Essential Tracks This Week: King Gizzard, Boldy James, and more

It’s probably going to take a while to get to the bottom of this week’s Best New Releases—there’s a lot! But make sure to clear some time to spin our six-pack of the week’s best new songs, which include the return of everyone’s favorite hyper-prolific psych-rock band, two outstanding hip-hop collabs, an equally outstanding alt-pop collab, and more. Queue up this week’s Essential Tracks.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – “Deadstick”

What would a ~~year~~ ~~month~~ week be without a new song by the ubiquitous and inimitable King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard? At least slightly more boring, we can all agree. This time around, the six, surely attention deficit-afflicted Aussie oddballs abandon all pretense of psych, garage and progressive rock, instead giving a big, warm hug to soul music. That might be a turnoff for those about to rock, as their AC/DC country-mates famously say. But for King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s massive fanbase, who are attracted to the band for its unpredictability and immeasurable output of music, “Deadstick” is a brand-new adventure they’ll gobble and experience no heartburn afterward; the song is that smooth. – Kurt Orzeck

From Phantom Island, out June 13 via (p)doom

Boldy James & Real Bad Man – “It Factor” (feat. El-P)

Boldy James and Real Bad Man have made magic before. Their 2020 collaboration Real Bad Boldy and 2023 follow-up ADU each showcased the rapper-producer duo as an unstoppable team delivering hard-boiled narratives and old-school-coded, soulful, beat-heavy production with jazz flourishes. “It Factor,” naturally, follows, one of two singles released from what will be the sixth Boldy release of 2025 (and it’s only April?!). On some level, you know what to expect—rich headphone candy with Boldy’s smooth, effortless lyricism that, in this case, is pretty loaded with well-earned aggrandizement (“It’s Mr. Incredible…“). That effortlessness, this time around, is matched in a guest verse from El-P, who has a habit of raising the bar whenever he shows up. Here, however, it’s simply two ringers on equal footing, reminding us how they got there. – Jeff Terich

From Conversational Pieces, out May 2

Greet Death – “Country Girl”

Surely, as you’re reading this, a college student somewhere is writing a thesis about why bands dubbed “slowcore” (still in the running for worst genre name, 30 years and counting) are so death-obsessed (cf. Red House Painters, Idaho). But until someone leaks that paper, we can appreciate the musical and aesthetic beauty of songs like Greet Death’s “Country Girl.” How this shimmering song couldn’t resonate with every person who hears it is beyond this writer’s imagination. It penetrates the heart so directly, immediately and deeply that it’d bring a tear to the eye of even someone coming out of a narcotic haze. That Greet Death worked in an irresistible melody and delectable guitar solo to boot makes this song almost maddeningly marvelous. – Kurt Orzeck

From Die in Love, out June 25 via Deathwish Inc.

MIKE & Tony Seltzer – “Prezzy”

Last December, I was lucky enough to attend 10k’s Holiday Party at Public Records in Brooklyn. Niontay, Anysia Kym, Sideshow, and more were slated to perform, but surprise appearances were made by a Spider-Man-garbed Earl Sweatshirt and the 10k maestro himself, MIKE, who declared, “I feel like rapping.” At this point, it’s easy to say the NYC label is one of the most exciting collectives going, and there’s no signs of 10k slowing. MIKE and Tony Seltzer’s Pinball was one of 2024’s best, and by the sounds of the followup, it seems lightning does strike twice. Pinball II’s lead single “Prezzy” finds the duo on top, donned in designer, and levelheaded amid any impending turmoil. – Patrick Pilch

From Pinball II, out May 7 via 10k

Militarie Gun & dazy – “Tall People Don’t Live Long”

The second collaboration between dazy and Militarie Gun is an unexpected Britpop banger that could have emerged from the mid-’90s, with a string section that brings the Verve to mind, yet it’s coupled with a dance-friendly groove. The two artists have an undeniable chemistry that seamlessly blends their mutual musical perspectives. “Tall People Don’t Live Long” is a flawless piece of alt-pop that flows like a lazy river made of bong water. You can’t help but think there is an entire unsuspecting Britpop audience who doesn’t know how amiss they would be for not checking this song out, and if you are only familiar with the Militarie Gun side of this equation, you are in for an equal surprise. – Wil Lewellyn

Out now via Loma Vista

Weeping Sores – “Arctic Summer”

Doug Moore is the best metal musician in the world at conveying frustration. He channels billy woods-like precision (unsurprisingly, woods is one of his largest influences) into his work with Pyrrhon, Seputus, Scarcity, and, in this case, Weeping Sores. “Arctic Summer,” the band’s first single in six years, reckons with Moore’s shoulder injury and how it prevented him from playing or performing music. It taps into the inability to no longer do what one previously could through death-doom granted a floral hue through the use of cello and banjo. It’s another footnote in Moore’s career that proves he could make a compelling song out of any negative emotion. Here’s waiting for his concept album about stubbing your toe. – Colin Dempsey