Whether you’re heading away or staying put, this long weekend calls for a considered listening edit. Japanese Breakfast’s For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) and Thundercat’s Distracted lead the new releases, alongside Arlo Parks’ latest. For something more conversational, Search Engine, Articles of Interest, Empire City and The Telepathy Tapes offer plenty to get into. Rounded out with classics from Fleetwood Mac, Lauryn Hill and David Bowie, this is a soundtrack to dip in and out of all weekend long.
New Albums
Ambiguous Desire
Arlo Parks
Arlo Parks continues her evolution as one of Britain’s most perceptive young songwriters. Her latest work leans further into atmospheric production while preserving the emotional clarity that made her debut so beloved. Parks writes about vulnerability and connection with rare sensitivity, creating songs that feel intimate, observant, and quietly universal.
Song to start with: 2 Sided
For Melancholy Brunettes
(& Sad Women)
Japanese Breakfast
Michelle Zauner returns with a record that leans into lush arrangements and reflective songwriting. Expanding her indie pop palette with orchestral touches and atmospheric textures, the album balances introspection with moments of surprising warmth and melodic clarity.
Song to start with: Orlando in Love
Thundercat
Distracted
Jazz virtuosity meets cosmic funk in Thundercat’s wonderfully strange musical universe. The bassist’s latest work blends dazzling musicianship with introspection and moments of surprising tenderness. Few artists make technical brilliance feel this relaxed, proving that music and imagination still go hand in hand.
Song to start with: No More Lies (feat. Tame Impala)
Classics to revisit
Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
Recorded amid breakups and spectacular interpersonal drama, Rumours transformed emotional chaos into immaculate pop craftsmanship. Nearly five decades later, its songwriting remains flawless.
Song to start with: The Chain
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
A singular masterpiece blending soul, hip hop, and gospel with remarkable lyrical honesty.
Song to start with: Doo Wop (That Thing)
Let’s Dance
David Bowie
Bowie’s collaboration with Nile Rodgers fused art rock with irresistible dance-floor grooves.
Song to start with: Modern Love
Intriguing Podcasts
Search Engine
PJ Vogt investigates curious questions about the internet and modern life, turning digital mysteries into thoughtful explorations of contemporary culture. Each episode begins with a seemingly trivial puzzle before unfolding into something far more revealing about the strange ways technology shapes everyday experience.
Articles of Interest
Clothing becomes cultural anthropology in this endlessly fascinating podcast hosted by Avery Trufelman. Each episode unpacks the hidden histories behind everyday garments, revealing how fashion intersects with politics, identity, and design. Even listeners who claim little interest in clothing may find themselves unexpectedly captivated.
Empire City
This investigative series examines how power actually operates inside modern cities. From political manoeuvring to the influence of technology billionaires, the podcast reveals the networks shaping urban life today. Smart, sharply reported listening for anyone curious about how decisions affecting millions are really made.
The Telepathy Tapes
Blending rigorous research with open curiosity, The Telepathy Tapes explores controversial questions surrounding consciousness and human perception. Through interviews with scientists and researchers, the series examines claims about non-verbal communication and cognitive connection. Fascinating territory where science and mystery quietly overlap.
