7 albums you need to hear this week
With music from Lisa, Sports Team, Architects, bdrmm, Matilda Mann, Doves and Darkside
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 Lisa, Sports Team, Architects, bdrmm, Matilda Mann, Doves and Darkside.
Lisa – Alter Ego
For her long-awaited debut solo album Alter Ego, BLACKPINK’s Lisa has called in the big guns. The album’s lead single, ‘Born Again’, features Doja Cat and RAYE, while Tyla, Megan Thee Stallion and Future all also appear across the record. It’s the latest intriguing solo foray from a member of the huge K-pop group, and the last statement before the band reconvene for a massive 2025 world stadium tour.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
Sports Team – Boys These Days
On their third album, Sports Team are branching out. For the first five years of their career, the band set their sights extraordinarily high, famously trying to book Wembley Arena with only a few singles out, and dreaming of a gig at Knebworth. Boys These Days sees them dial up the flamboyance and look into the past for inspiration, as frontman Alex Rice says: “Having been in London guitar world for a quite while, I began looking at people like Bryan Ferry and how it can be a bit more fun if you play around with characters. He looks like he’s having a better time than a lot of the bands from our generation, and that’s what you want to be shooting for.”
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
Architects – The Sky, the Earth & All Between
If the last two records from Architects saw the metalcore merchants dive into a wider, arena primed, avenue of heavy metal, then this is the album that sees the pendulum swing truly back to where it began. It’s ferocious, in your face and fans will lap it up. ‘Blackhole’ sees frontman Sam Carter dish out screams capable of piercing your soul, while ‘Blackhole’ – all pounding drums and guitars – is a complete triumph. Britain’s boldest metalcore outfit aren’t going anywhere just yet.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
bdrmm – Microtonic
On third album Microtonic, Hull’s bdrmm continue to subtly evolve and master their take on dark, brooding shoegaze. The biggest change here is the incorporation of more electronic tones and the influence of dance music. It’s a good fit for the band, who now exist in an exciting and novel in-between space. Guitarist and vocalist Ryan Smith explained: “I felt very constrained writing a certain type of music to fit the genre [we were known for] but something lifted and I felt more free to create what I want.”
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
Matilda Mann – Roxwell
Matilda Mann’s blend of wistful folk and bolder alt-pop moments makes for the loveliest of contrasts on Roxwell – a debut album named after her childhood home. The gentle ‘At The End Of The Day’ is a tempered reflection between the past and the now, while ‘See You Later’ chugs along with an infectious, jangly, indie pop rhythm. It’s a set of songs that cleverly use the framing device of home to reflect on the realities of life – both good and bad – to establish Mann as a brilliantly clever storyteller.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
Doves – Constellations for the Lonely
In 2020, Doves returned with The Universal Want, their first album in over a decade. In the years since, frontman Jimi Goodwin has experienced prolonged mental health struggles. It’s led to show cancellations and – for their latest tour – vocals taken over by Goodwin’s bandmates Jez and Andy Williams while Goodwin takes a break.
But this sixth album sees the group channeling the chaos into something beautiful. The result is an absolute triumph. ‘Renegade’ – which the group say was inspired by Blade Runner – is a stunning portrait of tough times. “And if you could only see what I’ve seen…with your eyes / Then you’ll know that everything expires,” sings Goodwin.
Elsewhere, there’s lovely forays into psych on the dreamy ‘Strange Weather’, while ‘Cold Dreaming’ offers a chance for the brothers Williams to show they’ll still deliver a brilliant live show with Goodwin’s seal of approval.
Tough times can often produce the greatest art, and that’s certainly the case here.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music
Darkside – Nothing
After taking eight years to follow-up their beloved debut album Psychic, Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington’s Darkside project is on a roll right now. 2021 album Spiral was followed up by a live album, extensive touring and the addition of drummer Tlacael Esparza. Esparza’s clattering percussion also defines Nothing, an album that takes the best of Darkside – Jaar’s brooding vocals and swirling electronics, Harrington’s innovative guitar lines – and gives it a new and fresh heartbeat. Best is the storming lead single ‘S.N.C.’, one of the strongest songs of 2025 so far full stop.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music