Portland’s Strange Pilgrim has released “Through the Branches,” a contemplative new single from their forthcoming album, Too Bright Planet (via Royal Oakie Records). Led by Josh Barnhart and featuring a new lineup with members of Rogue Wave and The Dandy Warhols, the track is a shimmering piece of jangle-pop reflecting on the surreal stillness of the early Covid era with bright, layered guitars.

The new documentary, “IT’S NEVER OVER, JEFF BUCKLEY,” offers a poignant look into the musician’s life. Directed by Amy Berg, the film draws on unseen archives and intimate interviews with Jeff Buckley’s mother, former partners, and bandmates. It chronicles his meteoric rise and enduring legacy, shaped by his only studio album, “Grace.” The documentary features never-before-seen archival footage, watch the film trailer here.

Acclaimed Aotearoa musician and New Zealand Arts Laureate Ariana Tikao will bring the ancient sounds of taonga puoro (traditional Māori instruments) to London’s Cafe OTO on July 27th. A renowned composer and practitioner, Tikao will collaborate with the Rothko Collective to perform newly commissioned works based on Māori chants, blending composed music with improvisation, spoken word, and video art for what promises to be an immersive experience.

Following the release of their bold and confident 2022 debut, Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell were ones to watch and their follow-up confirms this; “Tomorrow Held” is a beautifully constructed album that swings from calm and tranquil to the gnarly and abrupt. It is a considerable step forward for Spafford Campbell in terms of creative ideas; they have talent to spare and are not afraid to use it.

Chicago duo Whitney have announced their much-anticipated fourth album, Small Talk, arriving November 7th. To celebrate, they’ve shared the shimmering new single “Dandelions,” a heartfelt track built on Julien Ehrlich’s signature falsetto and Max Kakacek’s plaintive guitar. The announcement comes as the band wraps up a tour with Caamp and prepares for their own North American headlining tour in summer 2025.

Carson McHone unveils “Downhill,” the latest single from her new album Pentimento, out September 12th on Merge Records. The propulsive track, which recalls early Velvet Underground, is accompanied by a self-directed video filmed in Barcelona. It offers a compelling preview of the new record’s themes of memory and lineage, arriving just as McHone kicks off her European tour with Daniel Romano’s Outfit.

Steve Gunn’s new single, “Sky (debesis),” is the transportive opening track from his upcoming solo instrumental album, Music for Writers, out August 15th. The album offers open, textured soundscapes designed as a companion for thought and reflection. Recorded in various locations from Brooklyn to Latvia, the music uses guitar, synths, and field recordings to create small, immersive environments—a quiet observation of the world, embracing both its anxiety and peace.

From director Athina Rachel Tsangari, Harvest is a spellbinding, folk horror-inflected tale. Over seven hallucinatory days, a remote village’s traditional way of life is upended by the arrival of outsiders and the trauma of modernity. Led by a striking performance from Caleb Landry Jones, this atmospheric and deeply immersive film chronicles a community on the brink of irrevocable change, crushed by forces that masquerade as progress.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Josh Ritter has unveiled ‘Truth Is A Dimension (Both Invisible And Blinding),’ the contemplative new single from his forthcoming album, I Believe In You, My Honeydew, out September 12. The track, recorded in a single take, came from what Ritter describes as a “daydream of a night drive through the desert.” In support, Ritter has also announced a new run of autumn tour dates.

Glasgow’s Iona Zajac confronts a toxic past on her raw new single, “Anton.” A stark contrast to her recent joyous indie-rock, the track is a brave, unflinching reflection on formative experiences with toxic men. Following sold-out tours supporting Alison Moyet and a stint with The Pogues, Zajac channels her rage and newfound power into a heart-wrenching anthem of visceral, poetic defiance.

Visionary duo Pino Palladino and Blake Mills announce their second collaborative album, That Wasn’t A Dream, out August 22. Following their acclaimed debut, the new record delves deeper into their unique synergy of spontaneous, leaderless composition with a refined, minimalist philosophy. The lead single, “Taka,” offers a dynamic glimpse into the project’s intricate soundscape, showcasing the instrumental prowess of these two celebrated musicians.

Naarm/Melbourne’s Winter McQuinn has share an animated video for “Always Looking,” the second single from his upcoming album. The track features vocals from Dylan Young and backing from Hot Apple Band. It’s a powerhouse of 70s-inspired sound, blending the soft-rock of Steely Dan with Nick Drake’s folk sensibilities. The song’s groove contrasts with poignant lyrics delving into the modern anxieties of social media comparison.