Every Tuesday at WSUM, our Music Director, Izzi, chooses her favorite new releases to add to our music library. Here are this week's favorites, presented to you by WSUM's Music Journalism Club.

S. Raekwon, Where I'm at Now

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Darling,” “Kissing Behind Your House,” “After the Party”

GENRE: Alternative/Indie, Pop

RIYL: Peach Pit, Hippo Campus, The 1975

It's hard at first to comprehend Where I'm at Now is a completely self-produced and self-recorded album. Coming out of New York City, S. Raekwon's masterful first album combines a shocking amount of passion and grace to generate something that can truly be described as soulful. With a debut album sprouting from the pandemic, a sense of vulnerability is easy to pick up on in tracks like “Darling.” A real fusion of genres with heavy influences from R&B and pop with an altering composite in each track, S. Raekwon proves his breadth in his sound. Despite being a debut album, Where I'm at Now is the perfect starter for what one can only hope is more to come.  — Kait Fueger

Illuminati Hotties, Let Me Do One More 

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: Pool Hopping, Threatening Each Other re: Capitalism 

GENRE: Pop punk, indie rock 

RIYL: WILLOW, Beach Bunny 

Though their single “Pool Hopping” is undoubtedly a song meant for warmer days, pop-punk artist Illuminati Hotties ushers us into autumn with the full release of their newest album, Let Me Do One More. Sarah Tudzin, the lead vocalist behind Illuminati Hotties, proves that she is a powerhouse in a variety of genres, ranging from country-pop to rock. Her voice is a unique and memorable anchor throughout each song. The 12-track album is Tudzin's soapbox; she rants about her partner being late in “u v v p” before switching to a critique of the music industry in “MMMOOOAAAAAYAYA” (yes, her intensity matches the song title). Her voice is pleasantly brash as it cuts through basslines and compliments electronic interludes. Let Me Do One More is the perfect angst-driven, transitionary album to accompany the chillier days that lie ahead.  — Celia Cory 

Gustaf, Audio Drag for Ego Slobs

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Mine”, “Best Behavior”, “Happy”

GENRE: Art-Punk

RIYL: Dry Cleaning, Television, Talking Heads

Stretching back to the 70's, NYC has been home to many of history's premier art-punk bands; Television, Talking Heads, Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Today, Gustaf is stylishly keeping the art-punk tradition alive, and building a substantial cult following along the way. After years of dedicated gigging, the band has released their debut album, Audio Drag for Ego Slobs. The release pulls on many of the defining elements of art-punk; foundational 60's-esque basslines, angular guitar motifs, abstract lyricism; yet avoids coming across as derivative. The album kicks off with “Mine”, a wonderfully dense track that pulses with waves of danceable energy. Gustaf plays with the effortless tightness of a band that is comfortable on the live stage, and the tag-team vocals and quirky sound effects are well produced for the recorded format. In passing Gustaf might appear formulaic, derivative of their art-punk ancestors. In reality, they are anything but. They're standing on the shoulders of (indie) giants, but Audio Drag for Ego Slobs is an addition to the art-punk canon well worth a listen. — Ethan Cook

Pond, 9

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “America's Cup,” “Rambo”

GENRE: Psychedelic Rock

RIYL: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Tame Impala, Mild High Club

In their decade of being a band, Pond have found themselves commonly intertwined with their fellow Australian artist, Tame Impala. Finding common ground in the psychedelic realm between the two artists has provided Pond with the opportunity to support Tame Impala in many of their live performances and appearances (Tame Impala's Kevin Parker has even held the position of drummer in Pond at one point). However with the recent release of 9, Pond has distinguished themselves with a new, rock sonance. Consistent, heavy guitars are one of the main additives to Pond's already hefty collection of musical talent with their tight-group nature still being very well kept alive. Although present in their past releases, their nuances of a bolder sound has helped Pond create a new wavelength from their normal act while still staying true to their dazzling psychedelic roots.  — Kait Fueger

Helvetia, Presents Sudden Hex

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: 

GENRE: Psych rock, garage rock

RIYL: Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall, Duster

Helvetia's latest addition to their discography has continued their recent trend of releasing more catchy, hard-hitting psych rock. After the disbandment of his band Duster, drummer Jason Albertini formed the band Helvetia and began releasing music in 2008. Their first album, Headless Machine of The Heart was very much a continuation of the cosmic slowcore that Duster pioneered, with touches of Albertini's unique writing style. Since then, Helvetia has used similar sounds—fuzzy, reverb guitar, cymbal heavy drums and an old tape deck feel—but their method of songwriting has seen new influences. Their past few releases have opted for a more upbeat, eccentric psych rock sound in favor of their slowcore tradition. This new album takes that trend to another level. You won't find any long, numbing slowcore tracks on this album. Most tracks on Presents Sudden Hex are under 2 minutes, and the 15-track album only runs 25 minutes in total. The songs are concise and driven, resulting in a project that sounds best when listened to straight through. The muddy vocals and blown out guitars on tracks like “Set to Destroy” and “The Evil in You Makes it Hard” provide a taste of angsty, psych-influenced, basement rock. “Death Trip” and “Men Ruin Things” bring Albertini's songwriting skill to the surface, showcasing his jangly guitar melodies that are bound to have you thigh drumming. On Presents Sudden Hex, Helvetia achieves a sound that draws from some of the genius of Duster, but proves that Albertini is capable of crafting an art of his own league. —Raines Lucas

Matt Maltese, Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Good Morning,” “Everyone Adores You (at least I do),” “Mystery”

GENRE: Singer-songwriter, Indie pop

RIYL: Daniel Caesar, Clairo, salvia plath

Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow is Matt Maltese's first release since the overnight success of his track “As the World Caves In.” Maltese's new album proves that his success is well-deserved. Listeners will find that Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow is significantly brighter in it's sound and content than the likes of his previous, more melancholy Krystal. The opening track, Good Morning, with it's syrupy guitar layers and lush chorus, feels like waking up early on a Saturday morning. Maltese's use of direct lyrics on tracks like “Everyone Adores You (at least I do),” “You Deserve an Oscar” and “We Need to Talk” makes listeners feel like they're being addressed by Maltese himself. On the slower ballads, we see Maltese pushing his vocals to the next level. Even on these slower, more somber tracks, Matt Maltese looks on the bright side. After two years of beautifully heartbreaking tracks, Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow, feels like a warm hug from Matt Maltese, and a sign of a new era for the artist. —Raines Lucas