New Music Reviews (12/1)

Each week, Music Director Chris Sanley and Associate Music Director Alex Ruder share brief insights on new and upcoming releases for KEXP's rotation. These reviews help our DJs decide on what they want to play. See what we added this week below (and on our Charts page), including new releases from dexter in the newsagent, Still Blank, Tiberius, and more. 

dexter in the newsagent - Time Flies (RTW)

The debut mixtape from this alias of South London-based singer, songwriter and producer Charmaine Ayoku – recently prominently featured on Jim Legxacy’s ‘black british music (2025)’ – is a strong set of intimate, introspective, expansive alt-R&B infused with introspective acoustic pop and playful bedroom dance-pop influences and a distinctive foray into Flume-esque EDM terrain on “Did you try.” Written in the wake of her father’s passing, ‘Time Flies’ grapples with both the weight and uncertainty of familial grief and fledgling love through the lens of a budding young artist crafting her own uniquely personal and impressive R&B sound. -Alex Ruder-

Still Blank - Still Blank (National Anthem/Capitol)

Still Blank are a transatlantic duo composed of Hawaii-born, LA-based singer/multi-instrumentalist Jordy and Manchester, UK-based guitarist Ben (no last names provided) who formed after a chance encounter in Liverpool’s music scene in 2022. Their debut album is a super strong set of moody, edgy, magnetic alternative rock full of strong songs that fuse melodic grunge, gritty psych-folk, and brooding post-punk in impressive fashion. -Alex Ruder-

Tiberius - Troubadour (Audio Antihero)

The third album from Brendan Wright’s Tiberius project, and their label debut, is a gripping blend of alt-country, indie rock, and emo. What initially began as a solo project for Wright is now a fully formed quartet, adding a rich sonic tapestry to match the emotional weight of their gut-wrenching songs. ‘Troubador’ features hook-laden arrangements with guitars, pedal steel, banjo, synths, and Wright’s emphatic vocals, showcasing their infectious “farm emo” sound that will keep listeners coming back for more. –Chris Sanley–

Ella Eyre - everything, in time (Play It Again Sam)

Over a decade after her debut album, UK singer-songwriter Ella Eyre presents her stunning sophomore record at long last. With a vibrant fusion of R&B, soul, and retro funk, her powerhouse vocals take center stage as she effortlessly jumps through octaves, styles, and proverbial hoops, illuminating the void she left in the alt-R&B space.  –Chris Sanley–

Lance Ferguson - Rare Groove Spectrum, Vol. 3 (Tru Thoughts)

Lance Ferguson is a versatile New Zealand-born, Melbourne-based guitarist, producer, and DJ who’s an integral part of Australia’s vibrant soul/funk/groove scene as leader of The Bamboos and Menagerie, former member of Cookin’ on 3 Burners, and a solo artist releasing music under the moniker Lanu. The third installment in his ‘Rare Groove Spectrum’ series finds him bringing his rich fusion of styles to reinterpret and reimagine tracks from the likes of Jungle, Earth Wind & Fire, Idris Muhammad, Billy Brooks (famously sampled by A Tribe Called Quest), Billie Eilish, and more, and putting his own analogue-heavy, lushly-orchestrated rare groove spin on them. -Alex Ruder-

Magic Fig - Valerian Tea (Exploding In Sound)

The debut full-length album from this San Francisco band fronted by Inna Showalter and featuring members active in other Bay Area underground pop luminaries – including The Umbrellas, Whitney’s Playland, Almond Joy and Healing Potpourri – is another sharp showcase of their kaleidoscopic psychedelic pop music with a cosmic prog streak that’s colorful, sprawling, and lovingly indebted to San Francisco’s iconic psychedelic history. -AR

Psychedelic Porn Crumpets - Pogo Rodeo (What Reality?)

Australian outfit Psychedelic Porn Crumpets return with their eighth studio album, which marks their second full-length of the year. Bursting at the seams with raucous energy propelled by fiery guitars, fierce vocals, and explosive drums, while also providing some space for slower, more melodic moments, ‘Pogo Rodeo’ finds the five-piece firing on all cylinders as they showcase their high-octane fusion of psych, prog and garage. –CS

Sister Ray Davies - Holy Island (Sonic Cathedral)

The debut album from Muscle Shoals-based duo Sister Ray Davies is a beautifully atmospheric collection of shoegaze, dream pop, and indie rock. Featuring hazy vocals, layered guitars, and conceptual themes, these intricately textured arrangements strike a perfect balance between catchy melodies and experimental explorations, offering an excellent introduction to their dynamic sound. –CS

Weakened Friends - Feels Like Hell (Don Giovanni Records)

The third studio album from Portland, Maine-based trio Weakened Friends is raw, infectious, and rife with emotion. Featuring a potent blend of indie rock, grunge, and punk, ‘Feels Like Hell’  welcomes listeners to join in their wild scream into the void as these anthemic rockers offer catharsis to anyone in need. –CS