Despite the announcement of the 2025 Grammy nominations and the looming release of listener’s Spotify Wrapped, the closing weeks of 2024 are still packed with promising drops from artists big and small. Here are eight new releases to check out before ringing in the new year.
“Soft Power” by Fazerdaze – November 15
The soft blue and purple lights illuminating the album art of New Zealand singer Fazerdaze’s latest album, “Soft Power,” encapsulate the dreamy electronic pop sound of her self-made music, with lyrics reflecting the passing of time in her womanhood. “Soft Power” marks Amelia Murray’s second album and contains 11 new songs, including three singles that gained traction before the LP release on Nov. 15.
The album’s arrival fell amid rock band Pond’s “Stung!” North American tour, with Murray serving as a supporting act. Nevertheless, she held an album release party at Shim Sham in Los Angeles for fans to get an early listen on Nov. 9. As Murray finishes off her journey with Pond, she is set to headline her own show at the University of California, San Diego on Dec. 6.
“Persona” by Half-Alive – November 15
Originated in Long Beach, CA, indie band Half-Alive’s most recent album “Persona” dropped on Nov. 15, following the release of their three singles, one of which is titled “Songs” and features bedroom pop musician Jordana. The feel-good beats reflect the fleeting feelings of freedom during adolescence and pose a question for listeners, leaving their audience wondering how youthful spirits manifest into adulthood.
Listeners who pre-saved the album on Spotify or Apple Music were able to unlock an exclusive “Monster Maker,” where fans could customize their personal monsters or create one by uploading a selfie, creating their own “Persona.”
“flush” by Searows – November 22
The third project of Searows, an EP titled “flush” arrived on Nov. 22 under Last Recordings on Earth, singer-songwriter Matt Maltese’s independent recording label. Searows is the moniker of Alec Duckart, an Oregon-raised musician who has been uploading music to TikTok since 2020 and recorded his first album independently.
The five-track EP has remained true to the passionate and tender lyricism and soft sound that has entranced listeners from all over, exploring family ties and the inherent desire to feel seen.
“Mahashmashana” by Father John Misty – November 22
Following his stop in San Luis Obispo in September, Josh Tillman, better known as Father John Misty, released his sixth studio album “Mahashmashana.” The LP was unveiled to listeners on Nov. 22 featuring five new songs in addition to “She Cleans Up,” “Screamland” and “I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All.”
The title is derived from the Sanskrit word Mahāśmaśāna, translating to “great cremation ground,” accompanied by album artwork by San Franciscan artist Joe Roberts. The release of the album marked the dawn of a new tour, spanning from February to April 2025 across the United States and Europe.
“A Peace of Us” by Dean & Britta & Sonic Boom – November 22
On Nov. 22, shoegaze trailblazers Dean Wareham & Britta Phillips of Galaxie 5000 and Luna came together with Sonic Boom of Spacemen 3 to present “A Peace of Us” — an extensive album exploring the complex feelings that arise with the Christmas season through their unique and genre-bending renditions of classic holiday tunes.
Their versions of David Berman’s “Snow is Falling in Manhattan,” John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” and Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper” are featured on the 14-song compilation record. With the extensive track lineup which pulls from artists of various genres, the trio incorporates synth-music, country, electronica and ‘60s pop.
While Wareham, Phillips and Sonic Boom shared vocal duties on “A Peace of Us,” Wareham recorded guitar, Phillips took the lead on bass, keyboards, and drums and Sonic Boom arranged Omnichord.
“Cosmic Waves Volume 1” by Angel Olsen – December 6
Audiences will be able to experience and connect with singer-songwriter Angel Olsen in a completely new way on Dec. 6, with her release of “Cosmic Waves Volume 1.” The album consists of two sides; Side A features five songs from five artists of Olsen’s choosing, allowing them to pick which track off their own discography landed on the record. Meanwhile, Side B reimagines tracks by those same five artists, as Olsen covers a song of her choosing in her creative exertion.
The collection is meant to spark creativity and promote artists whom Olsen finds inspiring. Side A’s feature of Poppy Jean Crawford’s “Glamorous” and Side B’s partner of Olsen’s rendition of Crawford’s “The Takeover” is out now –– a small peek into the eight songs to come.
“Lucinda Williams Sings The Beatles From Abbey Road” by Lucinda Williams – December 6
Recorded in the very same London studio where The Beatles initially recorded their groundbreaking album Abbey Road, Lucinda Williams is set to release her 12-track cover album of various Beatles’ songs from different eras on Dec. 6, titled “Lucinda Williams Sings The Beatles From Abbey Road.”
It is the seventh installation of her series “Lu’s Jukebox,” a series of live-streamed concerts originated by Williams in 2020 in tribute to different artists and eras including individual CDs focused on Tom Petty, 60’s country classics and a Christmas record.
Her ode to The Beatles marks the first Jukebox rendition in nearly three years, and apart from the band themselves, at 71 years old Williams became the first major artist to record The Beatles’ songs at Abbey Road Studios.
“Rome” by The National – December 13
On June 3, 2024, rock band The National performed at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone in Rome, Italy. In what they described as the “definitive live document of The National,” the band is set to release 21 tracks derived straight from the live recordings in an album titled “Rome” on Dec. 13.
“Rome” includes raw renditions of some of their biggest hits such as “I Need My Girl” and “Fake Empire.” The live album — including all 26 songs from the original setlist — is exclusively available on an Italian flag-inspired tri-colored vinyl to members of The National’s “Cherry Tree”, the band’s membership community.
