There’s so much music coming out all the time that it’s hard to keep track. On those days when the influx of new tracks is particularly overwhelming, we sift through the noise to bring you a curated list of the most interesting new releases (the best of which will be added to our Best New Songs playlist). Below, check out our track roundup for Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Spoon – ‘Chateau Blues’ and ‘Guess I’m Fallin in Love’
Spoon have returned with two swaggering new songs, ‘Chateau Blues’ and ‘Guess I’m Fallin in Love’, which they recorded with producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen while working on a new album. “Two new tunes with distinct personalities that were summoned into the world the past few months in Austin TX and Providence RI,” Britt Daniel commented. “It’s a big day all around: tonight we kick off our first tour in a while in Santa Ana, and tomorrow we start up our run with the Pixies — let’s face it, one of theee great bands of all TIMES. A band that some may know has long been near and dear to me. It’s a real pleasure and we’re real happy to be getting back into gig world for a sec. See you down front.”
Geese – ‘100 Horses’
“There is only dance music in times of war,” Cameron Winter proclaims on Geese’s slinky, gloriously apocalyptic new single ‘100 Horses’, which is taken from their forthcoming album Getting Killed. It arrives on the heels of lead single ‘Taxes’.
Mavis Staples – ‘Beautiful Strangers’
Mavis Staples has a new covers on the album on the way called Sad and Beautiful World. Given that it was produced by Brad Cook, it’s not too surprising that its list of contributors includes MJ Lenderman, Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield, and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, among others, but it’s still pretty sick. The first single is a wonderful rendition of Kevin Morby’s ‘Beautiful Strangers’. “It isn’t easy to put into words what it feels like having one of the best, most important vocalists and cultural figures of both the 20th and 21st century sing one of my songs,” Morby commented. “But hearing Mavis sing ‘Beautiful Strangers’ is hands down the greatest moment and highest honor of my career. Far beyond any kind of accolade or acclaim — having one of my biggest heroes sing something I wrote is the most validating and flattering thing that could ever happen to me as a songwriter and person. Thank you, Mavis. Mavis also wields that extremely rare power to take a song somebody else wrote and make it entirely her own. As the person who penned ‘Beautiful Strangers’, I feel I have every right to say: her version is better.”
Amanda Shires – ‘Piece of Mind’
Amanda Shires has shared ‘Piece of Mind’, a rowdy country-rocker from her new album Nobody’s Girl. “This one came when I was finally done being polite about pain,” she commented. “I wrote this song because I never got closure. ‘Piece of Mind’ became the place I said everything I didn’t get to say. Writing it gave me an ending. Not tidy. Not bitter. Just mine.”
Austra – ‘Math Equation’
Austra has announced her first album since 2020’s HiRUDiN. Chin Up Buttercup was inspired by the Eurodance sound of Madonna’s Ray of Light, which you can hear shining through its first single, ‘Math Equation’. The record is about “the alienating feeling of being heartbroken in a world that’s awkward and inconvenienced by your pain,” according to Katie Stelmanis.
Jordana – ‘Still Do’
Jordana has announced a new EP, Jordanaland, which she recorded with her friends Charlie Kilgore & Julian Kaufman of Michelle. It’s led by the instantly catchy yet cutting new single ‘Still Do’. “Jordanaland is definitely an escape from Americaland,” the artist explained. “It’s an oasis from the chaos, where tampons are free, everything is easy, and Luther Vandross is vice president. It looks a lot like LA in the videos… for some reason. Weird. But it’s wherever you want it to be, just close your eyes. Pop music was definitely the goal — self-assured, confident pop. I think the evolution came from becoming more comfortable with my voice, a more established sound, and also looking up to artists who let it all out in that way.”
Joan Shelley – ‘The Orchard’
Joan Shelley has unveiled ‘The Orchard’, another heart-rending track off her forthcoming album Real Warmth, following ‘Everybody’. The track features Doug Paisley on guitar, album producer Ben Whiteley on bass and mandolin, and his father Ken Whiteley on organ.
Golden Apples – ‘Freeeee’
Golden Apples have previewed their forthcoming album Shooting Star with a new track called ‘Freeeee’, which is knotty yet enveloping. “’Freeeee’ to me is a loose exploration of what it feels like to get lost and found within songwriting,” the group’s Russell Edling explained. “Sometimes it feels like swimming through space, just trying to maneuver through confusion and obstacles in order to break free and take off. Sometimes the process can feel oppressive and suffocating, only to turn on a dime and seem weightless and easy. The lyrics also reference a moment when I was taking a walk and listening to Deerhoof’s album Milk Man again after many years. At the time I was sort of frustrated and lost in my own creative tangles and that album got me back on the path again.”
S. Carey – ‘Watercress’
S. Care has announced a new EP, Watercress, sharing the ethereal title track. Out October 3, the EP was recorded with Zach Hanson and Brian Joseph and features guest vocals from Gia Margaret and Hannah Hebl. “The music video for the title track, ‘Watercress’ gave me chills upon first viewing,” the singer-songwriter explained. “Shot in Northwest Wisconsin, the place I call home, the images provide micro and macro views of the woods and waters that are so magical when you get up close and investigate. Just like a forest cut or burned, we all have the power to re-grow with the right care.”
runo plum – ‘Sickness’
Having recently signed to Winspear, runo plum has announced her debut album, patching, which will be released on November 14. Lead single ‘Sickness’ is achingly beautiful. “This song could be taken in many ways, literally or metaphorically,” plum reflected. “It’s about falling ill of many kinds, the common cold, perhaps lovesickness, but whatever it may be: you heal through it. This was the first song we worked on, and it came together really seamlessly.”
Wilby – ‘Care’
Wilby has released ‘Care’, a poignant new single from her debut album Center of Affection. “We’ve been playing it live for two years now,” Maria Crawford shared. “The first handful of times, I couldn’t make it through. It’s about the people I’ve hurt, and the pain of knowing that—even while giving them so much of myself. That tension is something I think we all feel. Most of us don’t mean to hurt each other—we’re just trying, imperfectly, to love.”
