6 must-listen new album from Butcher Brown, Yukimi, Spellling and more

This week brings a diverse collection of new releases spanning jazz-pop, rock, instrumental fusion, indie folk, R&B, and alternative. Yukimi Nagano steps away from Little Dragon for a solo debut, SPELLLING shifts toward rock, Butcher Brown blends jazz with multiple genres, Serebii showcases vocals on his sophomore effort, Jessie Reyez delivers her third studio album, and Q releases a concise mixtape ahead of a full album.

Yukimi – For You

Swedish artist Yukimi Nagano, known as the vocalist of electronic quartet Little Dragon, releases her debut solo album “For You” via Ninja Tune. After nearly three decades with her band, Yukimi presents a personal jazz-pop record that differs from Little Dragon’s dance-oriented sound. The 13-track album features her vocals over minimalist jazz arrangements, with collaborations including Lianne La Havas, De La Soul’s Pos, and Yukimi’s father, Yusuke Nagano. The record explores themes of motherhood, family, loss, and feminine energy through songs like “Sad Makeup,” “Winter Is Not Dead,” “Elinam,” and “No Prince.”

SPELLLING – Portrait of My Heart

Bay Area artist Chrystia Cabral’s project SPELLLING releases her fourth album “Portrait of My Heart” via Sacred Bones Records. This album marks a departure toward a more rock-centric sound compared to her previous ethereal compositions. Working with her touring band and producers Drew Vandenberg, Rob Bisel, and Psymun, Cabral blends alt-rock, power pop, and 90s elements across 11 tracks. Notable songs include “Alibi” (featuring Turnstile guitarist Pat McCrory), “Drain” (with Zulu’s Braxton Marcellous), and a cover of My Bloody Valentine’s “Sometimes.” The album also features a duet with Chaz Bear (Toro y Moi) on “Mount Analogue.”

Butcher Brown – Letters From The Atlantic

Richmond, Virginia quintet Butcher Brown releases “Letters From The Atlantic” via Concord Jazz. The 12-track collection combines their jazz foundation with rock, funk, R&B, soul, bossa nova, and house music influences. The album draws inspiration from locations along the East Coast and across the Atlantic, from the opening track “Seagulls” to the New York-inspired “Unwind” featuring Melanie Charles. Additional collaborators include Yaya Bey, Leanor Wolf, Mia Gladstone, Victoria Victoria, Nicholas Payton, and Neal Francis. Recorded at Spacebomb Studios with producer Alex De Jong, the album presents a more immersive sound than their previous work.

Serebii – Dime

New Zealand artist Callum Mower (Serebii) releases his sophomore album “Dime” via Innovative Leisure. Unlike his previous production-focused work, Mower places his vocals at the forefront of this ten-track collection. The album maintains a cohesive sound while incorporating trip-hop, Latin samba, and folk elements across songs like “Lungs” (featuring Tessa Dillon), “Goji,” and “Telling Lies.” While Mower created most of the album independently, he invited collaborators including Carla Camilleri, Leith Sye Towers, and Tessa Dillon. A notable track is “The Randan,” which features Mower’s grandfather Allan Watkins reading his own writing over a synth background.

Jessie Reyez – Paid in Memories

Toronto artist Jessie Reyez releases her third studio album “Paid In Memories” via FMLY and Republic Records. The 21-track project showcases Reyez’s development, with her handling both music and lyrics on many tracks. The album opens with “I Never Said I Was Sane” and features collaborations with Lil Wayne, Miguel, 6lack, Lil Yachty, Deyaz, Big Sean, and Ari Lennox. Standout tracks include the love song “Goliath,” “New York Baby,” and “Jeans” featuring Miguel. More personal moments appear on “Couldn’t Be Me,” which includes a voicemail from Sam Smith, and the reflective “Been Abouta Year.”

Q – 10 Songs

Florida-born R&B artist Q Marsden releases his mixtape “10 Songs” via Columbia Records. This project follows his 2023 sophomore album “Soul,PRESENT” and EP “Hello, Everyday Changes.” The son of dancehall producer Steven “Lenky” Marsden (creator of the “Diwali Riddim”), Q has music in his heritage. He produced and wrote the mixtape himself, incorporating elements from his Jamaican background alongside alternative R&B, pop, funk, and soul. Tracks like “be with ya” highlight his Caribbean influences, while “be brave” received accompanying visuals that Q shot and edited himself. The mixtape serves as a prelude to more releases planned for this year.