Happy Fresh Friday! Today we focus on Thundercat- a grammy award winning, musical prodigy that has never let his music education get in the way of writing a good song. His most recent 15 tracks have come packaged in a full length album called Distracted and it may be Thundercat’s most focused work to date. This is definitely a Friday kind of album and I have not been able to stop listening to it all week.
This Fresh Friday also see’s new releases by Arlo Parks and feedback wizards, Sunn 0))). Let’s get into it.
Thundercat- Distracted (Released April 3rd 2026)- Brainfeeder
Thundercat (Stephen Lee Bruner) live shows are displays of intense virtuosity- violent rhythms that would abuse and waterboard most uninitiated players and leaves listeners shell shocked with gaping jaws and wide eyes.
I cannot over state this. There is no one in contemporary music playing their instruments and pushing them into uncharted waters like Thundercat and his collaborators- keyboardist Dennis Hamm and an alien drummer named Justin Brown who left me in awe after their most recent Camp Flog Gnaw performance.
related: Tyler’s Camp Flog Gnaw Year 10 Intersects w/ Chromakopia Number 1
We can mention Kamasi Washington as another contemporary prodigy but being a saxophone player and band leader doesn’t grab as much attention in this short form society- even if it a tenor sax. And while it would be easy to accuse Thundercat of being a jazz man, he’s actually even nerdier, less rigid and more limber musically than most Jazz musicians- and that’s what makes him so cool. Thundercat is already the greatest bass player of his generation and it isn’t even close. After the last time I saw him live I’d say he’s making the case for greatest of all time.
related: Desert Daze 2021- Music, Magick and Medicine
In contrast, Thundercat albums are carefully crafted creations and collaborations and a majority of his consumers have very little reference in their lives of Jazz or Jazz , Rock and Funk’s pop mutation- Yacht Rock. The chord progressions and changes are beyond anything released by his contemporaries or in the catalogs of MOST of his fans.
Thundercat remains accessible as a result of his vocals and songwriting and Distracted has the same relatable songs of heartache, existential awareness and a controlled and soothing mania that gives a voice to living in the modern world.
It’s been 6 years to the day since Thundercat released his last album- It Is What It Is. Think about everything that has happened since April 3rd 2020. Then listen to this album.
The song that got my attention right away and is already Thundercat’s top track on Apple Music is a posthumous collaboration with rapper, Mac Miller called “She Knows Too Much”. It’s a decree of an unrequited love, longing and negative self talk:
She (Ooh-wee) way out of my league, can’t buy her love (Baby)
(Can’t buy her love, ooh-wee)
All the books she read, she know way too much
(She knows way too much)
Girl, don’t know me, you don’t know enough (Baby)
(She don’t know me, woo)
Said (Ooh-wee), if you don’t know me, you don’t know enough (Baby)
(She don’t know me, woo)
That gives way to truly seeing yourself and another for who they are…
You got trouble payin’ rent now
Live in an apartment, I can take you to the penthouse (Cha-ching)
Got a stepchild, gone like exile
Make me say, “Woo,” every time you pull your breasts out (Ooh)
(She got so much love) I’m feelin’ left out
(I can be your drug) When you’re stressed out (Yeah)
I know you say it’s true love, but why you always hit me when the check bounce? (Ooh)
Ooh, yeah, we in love
Tell me what I gotta do to get my dick sucked (Ooh)
She a pin-up, lookin’ for a rich one (Ooh)
Need to take your ass on home, pick your kid up (Pick your goddamn kid up)
Yeah, heart movin’ to the kick drum
You ain’t have none, girl? Better get some (Ooh)
You can talk about the universe and energy
But all you really want is a celebrity (You motherfuckin’ bitch, bitch)
There’s the obvious hit tracks like “No More Lies”, a collab with Kevin Parker of Tame Impala- an instant Yacht Rock classic. While exploring themes of being real with your partner, in the end they blame the difficulty in doing so on living in L.A.- a tongue in cheek cop out.
My therapist told me that I should tell you the truth
But you’re still angry
So sometimes I still feel like I should have lied
I tell you the truth because I care
But I also lie to you because I care
But if I tell you the truth I guess I can sleep better at night?
But then, it looks like I don’t care because I’m telling you the truth
I mean
I guess I’m just not a
Everybody hates when they get to that part when they realise that
I don’t wanna tell you I don’t care but if it seems like I don’t care
It doesn’t mean I don’t care
It just looks like I don’t care
Because my emotions have been sanded off
I live in LA, sweetie, what do you expect?
Sweeping, ethereal sonic landscapes, high end collabs with A$AP Rocky, Lil Yachty and of course, Flying Lotus and an almost sycophantic approach to vibe. Distracted feels focused and supremely cohesive in it’s unique arrangements.
One of my favorite tracks on the album, so far is,”Anakin Learns His Fate” – with a writing credit from Haley Joel Osment, of all people. It’s yet another hilarious confession but the groove is very distinct and the head bob is unavoidable on this track.
The track “Great American” is wonderful commentary:
Stressed out, burnt out
I’m moving way too fast
I need to reel it in, I just might bust my ass
I might hurt myself
Don’t know much, everything I do is a learned behaviour
A true “Truman Show”, a true “Truman Show”
Midday, still weird
I’m probably overthinking
Yes, I saw you called, I’m still not calling back
‘Cause I’m overwhelmed
Dear Lord, send help
I’m talking to my cats (Meow)
I keep vacuuming and nothing’s getting clean
‘Cause I’m overwhelmed
One thing’s for sure
You’re gonna find a way to leave
But before you go, please return my clothes
You can’t have my coat
Don’t know much, everything I do is a learned behaviour
I keep fucking up, but I land on my feet
Finally we have “Walking On The Moon”- a ballad without the jokes and self deprecation that are synonymous with Thundercat lyrics. This track feels like effortless breath work- space to breathe, completely in the moment and awestruck by the tingles and galactic vibes of new relationship energy.
It will be fun to watch Stephen Lee Bruner win more Grammy’s for this album and to continue to cement the Thundercat legacy as one of the most notable musicians of his generation.
Other Notable Releases:
Sunn 0)))- Self Titled (released April 3rd 2026)- Sub Pop Records
The new Sunn 0))) self titled album was released today and critics are already lauding it as their finest work. These feedback wizards and cabinet ministers are dedicated noise as music. A distorted landscape that can’t be pigeonholed to anything existing on earth.
Arlo Parks- Ambiguous Desire (April 3rd 2026)- Transgressive Records
Arlo Parks has made a shift. This established, alternative/indie artist makes a dramatic turn into underground club music and the result is not what you would imagine. Check it out and decide for yourself.
Have a great Fresh Friday and enjoy your new music.
Words: Danny Baraz
