Crucial Releases: August 29 + September 5
Back-to-school busyness got in the way last week, so once again we have a two-week post, highlighting my favorite new music released during that time.
I've got three top tier albums and seven honorable mentions (plus three bonus hip hop releases) for your ears this issue, so let's get into it... there's a little something for everyone this time around.
Double Infinity by Big Thief (Listen)
I was a little late to the Big Thief world – I just didn't understand Masterpiece and Capacity when they were released. In 2019, I started to take notice with their two releases, U.F.O.F and Two Hands. I enjoyed 2022's Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, but it wasn't until maybe a year later when I started paying attention to indie folk, that I really started to appreciate and love Big Thief. All that time wasted! 🤘
Anyway, Double Infinity is a very good record. I don't think it's their best, but that is a high standard to live up to... it's certainly worth your time, however... and I imagine it will do very well on my final Best of 2025 list.
My favorite tracks:
"Words" by Big Thief
"Incomprehensible" by Big Thief
"How Could I Have Known" by Big Thief
"No Fear" by Big Thief
Cutthroat by shame (Listen)
On the other end of the spectrum, shame was very much a favorite of mine starting with their debut, Songs of Praise, released in 2018. I was drawn in by their intense post-punk sounds (think the Fall, Wire, IDLES, The Murder Capital, Fontaines D.C.) and charismatic front man, Charlie Steen, who not only knows how to work a crowd but also a lyrical pen.
On Cutthroat, shame has taken a similar path (but in their own way) as Fontaines D.C. did last year with Romance, upping the melody and writing some of their most catchy tunes yet... long time fans, do not fret, the attitude and intensity is still there, making for one of shame's best albums.
My favorite tracks:
"Spartak" by shame
"Quiet Life" by shame
"Cutthroat" by shame
Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams (Listen)
This may be the last featured release for the issue, but it may be the best... 18 tracks, originally released as singles, which the internet took and got to work attempting to make a playlist with the perfect track order. A couple weeks later, Williams released her selected order as a full-length album.
Williams has one of the best female pop/rock voices going today, not only through her music with Paramore but her solo material as you will see here. The album is high quality, top-to-bottom, and includes some of her best songwriting and lyrics to date. Total ear worms... you have been warned!
My favorite tracks:
"Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party" by Hayley Williams
"Glum" by Hayley Williams
"Mirtazapine" by Hayley Williams
"True Believer" by Hayley Williams
Honorable Mentions
Straight Line Was a Lie by The Beths (Listen)
Aurora by Lathe of Heaven (Listen)
Essex Honey by Blood Orange (Listen)
Animal Poem by Anna Tivel (Listen)
Lonely at the Top by Joey Bada$$ (Listen)
No One Was Driving the Car by La Dispute (Listen)
God's Gonna Give You a Million Dollars by Shallowater (Listen)
A trio of decent hip hop releases to end the post:
- Heels Have Eyes 2 by Westside Gunn (Listen)
- Supreme Clientele 2 by Ghostface Killah (Listen)
- The RE-Up by Rakim (Listen)
MERCH PARTY!
The Crucial Tracks merch store just launched. We have shirts, hoodies, hats, sealed new vinyl, and much more for sale. EVERY purchase goes to paying the bills to keep Crucial Tracks going.
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