Music

New Music Friday: Gorillaz, New Found Glory and more

It’s our favourite time of the week – New Music Friday is the new release fix you need to get your weekend started. This week we’ll be listening to Gorillaz, New Found Glory, Mary J. Blige and more.

What’s even better about New Music Friday is that you can listen to a lot of the new music live. We’ve also found artists who’ve got new records out and are about to take them on tour. Double win!


RELEASE OF THE WEEK: Gorillaz – Humanz

It’s already been a huge year for the Gorillaz and now they’re back with their first studio album since 2010’s The Fall. The dystopian Humanz has some huge guest appearances including by Grace Jones, Noel Gallagher, Pusha T and De La Soul. With a wide range of musical styles, it’s one of 2017’s most anticipated, and potentially best, albums. Grab your copy here.


New Found Glory – Makes Me Sick

Florida-based rock band New Found Glory release their ninth studio album Makes Me Sick. Guitarist Chad Gilbert said: “Lyrically, this album looks at our culture and where we’re at—even in ourselves… This album is more vulnerable, but it’s a different kind of vulnerability and honesty than our other records. Musically, we’ve found this sort of freedom because of our fans and their loyalty to us over the years.” This autumn, the four-piece will bring their brilliantly nostalgic 20th anniversary tour to the UK with limited tickets still available via Ticketmaster.co.uk. Grab your copy of the album here.


Mary J. Blige – Strength Of A Woman

No more drama for soul songstress Mary J. Blige on her new album Strength Of A Woman. On the record she turns pain into beauty and shows that she won’t be broken. As an artist who has always shared her soul with the world, this album is more personal than ever; from overcoming a rough childhood, abuse and addiction with the help of her husband of 13 years to that same marriage now ending in divorce. But Blige works her pain out in her music and presents us with a beautiful piece of herself. Catch her live at Kew The Music this summer on 16 July, tickets are on sale here. Grab your copy of the album here.


The Cranberries – Something Else

Irish rockers The Cranberries share their brand new record Something Else. The band has been going strong since 1989 and there won’t be any stopping them anytime soon. For this release, they have taken their best tracks and stripped them back with strings and acoustic guitars, and songs like Zombie and Free To Decide are definite favourites. The band are headed on a UK tour next month and we’ve a few tickets left here. They’ll be playing a string of six shows including a headline show at the London Palladium. Grab your copy of the album here.


Willie Nelson – God’s Problem Child

If there was an award for coolest, bad-ass country star around it would sure go to Willie Nelson. His new album God’s Problem Child not only contains brand new songs by the 83-year-old singer, songwriter, author, poet and activist, it also perfectly describes him. The focal point of the new record is his own mortality, and he addresses it with both hilarity and poignancy. With over 50 albums (yes that’s roughly one every year) under his belt we do hope this isn’t his last, but we will cherish it nonetheless.


Sylvan Esso – What Now

American indie pop duo Sylvan Esso have released the follow up to their 2014 self-titled debut album. What Now is another infectious record by singer Amelia Meath and producer Nick Sabborn. The ten-track project sounds more experimental with beats for days. The duo will be playing Birmingham and London in November with tickets on sale now via Ticketmaster.co.uk. Grab your copy of the album here.


Lea Michele – Places

Broadway star and Glee actress Lea Michele shares the sophomore record, following her 2014 release of Louder. With Places the 30-year-old singer once again proves the incredible range of her voice which she showcased from an early age in Broadway productions of Les Miserables, Ragtime and Fiddler On The Roof as well as her leading role in hit-TV show Glee. “I poured myself the biggest glass of red wine, I put Fleetwood Mac on my vinyl, I lit candles, and I legit started praying and looking for a sign,” she says about coming up with a title for her new album. Grab your copy here.


JMSN – Whatever Makes U Happy    

American singer-songwriter and record producer Christian Berishaj, better known as JMSN, has released his fifth studio album Whatever Makes U Happy. On his latest record he lightens things up with his signature R&B sound still prominent. The eight-track project is the follow-up to last year’s It Is. He’ll be playing London’s Village Underground on 27 June, so don’t miss it and get your tickets via Ticketmaster.co.uk.


Mew – Visuals

Danish alt-rockers Mew have released their seventh studio album, Visuals. The edgy pop-rock moves away from the band’s previously more experimental art-rock. Whether or not that will please long-time fans remains to be seen, but the album remains a must-listen on this week’s list. Catch Mew in London and Manchester next month with last ticket on sale here.


Van Morrison – The Authorized Bang Collection

Northern Irish songwriter and legendary blues musician Van Morrison has released a three-disc collection of recordings made for Bang Records in 1967. The album includes an entire disc of new releases and is a must for all Van Morrison fans. On 15 June, Van Morisson will perform at Hampton Court Palace as part of the venue’s annual summer series including shows from Bryan Ferry, Amy Macdonald, Rick Astley and more. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.co.uk.


Feist – Pleasure

Canadian singer-songwriter and indie-pop star Feist is back with her first new album in six years. Pleasure is her fifth studio album and a top listening experience. It takes the listener on a journey of nostalgia, the future and songs about loneliness with a tinge of rock’n’roll. Feist has today announced she’ll be playing O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on 27 and 28 July with tickets on sale next Friday via Ticketmaster.co.uk. Grab your copy of the album here.


Did we miss something? Let us know on Twitter. And check back every Friday for a list of album releases to get excited about.