WSUM's Records of the Week: 10/20

Check out what our staff members and DJs had to say about this week's most exciting releases! If you want to listen to this music, and more of our weekly adds, scroll to the bottom of the article where you can find a Spotify playlist with the best tracks of the week. Happy Reading!

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Wilco, Ode to Joy

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Everyone Hides,” “Love is Everywhere (Beware),” “Hold Me Anyway”

RIYL: The Jayhawks, Jeff Tweedy, Fruit Bats

Wilco's 11th album, Ode to Joy, focuses on a stripped down sound that dives lyrically into the mistakes humans constantly make while maintaining undertones of happiness. This album contrasts previous albums, which is no mistake. In the lead singer's memoir, he dives into the meaning behind the switch in sound, saying he wanted to shift from thinking nobody was listening to speaking directly to listeners. While listening to this album, focusing on how the lead singer is talking to you builds a unique experience that makes you think about life a little more. – Jessica Hall

Guerrilla Toss, What Wouldthe Odd Do?

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Plants,” “Future Doesn't Know,” “Moth Like Me”

RIYL: Tropical F*ck Storm, Parquet Courts, black midi

The monarchs of cosmic groove, Guerilla Toss, are back with their new EP, What Would the Odd Do. On this new release,the New York based art-rock band offer some of their most wily, colorful and psychedelic songs to date. Tracks like “Plants” and “Future Doesn't Know” are especially energetic, with vocalist Kassie Carlson singing unhinged verses over driving synth and guitar riffs, while rocket propelled bass grooves pulsate beneath. What Would the Odd Do's sound is loud and dense, and the perfect accompaniment to an interplanetary space flight. – Ayden Schultz

Common Holly, When I say to you Black Lightning

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Joshua Snakes,” “Uuu,” “I Try”

RIYL: Lomelda, Hayley Heynderickx, Half Waif

Self-described as an album exploring “pain, fear, and self-delusion,” When I say to you Black Lightning can be deliciously unsettling, a good soundtrack to a witchy October. Brigitte Naggar's voice is soft as she sings arresting lyrics over a constantly changing musical mood – one minute her sound is nervous and erratic, the next she's in control. “Don't be a-a-a-a-afraid,” she chants over an increasingly tense beat on “You Dance,” underhandedly encouraging the listener to feel their anxieties bubble to the surface. Others like “Measured” and “It's Not Real” are equally eager to hold up the mirror but do so in a more vulnerable way: haunting lyrics take center stage above soft hums and spaced out guitar. Common Holly had some fun leaning into their angst, and the result is an indulgently dark and moody album. – Milly Timm

Clipping, There Existed an Addiction to Blood

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Blood of the Fang,” “Nothing is Safe,” “Story 7”

RIYL: JPEGMAFIA, Ho99o9, Merzbow

There Existed an Addiction to Blood is clipping.'s latest album, and this time around they've gone full minimalist. Many of these tracks are a slow burn; “Run for Your Life,” for example, takes over two and a half minutes before a beat even comes in. That being said, “Story 7” and “Attunement” find Daveed Diggs continuing with the rapid flows that defined this group's earlier releases, the latter of which contains some of the harshest noise on the album, paying homage to artists such as Merzbow and Hanatarash. Fans of experimental hip hop and noisy music in general will likely appreciate this album. – Daniel Palmeter

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