This week’s Five Songs You Must Hear list starts heavy and hard before mellowing out with something that should carry you to a lovely sleep.
1. Crown Lands, Blackstar
Apocalypse (InsideOutMusic/Sony)
Recommended If You Like: Duo power, Canadian style
If you’re not on the Crown Lands train yet, you’re way behind. The duo from Oshawa (Cody Bowles on drums and vocals) and Kevin Comreau (guitars/bass/keyboards) are one of the fiercest two-piece combos anywhere in the known universe. Fans include Jack White and KISS, and they’ve either won or been nominated for a number of JUNO awards.) This requires high-volume listening. The album will be here Friday.
2. Butthole Surfers, Imbuya
After the Astronaut (Sunset Boulevard)
RIYL: Whatever this band does. I’m still not sure.
I’ve always loved the Butthole Surfers for their consistent we-don’t-give-a-crap attitude. After an eight-year break (they disappeared in 2017), they’re back with a single that guitar Paul Leary describes this way: “ conceived and produced much like a far after eating beans.” C’mon. How can you NOT want to listen now?
3. Lambrini Girls, Cult of Celebrity
Single (City Slang)
RIYL: Angry, angry women who rock
No one should mess this duo (Phoebe Lunny and Selin Macieira-Boşgelmez) from Bristol. There’s only been one album (Who Let the Dogs Out last year) but every single they’ve released has been full of energy, fight, and bile. Here’s hoping that Lunny recovers quickly from an accident that resulted in a broken neck and brain injury. The North American tour has been rescheduled.
4. Dry Cleaning, Sliced by a Fingernail
Single (4AD)
RIYL: Disturbing, unsettling music
Dry Cleaning (est. South London 2017) doesn’t sound like a lot of other bands, thanks to Florence Shaw’s unique vocal delivery. If your neck doesn’t hurt after watching this video, you’re not doing it right. Strangely, this album is not on their 2026 album, Secret Love, which was released back in January. Catch them in Toronto May 1 and Montreal May 2.
5. Ed O’Brien, Blue Morpho
Blue Morpho (Transgressive Records)
RIYL: Well, Radiohead, for one.
While we’re still awaiting Radiohead to get moving on a new album, this is an excellent placeholder from guitarist Ed O’Brien. It’s an exquisitely produced track with all manner of Radiohead feels, blended with Sigur Ros etherealness that will sound brilliant after dark this summer. The full album will be available on May 22.
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