5 albums you need to hear this week
With music from Miles Kane, Jacob Slater, Girl Ray and more.
In the age of streaming, it’s never been easier to listen to new music — but with over 60,000 new songs added to Spotify every day, it’s also never been harder to know what to put on. Every week, the team at Rolling Stone UK will run down some of the best new releases that have been added to streaming services.
This week, we’ve highlighted records by Miles Kane, Jacob Slater, Girl Ray, Tyla Yaweh and Art School Girlfriend.
Miles Kane – One Man Band
Miles Kane’s One Man Band sees the singer-songwriter returning to his roots, and the core of his existence. Going back to his hometown of Liverpool to record the album, One Man Band is his most personal record yet, but still exudes the undeniable indie-rock melodies that have sustained him across a decade-plus career. From the arena-sized hooks of the single ‘Troubled Son’ to more intimate and solitary moments, it’s the record of his that covers the most sonic territory and signals the beginning of a new era.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
Jacob Slater – Pinky, I Love You
When Jacob Slater – former frontman of frenzied punks Dead Pretties – returned in 2021 with the project Wunderhorse, he showed off a softer and more reflective side to his songwriting, mixing inspiration from the likes of Elliott Smith and Neil Young in amongst the chaotic, fast-paced punk of his past. Alongside writing that band’s debut album, 2022’s Cub, he also penned some songs that were even more solitary and intimate. They make up Pinky, I Love You, a solo debut of stark beauty and songwriting brilliance from an artist growing into himself gorgeously.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon Music
Girl Ray – Prestige
On their second album, 2019’s Girl, Girl Ray swapped the sweet harmonies and soft instrumentation of debut album Earl Grey for fizzing pop music from the left field. Third LP Prestige continues this evolution. Working with Ben H. Allen, whose previous production credits include M.I.A, Gnarls Barkley and Christina Aguilera, the trio turn to ’80s disco to expand their sound and dream of escapist fantasies with their most technicolour music yet.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon Music
Tyla Yaweh – Heart Full of Rage 2
Serving as the follow-up to Tyla Yaweh’s 2019 record Heart Full of Rage, new album Heart Full of Rage 2 is a turbo-charged update. Here, the hooks are sweeter, the beats harder and the lyrics more potent. The record is defined by recent single ‘Summer Vibes’, a sun-drenched single anchored by reverb-heavy guitars and a melancholic air. Yaweh has previously toured with Post Malone, and the album hits the same sweet spot that Austin Post is a master of.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
Art School Girlfriend – Soft Landing
Soft Landing, the second album from Welsh producer and songwriter Art School Girlfriend – aka Polly Mackey – “truly feels like my debut” according to her. In line with this admission, the album redefines the artist’s sound, mixing the intimacy of bedroom pop with more fleshed-out and collaborative ideas. Across the album, Mackey travels through indie-pop, ambient and electronica on a record that points towards a bright and eclectic future.