The Pulse is the Uproxx Music guide to the best new albums, mixtapes, and other music releases that matter this week.
After sharing a bunch of different songs that went in a bunch of different directions, Jack White has finally released what promises to be his most broad-reaching album ever. A rocker from a previous generation, Neil Young, is also back with a movie soundtrack that shows off his instrumental side, while Preoccupations takes the post-punk model and spruces it up on their latest. Elsewhere, Diplo and Trouble got a ton of big names on their new releases, and of course, there’s a flame-grilled new mixtape from Wendy’s, the restaurant best known for its burgers and fries.
Jack White — Boarding House Reach
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Jack White has finally decided that all these fancy music-making computers aren’t so bad, and the result of that is perhaps the most eclectic album White has ever made under any moniker. There’s the hop-hop influenced “Ice Station Zebra,” the all-over-the-map “Corporation,” the explosive rocker “Over And Over And Over“… overall, it’s very weird and very fun.
Preoccupations — New Material
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Post-punk music tends to follow a formula, but it’s not one that Preoccupations subscribe to. The group breathes new life into the decades-old genre on their latest effort, an album that features experimental highlights like “Espionage” and “Antidote” that show you can achieve driving rhythms, propulsive bass lines, and Joy Division-like night time vibes while still trying something new and exciting.
Read our review of the album here.
Wendy’s — We Beefin?
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Yes, Wendy’s the fast food burger restaurant. They’re marketing geniuses, so they may as well release a mixtape that actually sounds like real legitimate music. “Rest In Grease” is an amazing title for a rap song by a burger place, not to mention that the rapper they got to record this album, whoever she is, knows what she’s doing. The most disappointing thing about his mixtape, though: No feature from Bun B.
Neil Young And Promise Of The Real — Paradox (Original Music From The Film)
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Even if Neil Young’s strange Western movie Paradox ends up being as bizarre and kitschy as its trailer makes it seem, at least we got a new Young album from the deal. A lot of the soundtrack album is instrumental, which is a plus for fans of Neil who have wanted to see what he’d sound like in that capacity, and there’s even one of those ten-plus-minute jams he’s done so well over the years, “Cowgirl Jam.”
Diplo — California EP
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It’s only six tracks long, but Diplo crammed a ton of star power into his new EP. Lil Yachty and Santigold guest on the chill EP opener “Worry No More,” and elsewhere on the release that sounds very much like its namesake state is Desiigner, DRAM, Trippie Redd, Lil Xan, GoldLink, and MØ.
Stone Temple Pilots — Stone Temple Pilots
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Stone Temple Pilots have had awful luck with lead singers: First Scott Weiland passed away, and then Chester Bennington. The band’s latest self-titled album is their first release since the loss of both frontmen. Now, Jeff Gutt (previously of Dry Cell) is leading the charge, and despite all the adversity they’ve faced, the band can still really rock.
Trouble — Edgewood
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There’s no better way to describe Atlanta rapper Trouble’s latest than star-studded: Drake, The Weeknd, Quavo, Fetty Wap, Boosie Badazz, and Mike WiLL Made-It all appear on the new mixtape. He also got quite the co-sign from Mike WiLL Made-It, who called Trouble “the only person from the city who’s going to give you that raw, pure, honest, real rap, mixed with originality, new flavor, new flows, and new lingo. He has the grind, work ethic, and dedication to back it up and the city knows.”
Chief Keef — The Leek, Vol. 5
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Chief Keef fans might remember The Leek, Vol. 5 as an unofficial fan-compiled mixtape that made the rounds in 2016, but now, it’s official, and updated with more songs from Keef’s vault. On this release, Keef’s doing it mostly by himself: There are no features, and he does some production as well. When he’s not producing, though, talents like DP Beats, 808 Mafia, Metro Boomin, Chapo, and Dolan Beats are at the helm.
Chloe x Halle — The Kids Are Alright
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Sisters Chloe Bailey and Halle Bailey are only 19 and 17, respectively, but the R&B duo sound capable beyond their years on their debut full-length album. They got some help from GoldLink and Joey Badass, but for most of the 18 tracks, the sisters are doing it themselves, and doing it well. The instrumentals and vocals are as smooth as can be, and The Kids Are Alright is a promising start for a family affair that has the potential for some real staying power.
