3 new songs and 3 new albums to check out this weekend

We finally know what's going on with that Julien Baker and TORRES collab.

By Jen Lennon | January 31, 2025 | 2:00pm

Images from left: Julien Baker and TORRES, "Sylvia" (Screenshot: YouTube); Tunde Adebimpe, Thee Black Boltz (Sub Pop); MIKE, Showbiz! (10k)

Music Features 3 new songs and 3 new albums

3 new songs and 3 new albums to check out this weekend

Welcome to our weekly music post, where we spotlight our favorite new songs and albums. Hop in the comments and tell us: What new music are you listening to?

Julien Baker and TORRES, “Sylvia”

Tunde Adebimpe, “Drop”

April 18 is going to be a good day for new albums. TV On The Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe announced his first solo album, Thee Black Boltz, will also drop that day. Similarly to Julien Baker and TORRES, Adebimpe preceded the announcement with a single late last year. He also gifted us with a new track, “Drop,” which is slower and more contemplative than last year’s propulsive “Magnetic.”

Sunflower Bean, “Champagne Taste”

Sunflower Bean’s new track, “Champagne Taste,” calls back to the band’s first album, Human Ceremony, which had a heavier sound than their past two releases. In a press release, bassist and singer Julia Cummings described the sound of their upcoming record, Mortal Primetime (out 4/25), as “Belle And Sebastian meets Alice In Chains,” which definitely bears out in the new song. It’s a refreshing return to form for the band after the pop-leaning Twentytwo In Blue and Headful Of Sugar.

MIKE, Showbiz!

MIKE doesn’t need to worry about people talking shit while he’s been out of the game like other rappers do because he’s never slowed down since he released his first album, Longest Day, Shortest Night, in 2016. Nine years later, he’s on his ninth album, Showbiz!, and it’s one of 2025’s early standouts. MIKE’s candid lyrics are laid over jazz and soul beats, creating a thoughtful and earnest record that defies genres.

L.S. Dunes, Violet

L.S. Dunes seems like the kind of supergroup destined to release one album and never be mentioned again, but surprisingly, they’re back with their second record, Violet. The group consists of Circa Survive and Saosin singer Anthony Green, My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero, Coheed And Cambria guitarist Travis Stever, and bassist Tim Payne and drummer Tucker Rule, both from Thursday. If you’re looking for an early-’00s screamo throwback, this will scratch that itch.

Bonnie “Prince” Billy, The Purple Bird

In the lead-up to The Purple Bird’s release, there were hints that this would be Will Oldham’s (a.k.a. Bonnie “Prince” Billy) most country-sounding record yet. He teamed up with legendary Nashville engineer David “Ferg” Ferguson to produce the album, and all the singles had a similar country vibe. Now that we’ve heard the whole album, it’s clear that this is, indeed, his definitive country record—and it’s also one of his most fully realized albums as a whole.