In the age of streaming, it has never been easier to access a vast library of music. However, with over 60,000 new songs added to platforms like Spotify every day, navigating the landscape to find quality releases can be a daunting task. Each week, the team at Rolling Stone UK curates a selection of the most compelling new albums to help you stay ahead of the curve.
This week, we are highlighting standout records from Muse, Nectar Woode, Beth Orton, Sekou, Temples, and Downtown Boys.
Muse – The Wow! Signal
In a move that feels quintessentially Muse, the band’s 10th studio album, The Wow! Signal, was announced via a video of its lead single, ‘Be With You,’ being transmitted into space. While the extraterrestrial audience may be skeptical of the Devon band’s interpretation of alien life, earthlings will find the record to be a tremendously entertaining and ambitious swing for the fences. As they continue to evolve, the band sounds bolder and brasher than ever, marking this as their most successful outing in years.
Nectar Woode – Naturally
When Nectar Woode spoke to Rolling Stone UK last year, she described her sound as soulful, warm, and summery, yet layered with deep meaning. That artistic mantra is fully realized on Naturally, a nine-track mixtape that showcases her mellifluous vocals against eclectic instrumentals. By blending neo-soul, jazz, and reggae, Woode has crafted a project that is truly special.
Beth Orton – The Ground Above
Following the stunning reinvention of her 2022 album Weather Alive, Beth Orton continues her creative evolution with The Ground Above. Having taken the reins as her own producer, Orton acts as a magnetic bandleader here, joined by a talented cast including Tom Skinner, Dave Okumu, and Shahzad Ismaily. The record retains the instinctive, flowing energy of the practice room jams from which these songs were born.
Sekou – In a World We Don’t Belong Pt. 2
Rising soul star Sekou continues to impress, pairing his honeyed vocals with synth-driven production to create a sound that is both intimate and epic. Reflecting on the project, Sekou notes that the music serves as a narrative of his life as a 21-year-old, capturing the beauty found in feeling like an outcast and the struggle of working to define one’s own identity.
Temples – Bliss
Known for their psych-tinged soundscapes, Temples pivot toward the euphoria of late 90s and early 2000s dance music on Bliss. Drawing inspiration from the Ibiza scene and European electronica, the band describes this new venture as “melancholic euphoria,” a perfect soundtrack for the challenging days of summer.
Downtown Boys – Public Luxury
For those seeking empowerment in dystopian times, Downtown Boys offer a righteous remedy with Public Luxury. The record reaffirms the possibility of a better world through raucous, catchy rock music. As vocalist Victoria Marie puts it, the album finds power in the struggle for freedom, turning the “dirt and shards” of injustice into a compelling story of liberation.