With so much new music being released on a daily basis, it can be hard to sift through it all and find your new favorite jam. No one knows this better than our Music Team, who spend hours every day listening to the latest releases. Since we're already digging for the good stuff, we decided to collect our favorites to help you navigate the many, many, many new releases each week.
Introducing Fresh Picks, weekly suggestions from Music Director Kari Hedlund, Host/Producer Malachy Koons and Host/Volunteer Coordinator Dan Gannon.
Albums
Blue Moon Marquee, Northern Cree - Get Your Feathers Ready
Both Blue Moon Marquee and Northern Cree are JUNO award-winning groups from Canada. A duo from Vancouver Island, Blue Moon Marquee plays blues and swing music with members A.W. Cardinal and Jasmine Colette. When working on a new album, Cardinal wanted to dig into his Cree heritage through music and rhythm. Enter in, powwow and Round Dance drum group from Alberta, Northern Cree, who are highly sought after collaborators with bands like Halluci Nation (formerly known as A Tribe Called Red), Sultans of String and more. With gnarly vocals from Cardinal and soaring singing and drumming from Northern Cree, this new collaboration is powwow meets the blues at its finest. - KH
Snocaps - Snocaps
A surprise drop on Halloween, twin sisters Katie (Waxahatchee) and Allison Crutchfield (Swearin') gifted us with a great self-titled release from their new band that features contributions from MJ Lenderman and Brad Cook. With notes of '90s grunge paired with songs that channel the sweet sounds of Waxahatchee, the sisters dialed in this new band with a full tracklist that reflects both of their styles. - KH
Antibalas - Hourglass
The eighth album from the long-running Brooklyn Afrobeat band and Daptone Records mainstay is a return to their instrumental roots. The band parted ways with singer Duke Amayo after over 20 years together and decided to fully lean into the instrumental side of their music. Hourglass showcases their amazing group dynamics and cohesion, bringing elements of highlife ("Lo Life"), funk ("Oasis") and psychedelia ("Hourglass") into their classic Afrobeat sound. - MK
The Belair Lip Bombs - Again
There's a fair amount of hype that comes with being the first-ever Aussie band signed to Jack White's Third Man Records. Listening to The Belair Lips Bombs' label debut, it's easy to see what caught the eye of the folks at Third Man. Their incredible name comes from an '80s skateboard wheel, and the group, led by Maisie Everett, has a wide-eyed approach to music that sounds like the feeling of freedom a skateboard or bike could bring in your youth. - MK
Elias Rønnenfelt - Speak Daggers
This is the second solo record from Rønnenfelt, lead singer of Danish punk band Iceage, continuing their wonderfully moody greyscape both lyrically and musically. His laconic vocals float over chill beats, African lute, melodica and even a feature from reggae legends The Congos. Rønnenfelt sprinkles out an alt-pop uneasiness that grips this listener. Start with "Crush the Devil's Head" and "USA Baby." - DG
Singles
Ratboys - 'Anywhere'
The Chicago alt-rockers return with an upbeat and propulsive single about panic attacks... kinda sorta. Sure to get your head boppin' and singin' right along to the chorus, "I'm going anywhere that you're going." Great summer single released in late fall! - DG
Genesis Owusu - 'Death Cult Zombie'
The Ghanaian-Australian rabble rouser is not just releasing a spooky Halloween song here, but rather using the scary season to target politicians. If you like a little bit of aggression and humor in your music, this tune is for you. Electro pulsing rhythm machine with a down under sneer. More please! - DG
David Huckfelt - 'Anything'
The Minnesota Americana artist just signed with the wonderful independent label Don Giovanni Records (home to fellow Minnesotans Bad Bad Hats and Keith Secola) and announced a new album called I Was Born, But... with no release date as of yet. The first single from the album is this gorgeous Adrianne Lenker cover, with a heavy dose of the ultra-talented Jeremy Ylvisaker on guitar. - MK
Courtney Marie Andrews - 'Keeper'
In 2022, Andrews released Loose Future with producer Sam Evian, a bright pop-influenced work that was a departure from the understated country and Americana she made her name with. With the release of her catchy new art-pop single "Keeper," it appears she will continue to push her sound into new territory. Check out the way she layers and harmonizes her incredible voice at the beginning of the second verse. The new album, Valentine, is due out in early 2026. - MK
Bartees Strange - 'Ain't Nobody Making Me High'
When an intro immediately brings Prince to mind, that's already a win in my book. In this song that I loved on the first listen, Bartees brings the sexy, sultry and soulful vocals paired with a groove that won't let you sit still. As one of our listeners at Judge That Jam said last week, the world "needs more sexy music!" - KH
