This Week's Essential New Music: FKA twigs, Lamp of Murmuur, and Ben Quad

2 hours ago7 min read

This week's new music offerings present a thrilling spectrum of sonic ambition, from the avant-garde frontiers of pop to the raw, unforgiving depths of black metal. FKA twigs returns with a stunning new EP that solidifies her position as a true architectural of sound.The project is a meticulously layered soundscape, where her crystalline vocals navigate a world of glitchy, fractured production. It feels like a direct evolution from the baroque-pop of 'Magdalene,' further blurring the lines between R&B, electronic, and classical into a form that is entirely and breathtakingly her own.On the opposite end of the spectrum, the enigmatic Lamp of Murmuur unleashes 'Saturnian Bloodstorm,' a formidable album that hones its lo-fi, atmospheric black metal into a focused and terrifying force. This is not background music; it's an immersive, blizzard-like assault of distortion and despair that pays homage to Scandinavian legends while fiercely carving its own frostbitten identity.It stands as powerful evidence of the underground metal scene's relentless vitality. For those seeking guitar-driven catharsis, Oklahoma's Ben Quad delivers a standout emo revival anthem.Their sound masterfully blends intricate, twinkling math-rock guitars with deeply relatable, conversational lyrics, evoking the spirit of genre pioneers like American Football. It's the sound of a late-night heart-to-heart, rendered in vivid, emotional detail.Further enriching the week is the collaborative album between the ferocious doom-punk duo Ragana and the experimental project Drowse—a haunting, slow-burning epic that merges harsh, screamed vocals with ethereal, ambient textures. It's a challenging yet profoundly beautiful listen that highlights the boundless creativity thriving in the independent sphere. Together, these releases affirm that music remains a powerful medium for exploration, whether through the cathartic release of a distorted scream or the delicate ache of a perfect melody.

#weeks picks news

#music

#new releases

#albums

#singles

#artists

#Lamp of Murmuur

#FKA twigs

#Ben Quad

#Ragana

#Drowse