The Pulse is the Uproxx Music guide to the best new albums, mixtapes, and other music releases that matter this week.
Justin Timberlake’s new country album is finally here, and that’s good news if you’re a Jessica Biel fan, because she’s all over it, even popping up in the new video for “Man Of The Woods.” This week also has a handful of artists hoping that distance made our hearts grow fonder: Timberlake, Rhye, and Hookworms are all returning with their first albums in at least four years. Beyond that, there are also new releases from Field Music, Awolnation, Kyle Craft, and the newly minted Rich Brian.
Justin Timberlake — Man Of The Woods
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Despite song titles like “Flannel,” “Breeze Off The Pond,” and “Livin’ Off The Land,” Justin Timberlake confirmed that Man Of The Woods is definitely not a country album. While he might come close with the Chris Stapleton-featuring “Say Something” and the slide-guitar-laden title track, singles like “Filthy” and “Supplies” prove that this album, JT’s first since 2013’s The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2, is an overty pop affair. Takedown culture may be out for him, but perhaps fans will find something to enjoy here.
Rhye — Blood
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The follow-up to Rhye’s seductively smooth 2013 album Woman has been five years in the making, with a great deal of that half-decade spent touring, an experience that Rhye’s Mike Milosh told Uproxx helped him make Blood an album more connected to his live sound: “I don’t want to be scrambling to figure out how to convert something that uses a lot of soft synths and editing techniques that are used to do some rhymical things. So, I really wanted this record to be a link to the live sound.”
Read our new interview with Milosh here.
Hookworms — Microshift
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The psychedelic UK group is back with their first album since 2014, which the band says is “about loss but also about maturing, accepting your flaws and the transience of intimacy.” It’s also about getting lost in some serious vibes, whether its via the MGMT-like “Static Resistance” or the even more kaleidoscopic and ethereal “Each Time We Pass.”
Check out the mix Hookworms made for Uproxx’s “The Selector” here.
Field Music — Open Here
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There’s a strong hint of ’80s new wave permeating the latest from the UK progressive pop group, especially on synthy and jaunty tracks like “Count It Up.” Album opener “Time In Joy” is an effective introduction to and a microcosm of the rest of the album: It’s experimental and modern, but it still has fun with nostalgic sounds by using them in a way that adds up to something much more than an alternative retro pop tribute.
Awolnation — Here Come The Runts
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Awolnation has called their new album a “non-GMO record,” and indeed, everything about it sounds pretty pure. The lead-up singles prove this: “Seven Sticks Of Dynamite” is a thumping romp with a singalong chorus, while “Handyman” is a huge folk rock track with a gigantic hook.
Kyle Craft — Full Circle Nightmare
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Craft is passionate about lyrics, which has led to disappointment for him: “I hate the idea of conforming to sh-tty lyricism that happens nowadays,” he said recently. “It’s not everyone, but there is definitely a lower bar for what is considered good lyricism now.” He proves his affinity for quality words in music on his narrative and emotional single “The Rager,” which got a beautifully shot video to bring the lyrics to life.
Rich Brian — Amen
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The artist formerly known as Rich Chigga is back with his first album post-name change, and the Indonesian rapper seems to perhaps be taking himself more seriously now; He managed to get a guest appearance from Offset, and although fellow comedian/rapper Joji features on “Introvert,” it’s actually a legitimate track with a head-bobbing groove.
