,” says Matthew Thomson, of that spot where the adolescent dream collapses under “self-flagellation; always wondering what’s around the corner, always scolding myself for not matching up to some unattainable ideals of what it means to be a successful band or even just a man.” These were songs that Thomson needed to write, not just to lift himself from the doldrums but for a generation of young males with the same struggles.” 21st Century Fiction also signals the emergence of The Amazons’ bold new sound — still loaded with riffs and roaring with aggression, but packed with a whole new level of introspection, energy and grandiose. With three huge Top 10 records and sold out shows across the globe under their belts, The Amazons are facing their futures: Fired up and ready to go.”
Arcade Fire
Pink Elephant
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Pink Elephant is the seventh studio album by Arcade Fire, (Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Jeremy Gara, Tim Kingsbury and Richard Reed Parry). Composed of 10 new tracks of cinematic mystical punk and clocking in at 42 minutes, Pink Elephant is produced by Butler, Chassagne and Daniel Lanois, and was recorded at Win and Régine’s Good News Recording Studio in New Orleans. The term “pink elephant” refers to that paradoxical effect where the effort to suppress a thought leads to it being impossible to avoid. When experienced in its entirety, Pink Elephant invites the listener on a sonic odyssey — a quest for life — that exists within the perception of the individual, a meditation on both darkness and light, the beauty within. The layers of this condensed epic unfold to reveal new dimensions with each successive listen.”
Behemoth
The Shit Ov God
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Behemoth have always been known for not shying away from controversy, and they most certainly remain true to this approach with their 13th full-length The Shit Ov God. Here’s a band that, 34 years in, is releasing its most inflammatory and extreme record to date. Eight songs that go into the fathoms of humanity, divinity and what defiance means in an age where individuality is prized but everyone is clinging to their saviors. Musically, politically, or otherwise. The title of the album is in line with those sensibilities. Intentionally polarizing, founder and frontman Nergal says “We chose this provocative title deliberately, rejecting subtlety in favor of a direct and polarizing statement. It’s a defiant plunge into the depths, daring to seek the absolute even in the gutter. I’ve reached a point in Behemoth’s journey and my own creativity where words and statements mean less and less. The true essence of who we are and what we stand for lies in our music, our art, our visuals, our sounds, our performances, and the ways we connect with you. I deeply believe Behemoth represents transcendent, timeless art.
The number 13 — so magical and significant. If this were to be our final album, I could say I die a proud man. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the most refined, purest representation of Behemoth. No filler, no excess — just the very best we have to offer, handed to you.”
Bronson Arm
Casket Schwagg
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “From Kalamazoo, Michigan, Bronson Arm is the partnership of Blake Bickel and Garrett Yates. Using only voice, drums, and baritone guitar, the pair hammers out a glorious, deconstructed racket that penetrates deep. Says Bickel: “I’ve always liked the limitations and being forced to fill a space with only two instruments. I feel there is an immediacy and focus that can be unique to two-piece bands.” Together, Bickel and Yates lock into machine-like unison. The attack is percussive and clean, the impact is instant. As Bickel puts it, “When there are drums and only one other instrument, the kick and snare hit hard!” Crystal clear and thunderous, unburdened by any extra layers of sound, Bronson Arm’s stripped-down sound goes for the throat. And like a third, unnamed band member, the space within the duo’s sparse arrangements has a power all its own.”
Butthole Surfers
Live At The Leather Fly
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Live At The Leather Fly documents Butthole Surfers’ legendary live show. Mixed by guitarist Paul Leary, the album channels their ferocious stage energy into a speaker bursting cacophony across 21 unrelenting songs including fan favorites from Human Cannonball to The Annoying Song. The title comes from a bit of band lore, says Leary “Back in the ’80s, Gibby used to fantasize about a nightclub called The Leather Fly. He wanted it to have a stuffed leather fly hanging in front of it. There were two [fictional] competing promoters on the scene, Steak Watson and Lady Corn Wilson.”
Counting Crows
Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Following the 2021 release of Butter Miracle, Suite One, comes the full album — Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets! The album consists of the four tracks from Suite One, plus five new tracks. Adam Duritz and Counting Crows released Butter Miracle, Suite One in May 2021 to rave reviews. The band also kicked off their first tour since 2018, ‘The Butter Miracle Tour’ from 2021 through 2023, with sell-out performances across North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. For more than two decades, the Grammy and Oscar-nominated Counting Crows have enchanted listeners worldwide with their intensely soulful and intricate take on timeless rock ’n’ roll. Exploding onto the scene in 1993 with their multiplatinum breakout album, August And Everything After, they have gone on to release seven studio albums, selling more than 20 million records worldwide, and are revered as one of the world’s most pre-eminent live touring rock bands.”
Dope Lemon
Golden Wolf
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Blending introspective reflection with expansive sonic landscapes, Golden Wolf offers a unique fusion of indie rock and psychedelic soul, showcasing Dope Lemon at his most honest and vulnerable yet. The album invites listeners to ponder the choices they’ve made, the roads they’ve left behind, and the ones still waiting ahead. Following four previous studio albums — including the ARIA-nominated Kimosabè — Golden Wolf peels back layers of memory and imagination, creating a rich, evocative experience. About Dope Lemon: Since debuting in 2016 with the critically acclaimed album Honey Bones, Dope Lemon — the moniker of acclaimed Australian artist Angus Stone — has cultivated a reputation for pairing dreamy, laid-back grooves with deeply introspective lyricism. Dope Lemon’s rich, immersive soundscapes have struck a chord with audiences across the globe.”
Empty Bones
Speed, Commitment And Luck
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “What took you so long?” nobody ever asked Empty Bones. But one could, because it took them about 10 years to record their first full length effort. There are reasons! Some are good, some are bad and some are ugly or so… Maybe you, dear listener, might be able to find out some of the reasons while following the songs of this record. Accuracy, the starter, is a pulsating song about the struggles of facing the expectations of our society while absolutely neither feeling able nor willing to match any of them. Then there are songs like Drop In, Drop Out and Drunk about sabotaging oneself by drowning in an ocean of beers. You might find your heart and soul in this — or just enjoy that gritty, groovy rock ’n’ soul music. Lord knows we do both.”
Focused
Devil’s Kiss EP
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Experience the raw power and intensity of Devil’s Kiss, the long-awaited reissue from legendary early ’90s Southern California Christian hardcore band Focused. Originally recorded during a brief reunion in April 2000 by producer Bob Waddington, this 3-song EP captures the band at their darkest and heaviest, showcasing their signature blend of crushing riffs, relentless energy, and unflinching lyrical depth. Featuring the iconic lineup of Tim Mann on vocals, Dirk Lemmenes on bass, Mike Merryman and Jason Parker on guitars, and Adam Valles on drums, Devil’s Kiss is a testament to Focused’s enduring influence in the hardcore scene. Previously only available as MP3s, these tracks have been completely remixed and mastered in January 2025 by Steven Dail (Project 86), delivering a refreshed and sonically devastating listening experience. Packaged with brand new artwork created by former guitarist Andrew Reizuch, this release is a must-have for fans of hardcore, metal, and the underground Christian music scene.”
The Head & The Heart
Aperture
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “As The Head & The Heart toured behind their 2022 album Every Shade Of Blue, Jonathan Russell realized something needed to change inside the band he had cofounded a dozen years earlier: The entire songwriting process. At the start of the last decade, with their self-titled debut, they’d bloomed at the fertile intersection of indie rock and folk-rock like some rare flower. That early band energy faded a bit since. On stage, they could all feel it: A slight disconnect from the songs and one another. The Head & The Heart needed a restart. Aperture — their sixth album — is the affirming result of that realization. After working with a string of marquee producers on their previous three albums, the six members took the lessons they’d learned into studios, patiently shaping and self-producing a record that satisfied no one but themselves. More important, though, they tossed out the codex that dictated who did what. After leading so much of the songwriting during the last decade, Russell ceded that role to everyone, shooing away siloed work for a highly collaborative approach where everyone hatched tunes together in a room or passed ideas between coasts. Some members wrote and sang for the first time; others redoubled their commitments and contributions. More than any other record ever by The Head & The Heart, Aperture feels like the work of a real band. With every song fortified by the sense of beginning again, Aperture is The Head & The Heart’s most vital and poignant album. It is the best work they’ve ever done.”
I’m With Her
Wild And Clear And Blue
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “With the 2014 formation of I’m With Her, singer-songwriters Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins introduced an essential new force into the world of folk music: A close-knit alliance of highly esteemed musicians, each graced with a deep understanding of folk tradition and unbridled passion for expanding its possibilities. Since delivering their critically lauded debut See You Around and standalone singles like Call My Name (winner of the 2020 Grammy for Best American Roots Song), the trio have routinely taken time out from their individual careers to dream up songs together — eventually arriving at a new album exploring themes of ancestry, lineage, and the collective human experience. On their long-awaited sophomore LP Wild and Clear and Blue, I’m With Her now bring their luminous harmonies to a soul-searching body of work about reaching into the past, navigating a chaotic present, and bravely moving forward into the unknown.”
In Covert
Bleak Machinery
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Beneath the neon haze of Los Angeles, In Covert emerged — not with a bang, but with a pulse. Formed in 2019 by guitarist and synth artist Wes Lopez as an outlet for ambient loops and drone experiments, the project began as a solo ritual before evolving into a full band. The pandemic halted early momentum, but also catalyzed a transformation: the sound turned darker, more mechanical, more haunted. By late 2022, Wes reconnected with long-time collaborator and drummer Oscar Ruvalcaba, and their chemistry reignited the project. In 2023, the addition of vocalist Kris Balocca — bringing range, fury, and magnetic presence — helped In Covert find its voice. Rounding out the live lineup in 2024 with bassist Victor Gutierrez , the band quickly solidified its presence in the L.A. underground. Describing In Covert’s style is like trying to catalog a fever dream. It’s part deathrock, industrial metal, post-punk, and shoegaze, filtered through a VHS tape of The X-Files and scored by Godflesh and The Cure.”
Kal-El
Astral Voyager Vol. 1
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Set the controls for the infinite expanse with staggering new epic Astral Voyager from Kal-EL. Formed in Stavanger, Norway in 2012, Kal-El established themselves as a unique force in the international heavy underground, blending Scandinavian desert-style rock, classic metal, psychedelia and doom elements with ambitious sci-fi themes. After a profuse series of mind-expanding journeys through spacetime (five albums and three EPs from 2013 to 2023), the band are back with the most significant milestone in their multi-dimensional journey yet. Astral Voyager Vol. 1 tells the saga of intergalactic bounty hunter Mica, who trades in taking down the scum of the universe while dodging The Nine, a control-obsessed consortium that seeks to dominate her as they do the rest of the cosmos. Traveling and bringing in her marks, Mica’s journey is a story of hope, individuality and searching for meaning in the unknown.”
