8 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 Big Joanie, Daniel Avery, and Sault.

Big Joanie, Back Home

Back Home sees Big Joanie continuing to be one of British music’s boldest and most distinctive voices. Powerful punk-led drums and guitars are paired against lyrics that tackle potent and timely issues such as the housing crisis, capitalism, and mental health. This record feels like a real step up for the trio.

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

Cavetown, worm food

On his latest album, bedroom pop sensation Cavetown’s Robin Skinner breaks out of the confines of those four walls to deliver some of his most personal and world-watching tracks to date. Of lead single ‘1994’, he said: “It’s about dealing with perceived guilt and how it can become over-exaggerated in my head. I’m working on defining the line between what’s really wrong in a situation versus what is made up in my head, because it’s the parts that aren’t real that I end up feeling quite guilty about.”

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

Connie Constance, Miss Power

On her second album Miss Power, Connie Constance delivers a no-holds-barred masterclass in indie-pop. Singles such as ‘Mood Hoover’ are anthems in the making, while ‘Kamikaze’ is a welcome left-turn into punk. A varied and consistently exciting effort.

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

Daniel Avery, Ultra Truth

Daniel Avery continues his prolific stream of the past few years with his new album Ultra Truth. A pure distillation of the UK electronic musician and DJ’s sound, it feels like a fiery techno record as played by the Deftones. The album features a host of collaborators, including past collaborator Kelly Lee Owens and HTRK’s Jonnine Standish, and 160bpm newcomer SHERELLE.

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

Ezra Collective, Where I’m Meant to Be

Ezra Collective showcase their winding sound on new album Where I’m Meant to Be, an affirming celebration of life that captures the sort of musicality and comradeship that comes from years playing together. Drawing from improvisational jazz, soul, hip-hop, and more, the album features collaborations with Sampa the Great, Kojey Radical, Emile Sandé, Steve McQueen, and Nao.

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

Mount Kimbie, MK 3.5: Die Cuts | City Planning

MK 3.5: Die Cuts | City Planning plays like Mount Kimbie’s own Speakerboxx/The Love Below. The double-album is split into two, with the electronic duo’s Dom Maker and Kai Campos producing one side apiece. Each artist’s unique approach shines through; the contrast serves not just to complement the other, but to complete it.

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

Sault, 11, Aiir, Earth, Today & Tomorrow, and (Untitled) God

This article is headlined ‘eight albums you need to hear this week’, but it should really read ‘12 albums’, as Sault’s latest release actually contains five full albums. That’s if you get the chance to hear them, anyway — they’re up for free download on WeTransfer, for five days only, and locked behind a password that you have to guess.

Listen on: WeTransfer

Various Artists, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — Music From and Inspired By

Led by Rihanna’s first track in six years, the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack is every bit the star-studded affair that its predecessor was. The likes of Burna Boy, Stormzy and Tems are all here to add their voice to Marvel’s latest.

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