BY: Music Journalism Club
Every Tuesday, our Music Director, Allison, chooses new releases to add to our music library. Here are some recent highlights, presented to you by WSUM's Music Journalism Club.
Saya gray, SAYA
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “SHELL ( OF A MAN )”, “H.B.W.”
GENRE: Alternative/Psychedelic pop
RIYL: Grace Ives, Okay Kaya
Sounding like a crisp autumn day, Saya Gray's latest album SAYA is a breath of fresh air from beginning to end. Just like its album cover, SAYA is mind ending and dreamy, filled with tracks that demonstrate incredible production and thought-provoking lyricism. Saya compliments her dreamy sound with acoustic, down-to-Earth guitar beats, reminding the audience that they belong in her comfortable space. Every aspect of this album feels like a calm, thoughtful fall day, from upbeat tracks like “SHELL ( OF MAN )” to smoother moments like those in “10 WAYS ( TO LOSE A CROWN )”. Throughout the album, Saya creates a sound that can remind anyone of their blissful past.
— Lyn Sepersky
Laura Lee & The Jettes, Unsolicited Advice
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Craigslist Boy”, “Wasteland”
GENRE: Indie, Alternative
RIYL: GURR, Death Valley Girls
Straight out of Berlin, Laura Lee & The Jettes bring Unsolicited Advice, an album composed of many great indie and alternative tracks. Influenced heavily by the Krautrock genre of the 60's and 70's, combined with a modern indie rock feel, the result is an upbeat album full of intricate lyrics. “Craigslist Boy” begins whimsically in content and feel, but brings out a darker meaning with “Späti boy” and his stalker behavior. Laura Lee absolutely delivers with this album, and the upcoming songs are worth the wait.
— Emily Collins
Youth Lagoon, Rarely Do I Dream
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Football”, “Seersucker”
GENRE: Alternative, Indie
RIYL: Perfume Genius, 22° halo, LCD Soundsystem
Youth Lagoon isn't afraid of intriguing lyrics, and his latest album, Rarely Do I Dream, clearly shows that. In an era of popularized music defined by similarity, Youth Lagoon offers a refreshing lens of the world that's both nostalgic and relatable. Rarely Do I Dream includes beautiful old home movies, french horns, piano, and guitar, ultimately compelling the listener to dance around in a foggy haze. While his tracks are full of energy, Youth Lagoon's ability to uniquely convey universal experiences behind instrumental noise allows listeners to feel heard and comforted. From “Football” with its intricate lyricism and “Seersucker” with its childhood nostalgia, Youth Lagoon has curated an exquisite record perfect for human beings wanting to feel something.
— Lillian Hescheles
Anxious, Bambi
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Some Girls,” “Counting Sheep,” “Next Big Star”
GENRE: Emo-pop, Post-hardcore
RIYL: One Step Closer, PUP, Footballhead
Reestablishing the foundation laid by their debut album Little Green House, Connecticut based Anxious recently graced the emo-pop world with their second full length album, Bambi. Bambi leans more into the emo side of Anxious' musical presence, with more clean vocals throughout intermittently paired with extremely satisfying hardcore screams. While the vocals display traits of more melodic emo, the supporting instrumentals continue to call back to the hardcore-adjacent roots Anxious has. The blend of pop-punk esque vocals with the heavier layers of sound underneath provide a wonderful blend of genres throughout the album. With seemingly no boring parts in this album, Anxious' latest release is a wonderful addition to the new music of 2025.
— Elliot Novak
Q Lazzarus, Goodbye Horses: The Many Lives of Q Lazzarus
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Goodbye Horses – New Wave Version”, “My Mistake”, “Don't Let Go”
GENRE: Synth pop, New Wave
RIYL: Grace Jones, New Order
Q Lazzarus creates some groovy and funky music in her album Goodbye Horses: The Many Lives of Q Lazzarus. This album is the soundtrack to a documentary about Diane Luckey, also known as Q Lazzarus. The songs make me think of something my mom would have enjoyed in her high school years, being straight out of the 80s. Q Lazzarus has an amazing voice, hitting impressive high notes along with deep low tones, making for many captivating vocal moments. As well as impressive vocals, there are a number of fun guitar solos and a driving drum beat in the background of many of the songs on this album.
— Christine VanDen Heuvel
The Murder Capital, Blindness
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Words Lost Meaning”, “Love of Country”, “A Distant Life”, “The Fall”
GENRE: Post-Punk
RIYL: Fontaines D.C., Been Stellar, Cardinals
What's going on in Ireland right now? That's the question you'll be asking yourself after just a quick sample of the Murder Capital's third album. Echoing the brooding, jagged sound of fellow Dubliners Fontaines D.C., the Murder Capital has cemented their place in the conversation surrounding the Emerald Isle's post-punk explosion. Mixing gritty, fast-paced bangers, “The Fall”, with the more lyrical songs, “Love of Country” and “A Distant Life”, this record has a certain je ne sais quoi that seems to indicate we'll be hearing more of the Murder Capital. I, for one, will be paying attention.
— Joely Emerson
lovetempo, Live Or Die By Love
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Part Time Love Affair”, “Live Or Die By Love”
GENRE: Dance, Jazz-Funk
RIYL: Toro y Moi, Jamiroquai, Cut Copy
A fast paced and fun EP, “Live or Die By Love” is a creative fusion of smooth jazz-funk and dance music. Exploring the ups and downs of modern romance through its lyrics, Mattie Safer's latest project is a way for him to express himself on the floor. Whether it be through the house inspired title track or disco themed cut “Part Time Love Affair”, lovetempo's consistently excited sound and disposition make the three-track release a perfect listen for a morning run; It's sure to get you off your feet.
— Ryan King
Dead Gowns, It's Summer, I Love you, and I'm Surrounded by Snow
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “How Can I”, “Wet Dog”, “Maladie”, “Kid 2”
GENRE: Alternative indie, Indie folk
RIYL: Big Thief, Leith Ross
The second album from Dead Gowns, It's Summer, I Love you, and I'm Surrounded by Snow, is the perfect album to usher in spring. Spanning from slow and calm to upbeat and fast paced, the album evokes a wide range of feelings, all with a dreamy undertone that ties the album together. Geneviève Beaudoin's impressive vocals show the raw emotions she poured into her music. If you're a fan of Big Thief this is an album you'll need to listen to as soon as possible. Some recommended activities while listening may include frolicking in a field or running away on a small boat in the month of May, or anytime soon for that matter.
— Christine VanDen Heuvel
