This week, hear new music from U.K. acts Olivia Dean and Jungle, Australian post-punk outfit RVG, Boricua artist Ana Macho, and Minneapolis rock band Gully Boys. Plus, Jenny Lewis is back with another single from her forthcoming album Joy’All.

Olivia Dean, “UFO”

The buzzy U.K. singer, Olivia Dean, has a dreamy, glitchy quality to her music that is reminiscent of Imogen Heap or Bon Iver. Her debut album, Messy, will be out June 30. On the record, she’s showing her growth and shifting alt-pop; as Dean shared about the album, “This doesn’t have to be a destination, it’s just where I’m at now.”

Jenny Lewis, “Psychos”

Jenny Lewis has crafted the sort of indie career many would love to have; child star of cult beloved films, lead singer of cult beloved Rilo Kiley, and a solo career that stays indie even if she opens for big pop stars like Harry Styles (who recently made a cameo in the music video for her song “Puppy and a Truck”). Lewis’s new album continues her recent unlucky-in-love Americana streak, with Joy’All coming out June 9. Beck helped inspire the album by hosting a weeklong workshop that kicked Lewis into new, free-form songs leaning on clichés, but that still sound fresh and new.

RVG, “Squid”

Aussie post-punkers RVG released their critically acclaimed debut record five years ago, leading to opening acts for Pixies, Kurt Vile, and Sleaford Mods. The four-piece are releasing their third album, Brain Worms, on June 2. The dark and sludgy “Squid” shows the influence of producer James Trevascus (who has previously worked with Nick Cave), and features an acoustic guitar once owned by Kate Bush.

Jungle, “Candle Flame” feat. Erick The Architect

The dance floor-jamming U.K. duo, Jungle, are feeling even freer with their new song, “Candle Flame” feat. Erick The Architect. The funk- and soul-infused sound will fill their fourth album, Volcano, which is coming out August 11. J Lloyd of the band told NME, “I think for Jungle, it’s actually really the most honest record we’ve made.”

Ana Macho, “El Gran Varón” feat. La Brega

As part of a compilation celebrating the music of Puerto Rico, La Brega: El Álbum, Puerto Rican trans non-binary pop musician Ana Macho covered Willie Colón’s version of “El Gran Varón.” The song was already ahead of its time when it was released in 1989, discussing a queer person’s relationship with their hypermasculine father, but Macho gives the song an ‘80s new wave/dance fervor, and said, “I really wanted to make it feel like a song that a queer person in the Eighties might hear.”

Gully Boys, “Optimist”

The local rockers, Gully Boys, are back with a new single about trusting someone who probably didn’t deserve it. It’s a bright and punchy single from the now four-piece who last released Favorite Son back in 2021 and “See You See” in 2022. Hopefully this is just a taste of what’s to come from the band this year.

Playlist