Best New Music Roundup

Emilie Theaux runs through five new releases worth your attention this week, filmed from her living room in front of a wall of vinyl. She covers a range of styles, from groovy LA psych-rock to Brazilian 45s to confessional folk, and gives each pick a short, specific pitch for when and why to listen.

Brainstory - Sounds Good

LA group Brainstory released a new album that blends jazz, psych, and indie rock into something groovy and unhurried. Emilie frames it as the ideal record for a low-key evening with friends when you have control of the aux. The album art shows an illustrated pool hall scene with the band members, fitting the laid-back energy she describes.

DJ Koco a.k.a. Shimokita - Brazil 45s (DJ Mix)

Emilie's favorite listen of the week. This is a 50-minute mixtape released on Mr Bongo, built entirely from Brazilian 7-inch records. She calls it a crate digger's paradise and highlights DJ Koco's skill as a turntablist as the thing that ties the collection of obscure gems together. The video cuts to footage of DJ Koco working two turntables in what looks like a record shop, hands moving between the decks.

Chiare - Debut Album

Italian singer and multi-instrumentalist Chiare dropped her first full-length record. Emilie keeps the description brief but pointed: expect a boost of energy and intimacy. The album cover shows a black-and-white photograph with the artist's name styled in a lowercase serif font.

Lucy Rose - New Album

Emilie says she is sold on this one. The album covers deeply personal experiences of motherhood and serious illness, including navigating the medical system. What makes it work, in her telling, is the contrast between Lucy Rose's folk-leaning vocals and an experimental, textured production style underneath. She describes the combination of subject matter and sound as something genuinely beautiful.

Thom Yorke - "Knife Edge" (Single)

The final pick and the most emotional. Emilie notes that Thom Yorke's songwriting often leans ambiguous, but "Knife Edge" is the opposite. She calls it heartbreaking in how direct it is, and admits it got to her. The transcript captures some of the lyrics playing over the outro: "You better not be drowned / You better not be fooled around."

Key Takeaways

• Brainstory fits the "hand someone the aux at a dinner party" use case. Jazz-psych-indie from LA.
• DJ Koco a.k.a. Shimokita delivered the week's standout listen with a 50-minute Brazilian 45s mix on Mr Bongo.
• Chiare is a new name to watch. Italian multi-instrumentalist, debut album, high energy and intimacy.
• Lucy Rose made an album about motherhood and illness that pairs vulnerable lyrics with experimental production.
• Thom Yorke released "Knife Edge," a single that stands out in his catalog for its emotional directness.