THE A LIST (5.16.25)

Another week, another Top 10 countdown with The A List!

As always, I’m Nils, spinning the best in indie every Friday from 3–7 PM EST on Inhailer Radio. You can tune in 24/7 with DJs 7 days a week. Check us out right here at inhailer.com, the Inhailer Radio App, or locally on WGUC 90.9 HD-3. Let's get into our favorites this week:

10. "Hallelujah" - Artificial Go

Starting things off this week is a Cincinnati group we've been buzzing about here at Inhailer. They're quickly following up their 2024 debut record "Hopscotch Fever" with their new album "Musical Chairs", out today! I still love the very funny (and accurate) quote from Stereogum about them: "Artificial Go come from Cincinnati, but they sound like British people trying to sound like they’re German, or maybe like Swedes trying to sound like they’re Scottish."

9. "Somebody New" - Tunde Adebimpe

It's hard to believe that this TV on the Radio front man never has released a solo record, but we're glad that it's finally here! Especially with the TVotR drought we've had for new music from them. Luckily they're embarking on an extensive tour with LCD Soundsystem later this summer!

8. "In My Head" - Carriers

Cincinnati's Carriers are here with their much anticipated sophomore release "Every Time I Feel Afraid" and they have NOT disappointed. This is his first release on The National's Dessner brother's label Brassland. This is the perfect album opener to a perfect album. We're lucky to have Carriers.

7. "Metal" - The Beths

We're so here for this new jangly jam from New Zealand's The Beths! We don't know if there's a 2025 album on the way, but if this song is any indication of their new sound, we're ready for it!

6."Year of the Snake" - Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire are back somewhat under the radar with their new record "Pink Elephant", out now. They're channeling the understated dance sound off of the back side of 2013's "Reflektor" on this lead single.

5. "Enough is Enough" - The Hives

Moving up from #9 last week, we've got Sweden's The Hives with a ripper from their upcoming album. Pelle Almqvist called their new album "raw as fuck", and after hearing it, we're sure you'll agree.

"The Hives Forever Forever The Hives" is out 8/29 on PIAS

4. "Deadstick" - King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

King Gizz can't be stopped. Their 27th studio album is out this year and this time they've got a full orchestra backing them for a sound they've yet to explore. We're in full support of any sound they want to explore at this point. We're still waiting for their full rap album a la "The Grim Reaper".

Phantom Island is 6/13 on p(doom) Records.

3. "Radio Free Europe (Jacknife Lee Remix)" - R.E.M.

This one was a surprise! This is a remix of their 1981 debut single, which is still important in 2025. The song title is named after Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the American radio networks that transmitted their broadcasts into Soviet-controlled countries during the Cold War. R.E.M.’s new benefit EP Radio Free Europe 2025 raises money for Radio Free Europe, which still exists today as an editorially independent nonprofit. This 2025 remix by Jacknife Lee of their debut single really brings out the groove of the original.

The "Radio Free Europe 2025" vinyl EP is out 9/12 in independent record stores, and you can pre-order it directly from R.E.M. here.

2. "Aerial Troubles" - Stereolab

Stereolab are holding strong at #2 two weeks in a row! Can you tell we're excited about their comeback? This is the lead single off of their upcoming album (their first in 15 years) and man do we love it. It's like they never left. It's classic Stereolab, but with a richer sound, which is exactly what we want.

"Instant Holograms On Metal Film" is out 5/23 via Duophonic UHF Disks/Warp Records

1. "Spike Island" - Pulp

Moving their way up from #5 to the top spot at #1 this week is Jarvis Cocker and Co: Pulp. They're releasing their first album in 24 years (!!) and they're proving they've still got it with this comeback single. Speaking with Pitchfork, Cocker is taking a hard stance against musicians using AI with this statement: "We hope you enjoy the music. It was written & performed by four human beings from the North of England, aided & abetted by five other human beings from various locations in the British Isles. No A.I. was involved during the process." "More" will be out 6/6 on Rough Trade.

Same time next week? Thanks for joining us for this week's A List!

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