For Bleachers’ recent world tour, Tobias Rylander was tasked with realizing Antonoff’s vision of bringing a functional replica of Antonoff’s production space at Electric Lady Studios to the stages of Madison Square Garden and the Greek Theater in New York City and Los Angeles, respectively.
“He’s such a staple at Electric Lady that he’s kind of become that room in a way,” Rylander recently told Surface. “Any and all musicians he works with come there.” If you’ve heard a pop hit lately with hazy synths, shimmering instrumentals, vocals best described as ‘haunting,’ and a pulse-quickening bridge, Antonoff has probably had a hand in it; the producer’s collaborators include Lana Del Rey, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, and more. “Bleachers fans are what I call educated fans. They know a lot about the band, its music, its history, and they’re usually as much fans of Jack and his work with other artists,” Rylander says. “It becomes a really big family affair.”.
One of the few true enigmatic artists operating in this age of candid digitalism, Montell Fish is a fiercely creative entity, who tightly fits his cult status pocket; a marauding maverick. Today, (27th September) the singer-songwriter unveils his new album, Charlotte, an expressionistic effigy that cuts deep below its scorched surface.
It’s the second installment of the JCM trilogy that began with 2022’s excellent record Jamie, with this fresh opus a continuation of Fish’s sprawling methodology and philosophical outlook to songwriting. Across the LP—made in close collaboration with Jacob Portrait of Unknown Mortal Orchestra—Fish examines love, ambition, grief and discovery with a fearless poise, thoughtful in his ideas and visceral in his performance atop the genre-spanning sonic palettes.
Remi Wolf has released her latest album, Big Ideas, with the dynamic disco-funk track “Cinderella” leading the way. The artist’s distinctive sound combines lively instrumentation and introspective lyrics, reflecting her daily struggles and mood swings. Building on the success of her 2021 debut Juno, Big Ideas explores a spectrum of genres—from ’60s soul to ’90s indie folk and psychedelic rock—showcasing Wolf’s versatile musicality.
Claire Cottrill, professionally known as Clairo, has released her third album, Charm, in collaboration with producer Leon Michels. Building on the vintage instrumentation explored in her previous work Sling and revisiting the synth-pop style of her debut Immunity, Cottrill creates an album of dazzlingly delicate indie-pop, so cohesive it presents as a whimsical little world of its own.
Inspired by a diverse range of influences including jazz singer-pianist Blossom Dearie, cult songwriter Margo Guryon, and iconic bands like the Beach Boys and Harry Nilsson, Cottrill delves into themes of mystery and allure on Charm. This album marks a significant evolution in her musical journey, blending elements from her past albums to showcase a singular artistic vision.
“God Said No” plunges more deeply into the raw, unsettled, often contradictory emotions of a crumbling relationship. Apollo sings about sorrow, regret, doubt and disbelief, along with bitterness, anger and lingering desire. It’s not a clean break with one side to blame; it’s far more complicated.
Teo Halm, one of Apollo’s co-producers on “Evergreen,” is an executive producer (with Apollo) on “God Said No,” which retains and expands that song’s pensive mood. Most of the new album sounds deliberately modest, verging on low-fi. Its tone suggests troubled thoughts and uncomfortable conversations, small-scale and introspective — seemingly private, not overtly theatrical.
Zach Bryan’s latest album, The Great American Bar Scene, released on Warner Records, continues his trademark style of poignant, acoustic-driven songs that resonate deeply with his audience. Known for his emotionally charged lyrics and stripped-down musical approach, Bryan maintains his raw authenticity on this fifth album in only five years. Guests on the record include Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer and Maggie Rogers.
Gracie Abrams has soared to prominence over the past four years with her EP This Is What It Feels Like and debut album Good Riddance, becoming a staple on every “sad girl summer playlist”. Collaborating with Aaron Dessner and touring with Taylor Swift, she earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Her sophomore album The Secret of Us sharpens her introspective songwriting, exploring themes of heartbreak and self-discovery.
