6 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 Jamie xx, Blossoms, Nubya Garcia, Bright Eyes, The Waeve and Katy J Pearson.

Jamie xx – In Waves

Nine years after the release of his hugely influential In Colour album, Jamie xx returns to define another era of British dance music with his superb, eclectic second LP. In Waves – an album made while pining for a post-pandemic return to hedonism – is darker and more energetic than its predecessor, with the producer recruiting Honey Dijon, Robyn, The Avalanches, his xx bandmates and more for a record that aims for – and reaches – pure euphoria.

Read the Rolling Stone UK interview with Jamie xx all about In Waves here.

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

Blossoms – Gary

Five albums into their career and Stockport’s prime indie-pop exports are showing no signs of slowing down just yet. The latest evidence of that comes in Gary’s title track – a sideways pop track which sees the band tackling the story of a fibreglass gorilla stolen from a Scottish garden centre. You get the idea here, it’s an incredibly fun record. There’s maturity to be found too, however, Perfect Me is an ode to offering up the best version of yourself and just so happens to be one of the best songs they’ve ever done. There’s indie gold to be found in these here hills…

Read the Rolling Stone UK interview with Blossoms all about Gary here.

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

Nubya Garcia – Odyssey

To give second album Odyssey – the follow-up to her Mercury-nominated debut Source – its gorgeous, expansive nature, London-based saxophonist Nubya Garcia decided to teach herself to conduct strings. The practice shows both her exploratory nature as an artist and a determination to push her sound forwards. With help from spoken word pieces by Esperanza Spalding, Richie Seivwright and Georgia Anne Muldrow, this evolution creates an album of pure beauty and exploration.

Read the Rolling Stone UK interview with Nubya Garcia all about Odyssey here.

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

Bright Eyes – Five Dice, All Threes

The second album since their reunion, Bright Eyes’ Five Dice, All Threes sees Conor Oberst become even more unguarded and open while entering his fourth decade as a songwriter at the top of the indie-rock game. The album is a self-referential gem filled with callbacks to previous Bright Eyes albums, notable collaborations and reframing thoughts from his past selves, all backed by music as luscious and bright as the band have always been known for.

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

The Waeve – City Lights

After releasing their debut album a mere eighteen months ago, City Lights sees Graham Coxon and Rose Elinor Dougall offering a follow-up that effortlessly expands the dimensions of the musical world they have created. With producer James Ford onboard again, the IRL couple lean into moments of widescreen psychedelia and even spikier new-wave moments on the powerful ‘Moth to the Flame’. Even the softer, more tender moments hit hard too – Dougall’s ode to her daughter on ‘Song For Eliza May’ is genuinely touching. A strong second effort.

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

Katy J Pearson – Someday, Now

All bets are off on Katy J.Pearson’s third album and the Bristol singer sounds all the better for it. Here, indie-folk stylings of old are eschewed for bigger, more cinematic and pop leaning bangers. The swaggering ‘Maybe’ boasts a Stevie Nicks-esque flavour, while there’s a soaring closer on ‘Sky’. It’s the start of a truly exciting era for Pearson.

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