Tag: Janky Fresh Friday
Janky Fresh Friday: New Releases From A$AP Rocky and Sleaford Mods
Janky Smooth Central Command
January 16, 2026
The beginning of each year can often feel a bit stagnant for new albums with many artists waiting until the Spring or Summer to release their work to the public, especially in genres based around youthful party cultures such as hip-hop. With how crazy the world feels in 2026 however, there isn’t a better time to completely subvert audience expectations and act as a trailblazer within your genre. The world needs art more than ever, and it’s needed as soon as possible. Thankfully, we have two very unexpected hip-hop releases to kick off the year with A$AP Rocky and Sleaford Mods blessing us with two albums full of unpredictable excitement just when we need it the most. A$AP Rocky: Don’t Be Dumb (released January 16, 2025): AWGE, A$AP Worldwide, RCA Records Hip-hop is almost completely unrecognizable from the 2010’s when A$AP Rocky first rose to prominence. At the time, it was almost hard to keep up with new releases every month from both veteran rappers and brand new artists seemingly coming out of nowhere. In 2025 however; this is nowhere near the case considering the major gap between Gen Z’s Soundcloud generation and the DatPiff mixtape culture that came
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Janky Fresh Friday: New Releases from Dry Cleaning and Bad Beat
Janky Smooth Central Command
January 9, 2026
This January is a pretty fun month for new releases which makes it harder to choose what to disseminate for our very first Janky Fresh Friday of 2026. We thought we had it easy with Dry Cleaning releasing new music and we decided to go with Bad Beat’s Xmas day release as the split single of this article. But it’s not always easy when you have mixed feelings about something new from a band you love and that is a first for Janky Fresh Friday…. I’m sure it’s not the last. related: Top Artists to Watch in 2026 Dry Cleaning: Secret Love (released January 9, 2026): 4AD Records The kings and queens of deadpan post punk are back with Dry Cleaning’s kickoff to 2026, Secret Love. When Dry Cleaning first appeared on the scene, I was all about it, making it a point to catch their highly anticipated Teragram Ballroom introduction to Los Angeles. Seeing them again at Primavera Sound, they had refined their music by then and fully manifested everything anyone could’ve wanted from a deadpan, vocal driven post punk band. That style of vocal was something I was wanting to hear from a modern band for a long
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Janky Smooth Top 10 ALBUMS of 2025 Rated by Contributors
Janky Smooth Central Command
December 22, 2025
Year end lists don’t define many music publications anymore. But we’d like to change that. The Janky Smooth Year End Lists are personal to each of our contributors that participated and our contributors define the focus of our music blog. And while everyone can post their personal year end lists on social media with varying degrees of traction, it’s the collective that has always defined Janky Smooth and what we cover. It’s hard to tell if 2025 was a banner year for Independent Music or if Janky Smooth covered it in a way that we never have in the last 11 years. It would be strictly rhetorical to ask if the volatile times we live in were feeding artists inspiration that led to their most seminal works of art, but it would not be if we asked if we covered more new releases than we ever had in our history. In the latter half of 2025 we introduced Janky Fresh Friday to focus on artist in the studio as much as we spotlight the artists onstage. As a result, the contributors at Janky Smooth have felt like we have been able to offer a more holistic view of bands and
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Janky Fresh Friday: New Releases from Nas w/ DJ Premier & Danny L Harle
Janky Smooth Central Command
December 12, 2025
Here at Janky Smooth, Friday’s are for nerding out on new releases. This week, we dive deep into new music from Nas and DJ Premier VS Danny L Harle w/ Rachika Nayar-artists that are rarely mentioned side by side. In contrast to the two reviewing them, Rob Shepyer and Danny Ryan should ALWAYS be side by side- especially when discussing new music. Nas and DJ Premier: Light-Years (released December 12, 2025): Mass Appeal Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones aka Nas is one of hip hop’s most legendary and authentic children. His seminal album Illmatic still slaps, sounding like it was recorded in ancient history, 1994, yet carrying forward through time like a hip hop heirloom. Something passed down from generation to generation, almost like an oral bible or a survival guide to help people endure the insanity that is New York City. Illmatic remains true so long as New York remains chaotic, and as America’s greatest city, neither will ever change whether it is Giuliani or Mamdani as mayor. This is 2025 though, and Nas’ relevancy far surpasses his classic efforts. When paired with producers from newer generations he inspired, Nas shines to new audiences that may not have been
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Janky Fresh Black Friday: New Releases From Bad Brains and WITCH
Rob Shepyer
November 28, 2025
What are fans of rock and roll music thankful for this Janky Fresh Black Friday after Thanksgiving? They’re thankful for hardcore punk music and psychedelic rock, both genres owing debts to bands that released music today in the later eras of their iconic careers. The first is Bad Brains, out with Live at The Bayou, a lost recording from a Washington D.C. show on July 14th 1980, while the second is another lost recording in the form of legendary Zamrock band WITCH’s Fool’s Ride, released for the first time in the United States. Both were rediscovered as further evidence that the world is reaching some kind of spiritual completion on the other side of these turbulent birthing pains. related: Janky Fresh Friday- New Releases by Home Front and Oneohtrix Point Never For those unfamiliar with these bands, they have something in common besides the fact that both of these releases were once difficult to attain in America. There’s something that connects them beyond their positions as seminal bands in their genres, breaking new musical ground and inspiring numerous musical offspring. Whether you’re a pilgrim or an Indigenous native on this Black Friday after Thanksgiving, give thanks to our brothers from
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Janky Fresh Friday: New Releases From Oneohtrix Point Never and Home Front
Danny Ryan
November 21, 2025
Today’s new albums for Friday, November 7th, 2025, are two releases that may come from genres known for their simplicity, but both completely throw all preconceived notions about said genres out the window with how innovative and forward thinking each of these artists have consistently been throughout their careers. Oneohtrix Point Never almost needs no introduction in the conversation of avant-garde experimental music, being a trailblazer for Warp Records and arguably taking Aphex Twin’s place as King of IDM over the past few years. On the flipside, Home Front has been making waves in Oi punk since they first stepped on the scene with their ambitiously insane incorporations of new-wave, post-punk, and arena rock elements to the normally barebones genre. related: Janky Fresh Friday – New Releases from Orville Peck and FKA Twigs OPN’s album is a return to form in a lot of ways, shoving every element of his artistic identity in your face and sticking a flag in the sand of his place in experimental electronic music. Being a much newer artist, Home Front, is conversely finding their identity more and more with each release and creating their own brand of destroying genre-limiting boundaries. Both of these albums
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Janky Fresh Friday: New Releases by Orville Peck and FKA Twigs
Danny Ryan
November 14, 2025
Welcome to Janky Fresh Friday- the busiest day of the week for artists and labels to drop newly released music. Check in every Friday for a fresh squeeze. As part of Janky Smooth’s Janky Fresh Friday series, we’ve been comparing two albums that come out on the same day and seemingly have nothing in common- for the sole purpose of discovering the wealth of similarities between two disparate things. In some respects, it’s an exercise in empathy, learning how to appreciate differences, placing yourself in the shoes of a different subculture, and putting forth an effort to celebrate music as a whole. related: Janky Fresh Friday – New Releases by Drain and Danny Brown Today’s albums for Friday, November 7th, 2025, are releases from two of the most forward-thinking and strongest personalities in music pop culture at the moment, Orville Peck for country music and FKA Twigs for art-pop music. While Orville Peck’s release Appaloosa is just an EP and FKA Twigs’ newest album Eusexua Afterglow appears to be a sister album to her previous release, both of these releases are more groundbreaking staples in these artists’ discographies than you would expect. Orville Peck: Appaloosa (released November 14, 2025):
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Janky Fresh Friday: New Releases by Drain and Danny Brown
Danny Ryan
November 7, 2025
Welcome to Janky Fresh Friday- the busiest day of the week for artists and labels to drop newly released music. Check in every Friday for a fresh squeeze. As part of Janky Smooth’s Janky Fresh Friday series, we’ve been comparing two albums that come out on the same day and seemingly have nothing in common- for the sole purpose of discovering the wealth of similarities between two disparate things. In some respects, it’s an exercise in empathy, learning how to appreciate differences, placing yourself in the shoes of a different subculture, and putting forth an effort to celebrate music as a whole. related: Janky Fresh Friday – Chat Pile w/ Hayden Pedigo and Guided By Voices Today’s albums for Friday, November 7th, 2025, are two of the most ambitious releases of the year from scenes that used to be more closely connected than you see nowadays. The relationship between punk and hip-hop has a long history and this fusion was a staple of underground shows in Los Angeles for the longest time. There are very few rappers that cross over into punk, hardcore, or metal anymore but Danny Brown has consistently been dedicated to these collaborations since his tour
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Janky Fresh Friday- Chat Pile w/ Hayden Pedigo and Guided By Voices
Janky Smooth Central Command
October 31, 2025
Welcome to Janky Fresh Friday- the busiest day of the week for artists and labels to drop newly released music. Check in every Friday for a fresh squeeze. As part of Janky Smooth’s Janky Fresh Friday series, we’ve been comparing two albums that come out on the same day. related: Janky Fresh Friday- New Releases From Militarie Gun and Tame Impala This week we have an album from a punk rock institution and a band creating an institution since no others exist that they can fit into neatly. related: Janky Fresh Friday- Record Release Shows for Spiritual Cramp and Patriarchy Danny Baraz gives us his thoughts on the unlikely collaboration between Chat Pile and singer/songwriter, Hayden Pedigo and Rob Shepyer delves into an all time personal favorite that’s back and still has something to say- Guided by Voices. Chat Pile and Hayden Pedigo- “In The Earth Again” Computer Students Once the initial shock of “In The Earth Again”, the full length collaboration album between Oklahoma City’s Chat Pile and Amarillo Texas’ Hayden Pedigo wears off, what’s left is a surprisingly cohesive concept album between kindred spirits. The contrast in bodies of work is miles apart in sound but the final product
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Janky Fresh Friday: Record Release Shows for Spiritual Cramp and Patriarchy
Janky Smooth Central Command
October 24, 2025
Welcome to Janky Fresh Friday- the busiest day of the week for artists and labels to drop newly released music. Check in every Friday for a fresh squeeze. As part of Janky Smooth’s Janky Fresh Friday series, we’ve been comparing two albums that come out on the same day and seemingly have nothing in common- for the sole purpose of discovering the wealth of similarities between two disparate things. related: Janky Fresh Friday – New Albums from Tame Impala and Militarie Gun This week we mix things up a bit to examine two new albums with late-October 2025 record release parties in LA. Spiritual Cramp’s free show sponsored by Marshall at Zebulon on 10/21 reminded us of what rock music should be all about; and Patriarchy’s upcoming record release party at The Lodge Room on 10/26 is about to be one of the creepiest and most gritty dance-parties you’ve ever been to, just in time for Halloween. Author Danny Ryan gives his review of Spiritual Cramp’s RUDE, with photos by Taylor Wong from the Zebulon record release show. Author Rob Shepyer breaks down Patriarchy’s new album for us in preparation of their upcoming Lodge Room performance. Spiritual Cramp: RUDE (released
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Janky Fresh Friday: New Albums from Tame Impala and Militarie Gun
Rob Shepyer
October 17, 2025
Welcome to Janky Fresh Friday- the busiest day of the week for artists and labels to drop newly released music. Check in every Friday for a fresh squeeze. As part of Janky Smooth’s Janky Fresh Friday series, we’ve been comparing two albums that come out on the same day and seemingly have nothing in common- for the sole purpose of discovering the wealth of similarities between two disparate things. In some respects, it’s an exercise in empathy, learning how to appreciate differences, placing yourself in the shoes of a different subculture, and putting forth an effort to celebrate music as a whole. related: Janky Fresh Friday – New Albums from Mobb Deep and Sanguisugabogg Today’s albums for Friday, October 17th, 2025, are two highly anticipated bangers, one from arguably the most vibrant and prevalent scene in Los Angeles and the other from one of the most iconic artists in psychedelic rock, the former pillar genre of LA’s underground music. First though, let’s define fresh or freshness. Before the term was ever appropriated for music, culture, or fashion, it was once a descriptor for food, something that replenishes us, quenches our hunger and thirst, and ultimately connects our bodies to
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Janky Fresh Friday: New Albums from Mobb Deep and Sanguisugabogg
Danny Ryan
October 10, 2025
Welcome to Janky Fresh Friday- the busiest day of the week for artists and labels to drop newly released music. Check in every Friday for a fresh squeeze. Sanguisugabogg: Hideous Aftermath (released October 10, 2025): Century Media Records Sanguisugabogg has been my favorite modern metal band for the past few years, with their absolutely masterful craft of combining the sounds of classic 90’s death metal with the attitude of the modern hardcore scene to create an environment of absolute chaotic violence at their live shows. Death metal/Slam metal have been crossing over into the hardcore scene much more within the past year, but unfortunately this album does seem like it’s a mark for the beginning of the end for this collision of worlds. The new album “Hideous Aftermath” is significantly slower than the previous ones, and it takes itself much more seriously. I was actually relieved upon hearing the first breakdown of the album, as I almost forgot I was listening to a Sanguisugabogg album with how long it took for the crowd-killing moments to arrive. related: Sound And Fury 2023 – The Stage Dive Will Never Die The casual metalhead who sees Sanguisugabogg at a large festival while
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