4 albums you need to hear this week

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 The National, Jessie Ware, Matt Maltese and Labrinth.

The National – First Two Pages of Frankenstein

On their ninth album, the indie icons battle through the darkness to deliver their most powerful record in a generation. In recent years, writer’s block from leader Matt Berninger and a general sense of malaise in camp made The National question whether their number was up. But in fighting through the hard times, they’ve delivered a record steeped in victory. “I was suffering more than I let on,” comes Berninger’s honest admission on ‘Tropic Morning News’. In mining the pain, they’ve emerged, somewhat ironically, more powerful than ever.

Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music

Matt Maltese – Driving Just To Drive

Matt Maltese’s fourth album sees the Reading troubadour on ebullient form. Singing about the world caving in, as he so memorably did, this ain’t. Instead, it is a record peppered with upbeat melodies, constant flashes of piano funk and excellent cameos from the likes of Biig Piig. All this, and Maltese’s brilliantly sharp vivid turn of phrase. “And I know heaven’s here tonightI know heaven’s here tonight, I know,” he offers on the lovelorn ‘Florence’. Another excellent effort from one of Britain’s most impressive young songwriters.

Listen on: Spotify| Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music

Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good!

Armed with an irrepressible arsenal of disco-tinged bangers, this record sees Ware in full flight, with Madonna producer Stuart Price injecting a level of dance-pop excellence.

“I feel the most confident I’ve ever felt, stepping into making music,” Ware recently told Rolling Stone UK. “I really want to celebrate the beauty of an album, and what an album can represent. I really appreciate the traction I get off streaming sites, and all of that. It’s amazing, don’t get me wrong. But the romantic in me wanted that person to put this album on their vinyl, and just listen to it. And that’s it. I want to be able to cherish that experience, and savour that.”

Listen on: Spotify| Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music

Labrinth – Ends & Begins

After scoring the HBO teen drama Euphoria, Labrinth returns with his own solo record, a potent mix of sci-fi infused pop and ruminations on the world at large. While it’s a world away from his earliest hits such ‘Earthquake’, it is clearly informed by his experiences of shows like Euphoria and all the richer for it. The powerful ‘Kill For Your Love’ ranks among the singer/producer’s most accomplished efforts to date.