It is Friday, so that means new music. It used to be that Tuesday was the big day, but record companies and merchandisers must have decided that what people want to do is hear some new tunes over the weekends.
June is also a full month for new releases. The summer heat must mean people drive with the tops down on their cars, blasting tunes, and what better way to help that experience than to have a glut of new records.
Or maybe you work every day and need something for your headphones. Who knows? Either way, these Friday releases are worth your time.
Three new albums that you should be listening to on Friday
Pulp - More
Britpop heroes Pulp (though, to be fair, Pulp was never meant to be a part of that previously mentioned subgenre but simply a band without a label) are back. They had not released new material in 12 years, no new album in 24 years, and there was no guarantee they ever would again.
Instead, the return is more wise, but with just as brilliant of melodies, on More. First single "Spike Island" informed all we need to know about how good the record would be. It was terrific, and the album, in all of its Pulp-ness, is even better than hoped.
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter VI
Another return from a past master, this record is Lil Wayne's first since 2020, and his first in the Roman numeral series since 2018. It has all the markings of modern hip-hop, with a ton of guest appearances, but most importantly, the markings of what made Lil Wayne an icon to begin with.
He is truly a legendary rapper, but he plays with his sounds. There is rock and New Orleans-style jazz, and many other influences, but the words of the icon are most important. Still, having U2's Bono on "The Days" was a brilliant touch, and worth multiple listens.
Turnstile - Never Enough
Turnstile is one of the more underrated bands in rock over the last decade-plus. They are fantastic live, but their studio albums are triumphant as well. Never Enough is just another in a long line of fundamentally excellent records.
It is nuanced, but not lazy. It is loud, but not chaotic. And there are enough hooks to keep the album on repeat from your favorite streaming service or on your turntable.