New Music Friday: 14 new releases for a July weekend (17 July 2026)

How’s the smoke where you are? In some parts of the country, it’s like living on Arrakis. I won’t go outside because of the sandworms. (IFKYK). Maybe if we turn up this week’s New Music Friday releases really loud, we’ll keep them away. It’s a single-heavy week, although a few new albums are on the shelves, too.

Singles

1. Beabadoobee, Switchblade (Dirty Hit/Interscope)

The British singer with the name that’s fun to say has just released the second single for her upcoming fourth album, Pylon, which will be out on September 18. This one is a little harder (shoegazey?) than some of her previous material. I’m good with that. In fact, this might be my favourite new single this week.

2. Beck, In the Night (Capitol)

Beck also has an album (Ride Lonesome) coming on September 18, which is two days after the start of a North American tour. He used the same band that appeared on his Sea Change album and Nigel Godrich (Radiohead’s favourite producer) twiddle the knobs. “Emotional textures” seems to be the buzzword here.

3. Violet Grohl, Bug in the Cake (Republic Records/Universal Music)

Dave’s daughter is having a nice run with her debut album, Be Sweet to Me. The first single, THUM, made it into the top ten on Canadian rock radio. Let’s see if she can keep the momentum going. Cool video.

4. Gym Class Heroes, Universal Language (Planetary Group)

It’s been a minute, hasn’t it, guys? Like fifteen years since your last single? Yeah, I thought so. There’s a new album coming? When? Oh, you don’t know. But you promise, right?

5. Mastodon, Snakes for Dinner feat. Josh Homme (Loma Vista/Concord)

Here’s the part of the list where Josh Homme takes over. The focus here, of course, is Mastodon, and the first single from their first album since 2021, which is due August 28. They’re kicking things off with a Josh Homme guest vocal.

6. Muse, Cryogen (Warner)

Muse is now on tour with their album, The Wow! Signal (Google the term) and Matt Bellamy is still very much into nerdy science things. A cryogen is a liquified gas (hydrogen, helium, argon) that is used to produce extremely cold conditions for various types of experiments, including those involving superconductivity. It’s also something used as a rocket propellent. Sounds like something Matt always has around the house. You know, for beer.

7. Nickelback, Rattle the Cage feat. John 5 (Virgin Music Group/Universal)

Funny, but I hadn’t heard about a new Nickelback album, but it has been four years since Get Rollin’, so I guess it’s time. Everything Under the Sun is set for release on October 30, and the first single features guitarist John 5, who has played with Motley Crue, Rob Zombie, David Lee Roth, and Marilyn Manson. So yes, it is a heavy song.

8. Queens of the Stone Age, Easy Street (Matador)

Back to Josh Homme, this time in his native habitat. Fans will remember this song from its debut during Queen of the Stone Age’s series of gigs in the catacombs of Paris. It’s the first new single to be properly released since 2023. Is there an album coming? Most certainly. They’re one tour with System of a Down, which will bring them to Rogers Stadium in Toronto on August 4, Regina on September 15, Edmonton, on September 17. and at BC Place in Vancouver on September 20.

9. Shania Twain, Faded Blue Jeans feat. Josh Homme (Republic)

Why would I include country star Shania Twain on a list of recommend rock records? Because Josh Homme is here, too, and I wanted to go for the New Music Friday trifecta. Listen for him on the chorus.

10. Twin Temple, Doomed Lovers (Pentagrammaton Records)

Twin Temple is having a great month. First, the husband-and-wife team (Alexandra and Zachary James) was kicked country star Charley Crockett’s tour for being too satanic. Great press. And the Jack White stepped in and offered Twin Temple a support slot. Even greater pres. Now the have a new album that everyone is curious about. Here’s the title track. By the way, they call their sound “Satanic doo-wop.”

11. Finn Wolfhard, Follow (Night Shift Productions/AWAL)

Yes, the Canadian actor best known for Stranger Things is diving even deeper into a music career. This is the new single from Fire from the Hip, his second solo album, which appeared last week. Shows are coming up in Toronto (July 24), Montreal (August 1), and Vancouver (October 20).

Albums

1. Quicksand, Bring on the Psychics (Equal Vision)

NYC’s Quicksand, one of the best post-hardcore bands out there, return with a new album in five years and reviews have been positive across the bored. That 90s sound is going to be with us for a while yet. This is a solid 138 seconds of what I’m talking about.

2. Tricky, Different When It’s Silent (False Idols)

The trip-hop pioneer is now up to 15 studio albums, and this is the first to be released under the name “Tricky” in six years. Marta Złakowska is a Polish singer whom Tricky met in 2017. Her history is worth checking into as well. Damn, what’s that sample/interpolation in the song? I know it but I can’t place it!

3. Yard Act, You’re Going to Need a Little Music (Republic)

When I first heard bits of this new album from Leeds’ Yard Act, I honestly thought I was listening to some new Sam Roberts Band material. Nope. But if you like Sam, you’ll love this.