New Music Weekend / Friday 07-11-25
(New Music Weekend Intro)
Who’s coming up! After more than a decade of radio silence, Clipse is back; then, Wet Leg – can they build on their initial success and deliver an album that’s smarter, sexier, and just as fun; plus, Justin Bieber has a new album? All this and more!
(Countdown Video)
New Music Weekend:
- After an incredible 16-year hiatus, the wait is over (“Ace Trumpets” clip) the iconic hip-hop duo Clipse, composed of actual brothers – Pusha T and No Malice, have returned with their fourth studio album: Let God Sort Em Out (“All Things Considered” clip) That’s “All Things Considered” – a song which features the voice of Pharrell who also produces the track but he didn’t stop there. Pharrell produced the entire album. (“E.B.I.T.D.A” clip) Let’s get back to Pusha T and No Malice, while still doing their lyerical interplay amongst one another, the brothers explore themes of grief and family loss – notably on the powerful album opener ‘The Birds Don’t Sing.’ (clip of that song) 13 tracks in all for Let God Sort Em Out. And I have to admit, like many, I was really looking forward to “Chains & Whips” – the one featuring Kendrick Lamar (“Chains & Whips” clip). One last note – not only are the Clipse, the Clipse again, but for this album: No Malice is once again Malice.
- (“Catch These Fists”) Moving along from the hip-hop world to the indie-rock scene, one of the most anticipated albums of the year has officially dropped. (more “Catch These Fists”) The album is titled Moisturizer – from a band that took home a grammy with their rookie album – we’re talking about Wet Leg. (“Wet Dream” clip) That’s “Wet Dream from their first album, but the unique and absurd “love song” wittiness continues with this new album, which also validates – no sophomoric slump (“Pillow Talk”) Wet Leg has not only expanded its members to a quintet but there’s a sense of maturation as well. The album has more emotional openness while still having the band’s deadpan charm. First track is always important to see if it sets the tone of the album and I fully believe “CPR” definitely does the job. (“CPR” clip)
- Several quick hits of new music: Petey USA is back with his new album, The Yips – a concept album set in a fictional dive bar – each song is a different conversation about life’s anxieties. It’s fun, relatable, and produced by Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla!” // Well, the wait is over for the Beliebers! Justin Bieber made a surprise return, dropping his seventh studio album, Swag, with so little warning. It’s his first full-length project since 2021, and has a mix of R&B and pop sounds to go along with some very personal lyrics, reflecting on his journey as a husband and father. // Multi-GRAMMY and Academy Award winner Jon Batiste is kicking off his new era of sound. We may have to wait until August 22nd for the entire new album, BIG MONEY, to drop, but he did just gave us a little sip with the release of the title track. It’s a blend of soul, funk, and his signature New Orleans spirit, here’s that new song release – “Big Money” (clip) //
I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that! Anything that I really messed up and missed – well, that’s why I’ll be doing Missed Music Monday on Monday.
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