New Releases & Staff Picks - 9/26/25

STAFF PICKS
 DARIO - Tom Skinner and Cate Le Bon
ASH - Automatic
 JAKE - Geese, Tom Skinner and Sam Prekop
KIMBER - Neko Case and Sam Prekop
MARY - Neko Case 
ZACH - Geckos, Lady Wray 
DREW - Karol G and Haruomi Hosono

NEKO CASE - Neon Grey Midnight Green CD/LP/IEX (ANTI-) 
As if cosmically enacted, Neko Case breaks to the surface once again with the new album Neon Grey Midnight Green and reminds listeners that she is one of our greatest living songwriters - perpetually becoming more fearless and adventurous. Arriving September 26, the GRAMMY-nominated iconoclast's ninth LP is self-produced and her biggest-sounding and most intimate-feeling release yet.

GEESE - Getting Killed CD/LP/IEX (Partisan Records)  
Geese return with their 3rd album, Getting Killed. They tracked the album with Kenneth Blume in 10 fast-paced days. With scant time for overdubbing, what emerged is a chaotic comedy, shambolic in structure but passionately performed, informed by an exacting vision. Big riffs are layered on choir samples; hissing drum machines pulse softly behind screeching guitars. They balance a disarming tenderness with an intensified anger, trading their love of classic rock for a disdain for music itself.

MEAT PUPPETS - Too High To Die LP [REISSUE/1984] (UMG)  
Too High To Die is the classic 1994 album by Meat Puppets, featuring the alternative rock hit, ‘Backwater.’ Produced by Paul Leary, the audio has been remastered from the original 1/4 production master tape. This original LP sequence differs from the CD.

CATE LE BON - Michelango Dying CD/LP (Mexican Summer) 
It's creation led by pure emotion, Cate Le Bon's seventh record Michelangelo Dying usurped the album she thought she was making. The product of all-consuming heartache, her feelings overrode her reluctance to write an album about love, and in the process became a kind of exorcism. What emerges is a wonderfully iridescent attempt to photograph a wound before it closes up but which in doing so, picks at it too. Musically, there is a continuation and expansion of a sound a machine with a heart that has taken shape over her last two records (2019s Reward and 2022s Pompeii) as Le Bon has increasingly taken control of the playing and producing herself. As guitars and saxophones are pushed through pedals and percussion and voices are fed through filters, an iridescent, green and silky sound emerges, with flashes of the artistic singularities of David Bowie, Nico, John McGeoch and Laurie Anderson surfacing and disappearing below the waterline throughout.

SYDNEY SPRAGUE - Peak Experience LP (Sydney Sprague)
Peak Experience is the third studio album from Phoenix songwriter Sydney Sprague, the follow up to 2023’s somebody In hell loves you and and 2021’s maybe I will see you at the end of the world. Sydney and her band kick off their fall headlining tour with an album release show at Stinkweeds on Friday, September 26th, and supporting Phoenix legends The Format at their sold out show on Saturday, September 27th.

AIR - Virgin Suicides Redux CD/LP [Reissue/2000] (Rhino)
The Virgin Suicides, Air's second album and the evocative soundtrack to Sofia Coppola's directorial debut is reissued as The Virgin Suicides Redux for it's 25th anniversary. A brand-new analogic mix of the original album deepens and updates the haunting and beautiful soundscapes that have only grown in stature over the years, much like the cult classic film it accompanies. The Virgin Suicides Redux is available as a full analog Vinyl album and as a 2-CD/Blu-ray digipack comprised of the new 2025 analog mix, a spatial audio (Dolby Atmos) Blu-Ray of the album alongside a selection of previously unheard rarities and demos.

AIR  - Premiere Symptomes  LP (Reissue/1997)
The debut EP by French electronic duo Air, Premiers Symptômes is the precursor to the globally renowned Moon Safari. Premiers Symptômes offers a glimpse of what was to come, consisting of singles issued between 1995 and 1997. 

POLYGON WINDOW - Surfing On Sine Waves LP [Reissue/1993] (Warp Records) 
Originally released in 1993, Surfing On Sine Waves is the second album released under the Warp Artificial Intelligence series (the series also includes the two titular compilations, as well as contributions by Autechre, The Black Dog, F.U.S.E. and more).
Surfing On Sine Waves is also the sole album released under Richard D. James’ (aka Aphex Twin's) Polygon Window alias. The name “Polygon Window” originally appeared as a track name under Richard D. James’ other pseudonym The Dice Man, as the track title for his submission on Artificial Intelligence.

RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE - Bones CD/IEX (Atlantic)  
Genre-bending live sensations Rainbow Kitten Surprise present their most collaborative and quintessentially Rainbow Kitten Surprise work yet on their new full length album, bones. Working once again with producer Jay Joyce (Lainey Wilson, Orville Peck, Cage the Elephant) for the first time since 2018's How To: Friend, Love, Freefall, the record is both an incredible return to form and distinct elevation from their previous releases. After last year's return with Love Hate Music Box, the North Carolina quartet's first record in 6 years, RKS continue to prove themselves as one of the industry's most exciting acts across the 10 captivating tracks of bones.

LADY WRAY - Cover Girl CD/LP/CASS (Big Crown) Lady Wray makes her highly anticipated return with Cover Girl, her third album on Big Crown Records. The album opener ‘My Best Step’ says it all, my next step is my best step, and indeed she is taking her artistry to a new high and making the best music of her life. The celebratory Cover Girl takes listeners on a free-spirited joyride glittered with '60s and '70s-inspired soul and disco, '90s hip-hop and R&B, and perhaps the most defining element, gospel.

AUTECHRE - Quaristice LP [Reissue/2008] (Warp)
AUTECHRE - Untitled LP [Reissue/2005] (Warp)  
Autechre continue their chronological series of LP reissues with the albums Untilted (2005) and Quaristice (2008). Neither of these albums have been repressed since their original release and have been widely unavailable for over 15 years.

AUTOMATIC - Is It Now? CD/LP (Stones Throw)  
The third album from Automatic, Is It Now? sees the Los Angeles trio hone their sound, pairing topical, irreverent lyrics with danceable “deviant pop” songs. Produced by Loren Humphrey (Arctic Monkeys, Cameron Winter), Is It Now? is Automatic’s boldest and most urgent music to date.

SIGUR ROS - Takk CD/LP [Reissue/2005] (Krunk)  
Digitally remastered 20th Anniversary edition. Sigur Rós reissue Takk on their own label Krunk. Their award winning highly lauded 4th studio album features the singles and fan favourites ‘Glósóli,’ ‘Hoppípolla’ and ‘Sæglópur.’ Takk has been out of print for over a decade in the UK and is sold out world-wide. The record went Platinum in the UK and gold in the US. Takk was the one where they finally got happy, albeit in their own inimitable and deeply inscrutable, north Atlantic way.

SUNDAYS - Blind LP [Reissue/1992]  (Geffen Records)  
Blind, the sophomore album by The Sundays, was originally released in 1992 on Geffen Records and features the singles, ‘Love’ and ‘Goodbye.’

BRIGHT EYES - Kids Table 12" (Dead Oceans) 
Sit at the Kids Table. Go to prom. Try a new SSRI. Deface a mural. Flip the mattress. Help a bird. Dissociate. Last vacation. These landmark occasions are inscribed on the board-game-inspired cover of the new Bright Eyes EP, Kids Table. And therein lies the chiaroscuro of Bright Eyes' music, perpetually teetering between rogue optimism and pragmatic despair. Following the band's 2024 visceral and hook-filled Five Dice, All Threes, the new EP exists as both a partner-in-crime to that album, and a self-contained world all of it's own. While many of these new songs emerged from the same recording sessions at Omaha's ARC Studios as Five Dice, they didn't all quite fit the concise cohesion of that album. So it was always the plan of Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nate Walcott to find another seat for these outliers at the proverbial kids table, eaten off the ironing board like we did at our big family holidays, jokes Oberst, in a nod to the EP's cover art.

POOL KIDS - Easier Said Than Done CD/LP (Epitaph)  
Tallahassee's Pool Kids are turning up the heat with Easier Said Than Done, their electrifying new album dropping September 26 via Epitaph Records. Kicking things off with the punchy, addictive lead single of the same name, the band showcases a sharpened edge to their signature blend of math rock intricacy and indie-pop charm. Following the critical success of their 2022 self-titled album-hailed by Paste, Stereogum, and Consequence-Pool Kids have been making waves on the road with the likes of Soccer Mommy, PUP, Joyce Manor, and most recently, Beach Bunny. Easier Said Than Done finds the band leveling up in every way, delivering explosive energy, emotional depth, and undeniable hooks that cement their place as one of the most exciting acts in indie rock today.

GECKOS - Geckos CD/LP (Org) 
Geckøs is the collective spirit of acclaimed songwriter M. Ward, Giant Sand visionary Howe Gelb, and Irish multi-instrumentalist McKowski. Born out of an impromptu recording session that was sparked by an encounter at the wedding of a mutual friend, the project blends the rich flavors of the Southwest with indie folk, Spanish influences, and a touch of desert mysticism. While initial recordings took place in Tucson, it became a true transatlantic project when the members returned to their hometowns and continued trading ideas. The trio eventually regrouped in studios across Ireland, London, and Bristol, where renowned English producer John Parish mixed multiple tracks. Geckøs' self-titled debut is steeped in story, spontaneity, and surreal charm, channeling the spirit of three singular voices discovering a new, shared musical language.

PURITY RING - Purity Ring CD/LP (The Fellowship) Purity Ring's self-titled fourth album marks the beginning of a bold new era, the duo have crafted a concept album that serves as the soundtrack to an imagined RPG. Inspired by games like Nier Automata and Final Fantasy X, the record tells the story of two hapless characters - embodiments of James and Roddick- on a journey to build a kinder world amid the ruins of a broken one. Roddick reaches into his deepest musical memories to sculpt euphoric, otherworldly soundscapes of vintage digital synths, classical guitar, pan flutes, breakbeats, and haunted vocoders. Along with her unmistakeable sound, James has unlocked an arsenal of vocal deliveries and a joyous, dizzying stream of consciousness in her words. Here with their first self-titled and self-released LP, Purity Ring steps fully into a dream they've been circling for years-one that feels vast, unrestrained, and true to who they've become.

CARRTOONS - Space Cadet LP (+1 Records)
Renowned New York multi-instrumentalist Ben Carr, better known as Carrtoons, has become one of today's most sought-after producers through his eye-catching social media videos, flawless live performances, and the quickfire success of his two latest albums, Homegrown and most recent Saturday Night. The unique bass lines and highly identifiable sound of Carrtoons has quickly led to 4 NPR Tiny Desk appearances and co-signs from Pete Rock and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Carr has collaborated with pivotal names across genres, from Usher to Freddie Gibbs, Roy Ayers, Nate Smith, Kiefer, George Clinton, Jadakiss, and beyond, all while never sacrificing the retro-inspired sound that has driven his career to where it stands today. 

OLVIA DEAN - Art Of Loving CD/LP (Island)  
Multi-BRIT Award and Mercury Prize nominee Olivia Dean presents her highly anticipated second album, The Art of Loving, via Capitol Records. The Art of Loving is a tender, intentional deep dive into the many dimensions of love -romantic, platonic, self, and everything in between.

DOJA CAT - Vie CD/LP (RCA)  
Doja Cat's highly anticipated fifth studio album, Vie, is slated for release on September 26th. The 15-track album is rich with retro textures and a sonic background charged by various influences from the 70s and 80s. Vie highlights Doja's own personal evolution and brings audiences into the world of love, life and the mess in between.

HARUOMI HOSONO - Tropical Dandy LP (Stones Throw)  
Marking 50 years since its original release, Stones Throw Records’ reissue of Haruomi Hosono's 1975 album Tropical Dandy is the first edition of this record to be released outside of Japan. Tropical Dandy is the cult classic album that marked Hosono’s shift toward genre-blending, fusing exotica, jazz, and pop to lay the groundwork for Japanese City Pop.

KAROL G - Tropicoqueta CD/LP (Interscope Records) 
If you asked Karol G, What would the album that best represents your Latin community sound like? - she'd answer with her fifth studio album, Tropicoqueta. This production is a tribute to the sounds that have shaped her. The result is a love letter to her Latin community. Deeply personal, Tropicoqueta is the album Karol G always dreamed of making.

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM - Home (Tom Sharkett Edit) 12" (DFA RECORDS) 
An underground favorite gets it's official due: Tom Sharkett's edit of LCD Soundsystem's Home reimagines the track over a looped Fleetwood Mac drum break. First picked up by DFA after Flo played it on NTS, the edit quickly sparked fan buzz and chatroom chaos. Now pressed to 12”, it's a rare crossover moment that connects LCD's legacy with a new generation of DJs and dancers.

ANGELA MUNOZ / ADRIAN YOUNGE - Adrian Younge Presents Angela Munoz LP  (Linear Labs)  
Adrian Younge presents: Angela Muñoz is the debut album of an 18-year-old Angela Muñoz highlighting the Los Angeles native's timeless vocals with innocence and vulnerability. Backed by the soulful production of Adrian Younge, Muñoz's captivating voice reveals the old soul of a legend in the making. Recorded and mixed by Adrian Younge at Linear Labs, the preeminent analog studio of Los Angeles, CA.

PATRICK WATSON - Uh Oh LP (Secret City)
What is life but an endless series of “uh oh”s? From our earliest childhood accidents to our most overwhelming adult anxieties, it’s a little phrase that looms large throughout our existence. Just ask Montreal indie-pop maestro Patrick Watson who was recently faced with the biggest “uh oh” a professional singer could endure. One morning in the winter of 2023, Patrick woke up to discover that his voice—the angelic instrument that propelled 2006’s carnivalesque art-rock opus Close to Paradise to the Polaris Music Prize winner’s podium —had gone completely kaputt.  “Obviously, I like singing for people, but I was really enjoying my Modular [synth] and diving into instrumental music”—a natural inclination for Patrick, who’s composed over 15 film scores to date. “But then I was like, ‘Oh, it’d be cool to write songs for all these different singers that I really want to hear sing—I’ll find my way out of this situation that way.’ Because my voice wasn’t supposed to come back. And when it did, I just thought having all these other singers was still a cooler idea for a record than me singing.”

PHOENIX - It's Never Been Like That LP [Reissue/2006]  (Rhino)
The 3rd studio album by French rock outfit Phoenix, It's Never Been Like That originally debuted on the Billboard Heatseekers chart thanks to singles ‘Long Distance Call’ and ‘Consolation Prizes.’

RACHEL'S - Handwriting (30th Anniversary) LP [Reissue/1995] (Quarter Stick)  
Handwriting, the band's debut album, was originally released by Quarterstick Records in 1995.

ROB ZOMBIE - Hellbilly Deluxe LP [Reissue/1998] (Geffen)  
Tying together three of his major loves: classic horror films, hard rock, and electronic music, Rob Zombie created and released his debut solo album, Hellbilly Deluxe in August 1998. Featuring his iconic hits "Dragula," "Living Dead Girl" and "Superbeast," Hellbilly Deluxe cemented Rob Zombie as a hugely successful solo artist with over 3 million album sales and his first Top 5 album chart position in the Billboard 200. Now available in limited edition Glow-In-The-Dark color vinyl. Turn the lights out if you dare.

SAM PREKOP - Open Close CD/LP (Thrill Jockey) 
Sam Prekop’s work over the last 30 years, whether created primarily on his guitar or on his modular synth, is consistent in its powerful melodicism, delicate arrangements and subtle evolution. Prekop’s singular blend of melody, impressionistic lyricism and quietly intricate rhythms are the core of the singular sound of The Sea and Cake. Since 2010’s Old Punch Card, Prekop’s exploration of modular synthesis and electronic atmospheres, has come into its own. Highly skilled at manipulating the sonic interplay, Prekop has established a sytle all his own, his pieces are complex expressing real movement. Harmonies bloom with granular detail and contrary to their machine sources are able to convey emotion. Open Close is an album that captures the flow and energy of a live performance through the lens of a deft craftsman, an equilibrium of intuitive composition and the excitement of possibility.

AMANDA SHIRES - Nobody's Girl LP (ATO)  
GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Amanda Shires returns with Nobody's Girl. Produced by Lawrence Rothman and recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville, the new album is Amanda's most powerful body of work yet. Nobody's Girl is a journey through heartbreak, loss, resilience, self-discovery and empowerment. The album features Amanda's moving vocals and signature fiddle set to meticulously crafted songs ranging from achingly raw ballads to rock-infused anthems.

TACOMA RADAR - No One Waved Goodbye LP (Numero)  
Amid the early 2000s Scottish music scene that birthed Camera Obscura, Arab Strap and Belle and Sebastian, Tacoma Radar were the quiet achievers. Their sole album, No One Waved Goodbye - a mesmerizing collection of hushed melancholy, is now hailed as a cult classic. Reissued for the first time, this deluxe double album features No One Waved Goodbye, both seven-inch singles, and the previously unreleased Live From the 13th Note.

TOM SKINNER - Kaleidoscopic Visions CD/LP (International Anthem)
Kaleidoscopic Visions showcases Tom Skinner drawing together the many threads of his career as one of the UK’s most versatile and free-thinking contemporary musicians. Performing and recording with Sons of Kemet, The Smile, Kano, Floating Points and Peter Zummo as well as a wide range of collaborations across London’s vibrant improvised and electronic scene, Skinner’s diverse touchpoints are brought together in an album of quiet power and profound truths, reflecting his journey so far and opening the road towards what is to come.

JEFF TWEEDY - Twilight Override LP (DBPM Records)  
Twilight Override is a triple album featuring 30 songs. It follows Tweedy's 2020 album Love Is the King. It was recorded at his Chicago studio, the Loft. It features contributions from James Elkington, Finom's Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart, and Liam Kazar, along with Tweedy's sons, Spencer and Sammy.

SIR RICHARD BISHOP- Hillbilly Ragas CD/LP (Drag City)  
Our favorite six-string shaman is swinging that axe again! Sir Richard Bishop wrenches forth fresh, damnable truth and beauty from a musical kamikaze run through histories both known and unknown. Turning a gimlet eye to the American Primitive guitar style, Sir Rick applies his own bloodthirsty interpretive methods on a self-described “excursion into the dark woods,” to locate – and play along with – the Primitive’s moonshine-fed inner savage.

COMING NEXT WEEK!
SNOOPER - Worldwide CD/LP/CASS
AFI - Silver Bleeds Black Sun CD/LP/CASS
PHANTOGRAM - Eyelid Movies LP Reissue
PHAROAH SANDERS - Izipho Zam LP Reissue
UPCHUCK - Nice Now LP
SOUND OF ANIMALS FIGHTING - Maiden LP
NILUIFER YANYA - Dancing Shoes EP LP
SAY SHE SHE - CUT & REWIND CD/LP
PIGEONS PLAYING PING PONG - FEED THE FIRE LP
JASON ISBELL - Something More Than Free CD/LP