New Releases & Staff Picks - 8/1/25
31 Jul 2025
STAFF PICKS
DARIO - Jackie McLean
ASH - Jackie Mitoo reissue
JAKE - Animal Collective and The Armed
KIMBER - Debby Friday and Horace Silver reissue
MARY - Miike Snow reissuse
ZACH - Pool Kids reissues
DREW - Jackie Mitoo reissue
ARMED - Future Is Here And Everything Needs To Be Destroyed CD/LP (Sargent House)
The Armed return with their new album The Future Is Here and Everything Needs to Be Destroyed, the follow up to 2023’s critically acclaimed album Perfect Saviors. After completing a trilogy of albums laser-focused on dissecting artistic authenticity in the Information Age, The Armed began work on new material with no premeditated rules or concepts—favoring only raw expression and urgency to herald a new era for the project. What emerged is a furious and confrontational new album—The Future Is Here and Everything Needs to Be Destroyed. Still genre-defying, yet overtly pissed, it's an unfiltered expression of Weltschmerz, the German term describing the anguish of the world’s reality versus our idealized visions of what it should be. “This record rejects sanitized, G-rated rebellion curated for upper middle-class tastes,” vocalist Tony Wolski explains. “It’s music for a statistically wealthy population that somehow can’t afford food or medicine—endlessly scrolling past vacation photos, gym selfies, and images of child amputees in the same feed. It reflects the dissociation required just to exist in that reality.”
The Armed return with their new album The Future Is Here and Everything Needs to Be Destroyed, the follow up to 2023’s critically acclaimed album Perfect Saviors. After completing a trilogy of albums laser-focused on dissecting artistic authenticity in the Information Age, The Armed began work on new material with no premeditated rules or concepts—favoring only raw expression and urgency to herald a new era for the project. What emerged is a furious and confrontational new album—The Future Is Here and Everything Needs to Be Destroyed. Still genre-defying, yet overtly pissed, it's an unfiltered expression of Weltschmerz, the German term describing the anguish of the world’s reality versus our idealized visions of what it should be. “This record rejects sanitized, G-rated rebellion curated for upper middle-class tastes,” vocalist Tony Wolski explains. “It’s music for a statistically wealthy population that somehow can’t afford food or medicine—endlessly scrolling past vacation photos, gym selfies, and images of child amputees in the same feed. It reflects the dissociation required just to exist in that reality.”
$UICIDEBOY$ - Thy Kingdom Come LP (G59)
2025 release from the New Orleans-based hip hop duo founded by cousins Scrim and Ruby da Cherry.
2025 release from the New Orleans-based hip hop duo founded by cousins Scrim and Ruby da Cherry.
DEBBY FRIDAY - Starrr Of The Queen Of Life - LP (Sub Pop)
[Limited Loser Edition on graphite vinyl.] On her kaleidoscopic second album, The Starrr Of The Queen Of Life, Debby Friday defines success on her own terms. “I want to be a starrr, I can't hide that desire,” she says. “But what I don't want is to live someone else's dream or to follow a pre-set path.” For the Nigerian-Canadian polymath, to be a starrr is to live at the extremes: public versus private, hubris versus humility, flying versus falling.Being a starrr means embracing the apocalyptic hedonism of an all-night rave-finding communion in the dark room, girls in line for the bathroom on the buzzing house anthem ‘All I Wanna Do Is Party.’ It means swapping lines about bottles on ice and getting freaky on the dance floor with Detroit techno prodigies HiTech on In The Club-while admitting that she is, in fact, barely on the dance floor these days. It's the sound of discovering what comes after the kind of success most artists only dream about-how to burn brightly without burning out.
[Limited Loser Edition on graphite vinyl.] On her kaleidoscopic second album, The Starrr Of The Queen Of Life, Debby Friday defines success on her own terms. “I want to be a starrr, I can't hide that desire,” she says. “But what I don't want is to live someone else's dream or to follow a pre-set path.” For the Nigerian-Canadian polymath, to be a starrr is to live at the extremes: public versus private, hubris versus humility, flying versus falling.Being a starrr means embracing the apocalyptic hedonism of an all-night rave-finding communion in the dark room, girls in line for the bathroom on the buzzing house anthem ‘All I Wanna Do Is Party.’ It means swapping lines about bottles on ice and getting freaky on the dance floor with Detroit techno prodigies HiTech on In The Club-while admitting that she is, in fact, barely on the dance floor these days. It's the sound of discovering what comes after the kind of success most artists only dream about-how to burn brightly without burning out.
HER'S - Invitation To Her's LP (Heist Or Hit)
One of the most free spirited and inspired indie rock debuts our island has seen for a while, Her's had seemingly AAA backstage access to styles and eras that made home in their mutant retro-futurist sound. There was always something instantly charismatic about Stephen and Audun which proved pivotal in shooting their jangly, oddball pop into the major leagues. Luminous guitar lines, tremulous dissonant vocals and an arsenal of gorgeous melodies, the collection tilts from rock to bossa nova, surf to garage, 50s ballad to indie classic. Through laughter and art, Her's take us away from the strife of everyday life and into a world that's a surreal reflection of our own, built from the detritus of novelty items in junk shops, bargain bin b-movies and late-night cop shows. Under the facade and strange world of characters and humour there lies a deeper undercurrent, this approach is one of the subtle reasons Her's stand apart and through this vehicle their messages still have the potential to shift perceptions.
One of the most free spirited and inspired indie rock debuts our island has seen for a while, Her's had seemingly AAA backstage access to styles and eras that made home in their mutant retro-futurist sound. There was always something instantly charismatic about Stephen and Audun which proved pivotal in shooting their jangly, oddball pop into the major leagues. Luminous guitar lines, tremulous dissonant vocals and an arsenal of gorgeous melodies, the collection tilts from rock to bossa nova, surf to garage, 50s ballad to indie classic. Through laughter and art, Her's take us away from the strife of everyday life and into a world that's a surreal reflection of our own, built from the detritus of novelty items in junk shops, bargain bin b-movies and late-night cop shows. Under the facade and strange world of characters and humour there lies a deeper undercurrent, this approach is one of the subtle reasons Her's stand apart and through this vehicle their messages still have the potential to shift perceptions.
MIKE / TONY SELTZER - Pinball LP (10K Records)
MIKE & Tony Seltzer unveil the double vinyl edition of Pinball, featuring the first album on disc one, and the recent sequel on disc two. While the original Pinball was beloved by fans and saw a strong critical reception, there was a certain novelty to hearing MIKE rap in such a straightforward manner. The novelty is gone on Pinball II, as MIKE hones his writing and delivers some of the best and most energetic raps of his career. Not to be outdone, Tony's production sounds bigger and bolder than before.
JACKIE MITTOO - Reggae Magic LP (Soul Jazz)
Jackie Mittoo's Reggae Magic is a new collection from the great Jackie Mittoo. The album features a mixture of classic tunes and rarities from the period 1967-74, when Mittoo was at the height of his musical powers. Mittoo's solo career began after the end of The Skatalites in 1965. He began pushing new musical boundaries, creating a uniquely identifiable organ-led funky reggae sound that owed as much to Booker T and The MGs, Jimmy Smith, Stax and Motown as to the post-ska and emergent rocksteady island rhythms of Kingston, Jamaica. His solo work at the legendary Studio One spanned seven albums and hundreds of singles. Aside from producer and founder Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd, it's hard to think of anyone more central to the sound and success of Studio One than Mittoo; keyboard player extraordinaire, songwriter, arranger, musician, truly the Keyboard King at Studio One.
Jackie Mittoo's Reggae Magic is a new collection from the great Jackie Mittoo. The album features a mixture of classic tunes and rarities from the period 1967-74, when Mittoo was at the height of his musical powers. Mittoo's solo career began after the end of The Skatalites in 1965. He began pushing new musical boundaries, creating a uniquely identifiable organ-led funky reggae sound that owed as much to Booker T and The MGs, Jimmy Smith, Stax and Motown as to the post-ska and emergent rocksteady island rhythms of Kingston, Jamaica. His solo work at the legendary Studio One spanned seven albums and hundreds of singles. Aside from producer and founder Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd, it's hard to think of anyone more central to the sound and success of Studio One than Mittoo; keyboard player extraordinaire, songwriter, arranger, musician, truly the Keyboard King at Studio One.
POOL KIDS - Pool Kids LP [Reissue/2022] (Skeletal Lightning)
Pool Kids are energy. Raw, sporadic, and indisputably authentic, the four piece's 2022 self-titled album fuses math-rock familiarities with a wave of indie rock angst. Recorded in Seattle by Mike Davis, Pool Kids is the first studio album to include the full band. The record explores regeneration from trauma, heartbreak, and culture. Vocalist Christine Goodwyne reaches into the depths of shared existence, unifying a genre-less fanbase and shattering the wall between performer and listener.
Pool Kids are energy. Raw, sporadic, and indisputably authentic, the four piece's 2022 self-titled album fuses math-rock familiarities with a wave of indie rock angst. Recorded in Seattle by Mike Davis, Pool Kids is the first studio album to include the full band. The record explores regeneration from trauma, heartbreak, and culture. Vocalist Christine Goodwyne reaches into the depths of shared existence, unifying a genre-less fanbase and shattering the wall between performer and listener.
WAVVES - Spun - LP (Ghost Ramp)
Wavves recently made a long-awaited return with their first new music since 2021 - the band returns with their new album Spun and extensive North American tour dates. Like Nathan Williams' earliest music, this album first took shape in a small shed behind his parents' house known as the hideaway. It's the place where Williams made some of his earliest albums, before he became known for his uncanny ability to write songs that sneered at the world while evoking pathos, sympathy, and a deep understanding of how sometimes we're our own worst enemies, and that can be okay.
Wavves recently made a long-awaited return with their first new music since 2021 - the band returns with their new album Spun and extensive North American tour dates. Like Nathan Williams' earliest music, this album first took shape in a small shed behind his parents' house known as the hideaway. It's the place where Williams made some of his earliest albums, before he became known for his uncanny ability to write songs that sneered at the world while evoking pathos, sympathy, and a deep understanding of how sometimes we're our own worst enemies, and that can be okay.
MATES OF STATE - Bring It Back LP Reissue (BARSUK)
The only vinyl pressing of Mates of State's classic album Bring It Back has been out of print for over a decade. Barsuk Records is excited to announce this new color vinyl edition, just in time for the band's 2025 tour.
The only vinyl pressing of Mates of State's classic album Bring It Back has been out of print for over a decade. Barsuk Records is excited to announce this new color vinyl edition, just in time for the band's 2025 tour.
MIIKE SNOW - Miike Snow LP (Year0001)
2009's Miike Snow includes the RIAA Platinum-certified hit ‘Animal,’ as well as hits ‘Silvia’ and ‘Black & Blue.’ These tracks made their way into iconic series Gossip Girl and 90210, as well as Grand Theft Auto IV among others.
2009's Miike Snow includes the RIAA Platinum-certified hit ‘Animal,’ as well as hits ‘Silvia’ and ‘Black & Blue.’ These tracks made their way into iconic series Gossip Girl and 90210, as well as Grand Theft Auto IV among others.
CHARLES KYNARD - Woga LP [Reissue/1972] (Wewantsounds)
Wewantsounds reissues Charles Kynard's 1972 cult classic Woga, recorded in Los Angeles for Mainstream Records and featuring top-tier musicians Chuck Rainey, Paul Humphrey, Arthur Adams, and George Bohanon. Produced by Bob Shad, the album stands as one of the label's funkiest releases, showcasing Kynard's signature Hammond organ grooves. Woga is reissued here on vinyl for the first time since its original release, complete with its original gatefold artwork using first-generation session photos. This edition comes with newly remastered audio plus a two-page insert featuring new liner notes by Kevin Le Gendre.
Wewantsounds reissues Charles Kynard's 1972 cult classic Woga, recorded in Los Angeles for Mainstream Records and featuring top-tier musicians Chuck Rainey, Paul Humphrey, Arthur Adams, and George Bohanon. Produced by Bob Shad, the album stands as one of the label's funkiest releases, showcasing Kynard's signature Hammond organ grooves. Woga is reissued here on vinyl for the first time since its original release, complete with its original gatefold artwork using first-generation session photos. This edition comes with newly remastered audio plus a two-page insert featuring new liner notes by Kevin Le Gendre.
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - Love On The Big Screen 7” (Domino)
‘Love On the Big Screen’ and ‘Buddies On the Blackboard’ were produced by Avey Tare and Adam McDaniel, engineered and mixed by McDaniel at his Drop of Sun Studios in Asheville, North Carolina, and mastered by Dave Cooley.
‘Love On the Big Screen’ and ‘Buddies On the Blackboard’ were produced by Avey Tare and Adam McDaniel, engineered and mixed by McDaniel at his Drop of Sun Studios in Asheville, North Carolina, and mastered by Dave Cooley.
HORACE SILVER - Tokyo Blues (Blue Note Tone Poet Edition) LP [Reissue/1962] (Blue Note Records) The Horace Silver's 1962 tour of Japan had a deep impact on the pianist who dedicated his album The Tokyo Blues to his Japanese fans. With his quintet of Blue Mitchell, Junior Cook, Gene Taylor & John Harris Jr., Silver combined a Japanese feeling in the melodies with the Latin feeling in the rhythms. This stereo Blue Note Tone Poet Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.
SUNN O / BORIS - Altar LP (Southern Lord)
Repressed On Vinyl At Last! The 2005 Collaborative Doom Opus Album That Started It All. Contains 16 page libretto and 18”x24” full color poster of sunn O))) & Boris. Liner notes by: Kim Thayil (Soundgarden guitar guru)
Repressed On Vinyl At Last! The 2005 Collaborative Doom Opus Album That Started It All. Contains 16 page libretto and 18”x24” full color poster of sunn O))) & Boris. Liner notes by: Kim Thayil (Soundgarden guitar guru)
JACKIE MCLEAN - Jacknife (Blue Note Tone Poet Edition) LP [Reissue/1965] (Blue Note Records)
Jackie McLean's evocative 1965 album Jacknife captured the saxophonist in a post-bop mode with trumpeters Lee Morgan and Charles Tolliver, pianist Larry Willis, bassist Larry Ridley, and drummer Jack DeJohnette. McLean's fiery sound ignites modal explorations, churning rhythms, and hard bop grooves. This stereo Blue Note Tone Poet Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.
COMING NEXT WEEK!
ETHEL CAIN - Willoughby Tucker… CD/LP/CASS
FONTAINES DC - Romance Deluxe LP+7” Reissue
TEETHE - Magic Of The Sale CD/LP/CASS
CHARLEY CROCKETT - Dollar A Day CD/LP
BLACK KEYS - No Rain No Flowers CD/LP
SONGS:OHIA - Impala LP
GRACIE ABRAMS - Minor LP Reissue
BEACH BUNNY - Tunnel Vision CD/LP Reissue
ANAMANAGUCHI - Anyway LP
FIELD MEDIC - Surrender Instead LP
DANIEL JOHNSTON - Love Lives Forever LP
WOMBO - Danger in Fives LP
ADA LEA - when i paint my masterpiece CD/LP
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