Every Friday, Case the Producer rounds up the most exciting new tunes in music and serves them up in one easy-to-find blog for you, the Q101 Crew Members.
Adrianne Lenker: Bright Future
Big Thief have existed for nearly a decade now as one of the brightest and most brilliant bands in all of indie rock. Their frontwoman, Adrianne Lenker, is no stranger to solo work, however. Bright Future is the much-anticipated follow-up to 2020’s songs, a record full of intimate, acoustic tracks including the standout “anything“. Bright Future took a few years to get, but the quality is just as high as you’d expect. Lenker once again reaffirms her status as one of the most daring songwriters in music with this album.
The Gaslight Anthem: History Books -Short Stories
There was a nine-year gap between 2014’s Get Hurt and 2023’s History Books. Now, less than a year later, Twisted XMAS alumni The Gaslight Anthem are back with a short set of reimagined tracks. Not only does the EP include a cover of “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish, but the band has re-recorded a fan-favorite in “Blue Jeans & White T-Shirt”. Rounding out the project is acoustic versions of “Positive Charge” and “History Books”, two standout tracks from the band’s most recent record.
The Gaslight Anthem will be joined by the iconic Joyce Manor and Pinkshift on August 29 at The Salt Shed.
Hot Mulligan: Stickers of Brian
Hot Mulligan are currently on the road with Fall Out Boy and Jimmy Eat World. As you’re reading this, they’re preparing to play Madison Square Garden. They filled the Aragon Ballroom last December. They have been good for a really long time, but it felt like the right people finally started to pay attention in 2023. Their first new track of 2024 is “Stickers of Brian”, another certified thumper from a band that has seemingly been incapable of missing. This is the perfect introduction to anyone not hip to Hot Mulligan as they simply doubled-down on everything that they do well with this excellent track.
Hozier: Unheard EP
Hozier will take Lollapalooza by storm later this summer, but before he gets there, he is bestowing us with the gift of new music. He gives us Unheard, a lovely EP featuring lovely songs, as Hozier is prone to do. The standout track is Too Sweet, a vibrant and energetic cut from one of the finest voices in all of music.
Maggie Rogers: So Sick of Dreaming
New Maggie Rogers music? And it’s delightful? Who could’ve seen this coming? One of the most energetic performers in all of the land is back to cranking out energetic, song-of-the-summer-like singles, and it’s great to see.
Pearl Jam: Running
These guys are pretty good, aren’t they? With Dark Matter less than a month away, the band is ready to unearth another new single, this time in “Running”. It’s another belter.
The Story So Far: Letterman
The Story So Far are God’s gift to mankind. A pop punk band that feels sophisticated yet accessible, mature yet fun. These types of things don’t happen often, if ever. Parker Cannon is simply a brilliant frontman and the band’s newest single, “Letterman”, is a great showcase of the band’s new, more melodic direction.
