New Music Reviews (8/4)

Each week, Music Director Chris Sanley and Associate Music Director Alex Ruder (joined this week by Albina Cabrera, Latin Partnerships and Editorial Manager and co-host of El Sonido) share brief insights on new and upcoming releases for KEXP's rotation. These reviews help our DJs decide on what they want to play. See what we added this week below (and on our Charts page), including new releases from DEBBY FRIDAY, Big Freedia, Blush, and more. 

DEBBY FRIDAY - The Starrr Of The Queen Life (Sub Pop)
The sophomore album from Toronto’s DEBBY FRIDAY showcases an innovator whose artistry knows no bounds. Traversing intricate layers of experimental pop, club, hip-hop, post-punk, jungle, and more, The Starrr Of The Queen Life features dynamic synths, hypnotic beats, and vocals that effortlessly veer from ethereal to commanding. Further cementing herself as the starrr of our hearts, FRIDAY’s entrancing second full-length demands attention. –CS
 
Big Freedia - Pressing Onward (Queen Diva Music)
The Queen of Bounce is spreading love, joy, and hope as she takes listeners to church with her new gospel album, Pressing Onward. Released soon after the sudden passing of her longtime partner, Devon, this inspiring collection stands as a testament to Big Freedia’s resilience. With her signature commanding vocals and a seamless blend of bounce, gospel, soul, hip-hop, and R&B, she encourages listeners to worship whenever, wherever, and however feels true and authentic to them. –CS
 
Blush - Beauty Fades, Pain Lasts Forever (Kanine)
The second album from this Singaporean band fronted by vocalist Soffi Peters is a strong set of fuzzy indie pop, punchy indie rock, dreamy shoegaze, and even some intense screamo (heavy album closer “Swallowing 999999 Needles”) that finds the band succeeding on their “mission to create pristine pop that explores life’s complex emotions.”  –AR
 
Kae Tempest - Self Titled (Island)
The fifth album from London-based poet, playwright, novelist, rapper, and spoken word artist Kae Tempest is another potent set of cerebral, hard-hitting, expansive, uncompromising hip-hop. Largely produced by veteran British producer Fraser T. Smith who’s worked with Adele, Stormzy, Dave, Kano, Sam Smith, and many more, Self Titled pairs dynamic, cinematic, moody beats with Tempest’s powerful, resilient, fiery lyrics that often reflects upon their experiences as a non-binary trans artist. –AR
 
M.A. Sampson - Pistons of the Ages (Den Tapes)
The debut album from Seattle-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist Michael Andre “M.A.” Sampson is a strong set of rootsy folk-rock carried by sharp songwriting, personable community-oriented lyrics, and a consistently twangy DIY charm. –AR
 
Quadeca - Vanisher, Horizon Scraper (X8 Music) 
The fifth studio album from multidisciplinary LA-based artist Quadeca is a fucking sensation. Through a hazy, prismatic blend of chamber pop, hip-hop, soul, and folk, he unravels an alluring web of genre-expansive, cinematic wonders. Shifting from mellow, atmospheric reflections to noisy, chaotic bangers, his exceptional production skills shine as he delivers one masterpiece after another on the mesmerizing Vanisher, Horizon Scraper. –CS
 
Sofia Kourtesis - Volver EP (Ninja Tune)
The new EP from Peruvian DJ, producer, and vocalist Sofia Kourtesis is a vibrant collection of contemporary dance music infused with infectious Latin rhythms. Crafted between her homes in Germany and Peru, she uses her remarkable talents to help listeners move and groove with intent and purpose. Kourtesis shares that Volver is a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community, and to trans women in particular. She explains: “Their bravery and existence in a world full of hate and danger, they find a way to bring the lights to the most vulnerable communities, specifically those that are behind the walls of terrible corruption in the Latino America Security and Health System.” –CS
 
Wisp - If Not Winter (Interscope/Music Soup) 
The highly anticipated debut full-length album from San Francisco-based phenom Wisp is a compelling collection of maximalist shoegaze. With her dreamy, ethereal vocals, confessional lyricism, murky walls of sound, and a strong pop sensibility, If Not Winter marks an exceptional first outing. –CS
 
Blankenberge - Decisions (self-released)
The fourth album from this Saint Petersburg, Russia-based band is another solid set of dreamy shoegaze with an epic, dynamic, widescreen vision that’s bolstered by Yana Guselnikova’s ethereal vocals and serene melodies. –AR
 
Clifford - Golden Caravan (Sipsman)
The sophomore album from Boston quartet Clifford, led by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Miles Chandler, showcases their intriguing blend of folk rock, noise, post-hardcore, and Americana. With emotive vocals, densely layered arrangements, and a balance of melody and experimentation, Golden Caravan feels like an urgent cry for hope in deeply uncertain times.  –CS
 
Frente Cumbiero - Inconcreto & Asociados (Salgaelsol / Discos Biche)
The opening track of Frente Cumbiero’s new album, “Cumbia Troksy,” along with track four, “Por Sacar un Sonido a la Calle Me Quieren Meter Preso,” had their exclusive premieres on KEXP during the band’s electrifying Live on KEXP session recorded in 2024. Now, the Colombian group led by Mario Galeano returns with Inconcreto & Asociados, an album that reaffirms their role as pioneers of the new psychedelic cumbia. Far from sticking to formulas, Frente Cumbiero broadens their sonic alliances by inviting musicians from jazz, electronic, and dub backgrounds into their tropical lab. With modular synths, playful horn arrangements, and a deconstructive spirit, the record embraces improvisation, noise, and surprise, without ever losing the infectious groove that made them stand out. Recorded in Bogotá and beyond, Inconcreto & Asociados was produced by Galeano and mastered by another key figure in Colombia’s new wave: Eblis Álvarez, the visionary behind Meridian Brothers. –AC
 
Jiri Jiri - Give Me Disco, Vol. 1 (Batov)
The debut EP from this Berlin-based disco outfit featuring members of Muito Kaballa and YĪN YĪN is a vibrant set of “Neapolitan funk and pan-European disco jams as hot as the Adriatic coastline” that’s packed with delicious basslines, infectious rhythms, undeniable grooves, and a sun-soaked European flair. The EP also marks the launch of Batov Records’ Give Me A Disco series that will be curated by DJ Kobayashi. –AR
 
Laura Groves - Yes EP (Bella Union)
The latest EP from London-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Laura Groves – previously known under the solo alias Blue Roses, a member of Nautic, and frequent collaborator with Everything Is Recorded, Sampha, Bullion, Wilma Archer, and others – is another a nice set of smooth, sophisticated, lush indie soul/pop with a dreamy romantic touch. –AR
 
Loyle Carner - hopefully ! (EMI)
The fourth album from London rapper Loyle Carner (aka Benjamin Gerard Coyle-Larner) is another solid set of soulful, introspective, poetic hip-hop that pairs warm, jazzy beats with his nimble flow and honest, reflective lyrics touching upon family, fatherhood, and growth. –AR
 
Mádé Kuti - Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From? (self-released)
Multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist, and grandson of the father of Afrobeat unveils his first official solo chapter following a joint release with his father. Emerging as a force in the contemporary Afrobeat world, Where Does Happiness Come From? is vibrant, politically charged, and skillfully balances tradition with sounds of the present day. Mádé Kuti says it best himself: “I honour the legacy I was born into — but I’m here to expand it, not repeat it. Every song is a search for meaning, truth, and a new kind of freedom.” –CS
 
Mal Devisa - Palimpsesa (Topshelf) 
Allow Mal Devisa to reintroduce herself. On this epic anthology album, Amherst-based Deja Carr is untethered by genre, moving fluidly between experimental hip-hop, soulful rock, minimalist R&B, poetic folk, and expressive jazz to elevate her skill as a masterful wordsmith. Yet still, Palimpsesa is a cohesive, comprehensive showcase of her inventive and multifaceted artistic vision.  –CS
 
Oog Bogo - Cowgirls (In The Red)
The sophomore album from LA-based Oog Bogo is a scrappy set of melodic garage rock. With fuzzy guitars and frenetic drums, Kevin Boog and the new lineup consisting of Gabe Flores, Julian Betts, and Grant Snyder incorporate psych, slacker rock, and noise into a wild and engaging listen.  –CS
 
The Circling Sun - Orbits (Soundway)
The second album from this Auckland, New Zealand-based collective centered around drummer, percussionist, and composer Julien Dyne is a sweet set of interstellar cosmic jazz infused with lush synth textures, Brazilian rhythms, Afro-Cuban percussion, and complimentary, communal vocals from The Love Affinity Choir. –AR
 
The New Eves - The New Eve Is Rising (Transgressive)
The debut album from this Brighton, UK-based is a promising set of dramatic, impassioned, brooding experimental rock with a theatrical post-rock streak that yields an intense, cathartic, and visceral sound. Early single “Rivers Run Red” distills their sprawling and dynamic sound into a thrilling album highlight. –AR
 
Two Shell - IIcons (Young)
Quickly following their impressive 2024 debut, the sophomore surprise album from enigmatic London-based electronic duo Two Shell is a thrilling set of glitch-forward techno, UK garage, club, and hyperpop. Described as “the end of a chapter,” IIcons may mark their final anonymous release. But here’s hoping their inventive, experimental sonic wizardry continues once they lift the mysterious veil.  –CS