This week in music brings a wide array of new releases, spanning genres from art-punk and folk to thrash metal and hip-hop. Notable albums include a long-awaited return from Black Eyes, a progressive folk offering from Hannah Frances, and Mobb Deep's first album since Prodigy's passing, featuring contributions from Havoc and guest artists.
Key Takeaways
- Black Eyes released "Hostile Design," their first album in 21 years, showcasing their signature chaotic art-punk sound.
- Hannah Frances delivered "Nested In Tangles," an ambitious folk album with progressive rock influences.
- Weakened Friends launched "Feels Like Hell," continuing their ’90s-style radio rock sound.
- Mobb Deep unveiled "Infinite," their first posthumous album for Prodigy, produced by Havoc and featuring high-profile collaborations.
- Testament released "Para Bellum," a dark and reinventive thrash metal album.
Black Eyes Return with "Hostile Design" After Two Decades
Washington D.C. art-punk veterans Black Eyes have released their first album in 21 years, titled "Hostile Design." This follows their return to live performances in 2023 after a 19-year break. The album, produced by Ian MacKaye, who also produced their first two records, maintains the band's signature chaotic sound.
Listeners will find shouting vocals, saxophone sections, and the distinctive cacophony of dual drummers. The album concludes with "Tomtom," a seven-minute track incorporating Haitian chants and Afro-Caribbean jazz elements. "Hostile Design" reflects social and political critiques, matching its confrontational musical style. Even after two decades, Black Eyes retains its unique position within the punk and hardcore scenes.
"'Hostile Design' is an album that actually sounds as confrontational as its subject matter," a reviewer noted, highlighting the band's consistent artistic vision.
Album Fact
- Band: Black Eyes
- Album: Hostile Design
- Release Label: Dischord
- Time Since Last LP: 21 years
- Producer: Ian MacKaye
Hannah Frances Explores Progressive Folk with "Nested In Tangles"
Rising folk artist Hannah Frances has released "Nested In Tangles," an album that expands on the timeless qualities of her 2024 breakthrough, "Keeper of the Shepherd." While her previous work drew comparisons to folk legends like Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake, this new album features more ambitious arrangements.
Frances cited influences from avant-garde composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass, as well as progressive rock bands like Gentle Giant and Yes. The album's prog-indie-folk sound has also drawn comparisons to Grizzly Bear. Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear contributed to two tracks, "Life's Work" and "The Space Between." The album offers a constantly evolving listening experience, blending classic folk sensibilities with complex musical structures.
Other Notable Folk and Indie Releases
The Antlers, led by Peter Silberman and Michael Lerner, released "Blight," an album steeped in post-apocalyptic themes. Silberman, who handled vocals, piano, guitar, bass, synths, and production, crafted an ethereal and slow-moving indie rock sound. The album's climax, "A Great Flood," is an electronically-manipulated, hymn-like song that envisions a world after a massive flood, leading into the cinematic instrumental closer "They Lost All of Us."
Weakened Friends Deliver ’90s-Style Rock on "Feels Like Hell"
DIY band Weakened Friends continues to produce compelling ’90s-style radio rock with their third album, "Feels Like Hell." The album features a guest guitar solo from Buckethead, following J Mascis's contribution on their debut. Vocalist and guitarist Sonia Sturino delivers powerful, catchy hooks that could easily find a place on mainstream radio.
The album concludes with a sludgy cover of Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn." "Feels Like Hell" contains original songs that blend seamlessly with both 90s alt-rock and contemporary pop. Despite a crowded field of ’90s alt-rock revival acts, Weakened Friends maintains a distinct presence.
Genre Revival
The 2020s have seen a resurgence of interest in 1990s alternative rock. Bands like Weakened Friends are among those successfully channeling the era's sound while adding modern elements, appealing to both nostalgic listeners and new audiences.
Jay Som's Collaborative "Belong" and Weatherbox's Return
Jay Som, also known as Melina Duterte, has released "Belong," her first album in six years. This record is her most collaborative to date, featuring guest vocalists like Hayley Williams of Paramore and Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World. Duterte's previous work included playing in boygenius's live band and contributing to Lucy Dacus's album.
"Belong" includes some of Duterte's most immediate and catchy tracks. "Past Lives," featuring Hayley Williams, evolves into an alt-rock explosion with rising vocal harmonies. Jim Adkins contributes to the track "Float," characterized by its propulsive chorus. Duterte describes her music as "headphone music," rich with layers and intricate details, even on simpler acoustic tracks like "Appointments."
Brian Warren's cult indie-emo project, Weatherbox, has also returned with "The Compass EP," his first new release in over a decade. The EP, released alongside a remastered reissue of 2011's "Follow The Rattle Of The Afghan Guitar EP," showcases Weatherbox's unique blend of indie rock and emo. "The Compass" features songs primarily debuted during Weatherbox's 2019 Half Way Home Session, proving the project remains distinctive and surprisingly catchy.
- Jay Som album: Belong
- Key Collaborators: Hayley Williams (Paramore), Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World)
- Weatherbox EP: The Compass
- Time Since Last Weatherbox Release: Over a decade
Mobb Deep's Posthumous Album "Infinite" Honors Prodigy's Legacy
Mobb Deep has released "Infinite," their first new album since the passing of Prodigy in 2017. This release coincides with the 30th anniversary of their seminal 1995 album, "The Infamous," which recently topped Pitchfork's list of the 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time. Surviving member Havoc produced almost all of the album, similar to his role on "The Infamous."
The album features verses Prodigy recorded before his death. Fellow Queensbridge rapper Nas released "Infinite" through his Mass Appeal label as part of the "Legend Has It" series. The Alchemist, who worked with Mobb Deep in the late 1990s and frequently produced for Prodigy's solo career, contributed one production credit. Guest verses come from Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Big Noyd, Pusha T, and Malice of Clipse. R&B hooks are provided by Jorja Smith and H.E.R. The album is seen as a carefully and respectfully constructed tribute to Prodigy's enduring legacy.
"We're lucky to have it," commented one industry observer, acknowledging the sensitive nature of posthumous releases and the quality of "Infinite."
Mobb Deep - Infinite
- Producer: Havoc (primarily), The Alchemist
- Guest Artists: Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Big Noyd, Pusha T, Malice, Jorja Smith, H.E.R.
- Label: Mass Appeal
- Significance: First album since Prodigy's death
Testament Unleashes "Para Bellum" for Thrash Metal Fans
Veteran thrash metal band Testament has released "Para Bellum," described as one of their darkest and most career-reinventing albums in recent memory. While Testament has consistently delivered strong new material, "Para Bellum" marks a noticeable shift in their sound. Some reviewers have even questioned if it is Testament's "black metal album," due to its intense and darker tone.
The album demonstrates the band's ability to compete with contemporary thrash acts rather than simply relying on their 80s legacy. This shift is considered their most significant since their death metal-infused 1999 album, "The Gathering." For metal fans seeking new material, "Para Bellum" is a substantial release.
Additional Metal Releases
Other notable metal releases this week include Sanguisugabogg's "Hideous Aftermath" from Ohio, known for their gore-and-violence-obsessed death metal, and Oxnard's crossover thrashers Dead Heat with "Process Of Elimination."
Thrash Metal Longevity
Testament, formed in the early 1980s, is recognized as one of the "Big Eight" thrash metal bands. Their continued ability to innovate and release critically acclaimed material decades into their career sets them apart from many of their peers.
Other Releases and Industry Buzz
Beyond these highlighted albums, the week saw a broad range of other releases. Christian Science Reading Room, a new project featuring members of Greet Death and Bristletongue, released the "Under the Bed and In the Eyes of Another EP." This EP offers a softer sound, similar to Harper Boyhtari's contributions to Greet Death's "Die In Love."
The music world also discussed the new Taylor Swift album and Rolling Stone's list of the best songs of the 21st century. Additionally, exciting news broke about the return of No Doubt, though this was announced after many weekly music shows were recorded.
Other honorable mentions for the week include new music from The Orb, Madi Diaz, Zero Boys, Blawan, Perturbator, Princess Nokia, Flock of Dimes, Rhett Miller (Old 97’s), Avery Tucker (Girlpool), The Cool Kids, Amber Mark, and Khalid. Remix albums from Goat and English Teacher (featuring Fontaines D.C. and Daniel Avery) also arrived. PinkPantheress released a remix album with collaborations from Kylie Minogue, Kaytranada, and Sugababes. Reissues and box sets included a John Lennon & Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band set and the 50th anniversary edition of Patti Smith’s "Horses."
