Ryan Dillon

In the mid to late 80s, there wasn’t a more innovative and dominant figure in East Coast hip-hop than Def Jam Records. The small label, started by two hip-hop hopefuls, blossomed into a media empire behind some of the most groundbreaking and long-standing hip-hop that is still discussed today. Founders Rick Rubin and Richard Simmons set out to become a part of an already burgeoning Hip-hop scene in New York City. By the late 80s, their presence was undeniable, so much so that they set their sights beyond the limits of NYC and, in 1987 sent out some of their most acclaimed and commercially successful artists on the road for The ‘87 Def Jam Tour.

With the many changes that happen to the world and personal lives daily, it is nice that 2024 has provided a touch of consistency via New Music Fridays. While every Friday is the home for new music releases, this year has yet to see an incredibly slow week. Some are better than others, but without fail, 2024 has provided multiple unforgettable albums from one Friday to the next. This week is no different as we dive into a twangy Friday of fantastic country releases that range from nostalgic to experimental. While country has a dominant presence on this week’s list, it is interrupted by groundbreaking Hip-hop and jazzy instrumentals to get lost in. Indie rock bands get vulnerable and lean towards their punk influences, while legends return triumphantly with stellar singles. We have another New Music Friday to soundtrack whatever mood you’re in.

Illuminati Hotties leader Sarah Tudzin has a lot on her plate. Along with fusing her pop tendencies with vulnerable songwriting on the band’s albums, she works outside of the project as a producer and engineer. Her experience in the studio is possibly what led to the pop-punk explosiveness of Power

Every music genre has its figureheads that immediately pop into everyone’s imagination when a particular style enters their ears. Any shredding guitar solo is quickly compared to Clapton, and every rapper in the new era is compared to the bar set by Kendrick Lamar; when it comes to the unique sub-genre of Trip-hop, Portishead should be one of the first names you think of. In 1994, Portishead released their debut album,

This might not be the most refreshing or controversial take, but the core elements of hip-hop have been lost in the corporate shuffle of the genre’s rising star. These core elements have been dissected and discussed since the genre’s birth, but generally speaking, the four pillars of hip-hop are emceeing, DJing, B-Boying, and Graffiti. While some of the new generations survive traditions, the essence of what they mean to the culture has been lost, especially the much-needed but largely unspoken fifth element: knowledge of the history of Hip-hop. While many of the artists from the Golden Age have achieved longevity and continue to be discussed among young hip-hop fans, the art of DJing and B-Boying have found their way into other avenues of pop culture, and Hip-hop never seems to get the credit it deserves.

As the summer slowly ends, it is time to break out the hoodies and update those playlists to match the autumn aesthetic. Whether you dive into acoustic folk that matches the chameleon-like tendencies of leaves or search for warmth in lo-fi fuzz, this week’s list of new music has something to get the ball rolling on your new soundtrack. 2024 has given us plenty of unforgettable music, and this Friday, while a touch slower than the past, is far from disappointing. Veteran musicians return in all glory, and modern heroes change sonic direction for daring and enticing albums. There is never a dull moment at the old Caustic factory, so clock in, kick back, and discover a new and exciting sonic realm.

Country music is being streamlined up the charts as a new pop-leaning genre resurgence has taken over pop culture. In turn, the latest crop of country stars has taken over Nashville, a sacred ground to the genre with high standards for their country artists. While much of the city’s famous Broadway Street is now overpopulated with bars catering to the new crowd of country fans, there are still a select few honky tonks that are sticking to tradition and keeping the spirit of the city alive. Robert’s Western World has been providing an authentic honky tonk experience for over 25 years, and they are just getting started.

At this point in his career, Ty Segall has established himself as a powerful force in the modern rock scene. Across over a decade of studio releases and side projects, Segall’s psychedelic guitar prowess has effortlessly captivated the music world. Every Segall project has little expectations as the artist has built a reputation for consistently tweaking his fuzzy rock sound. Still, even with those standards set, Segall’s latest outing is a creative hail mary to the furthest end of the artist’s musical scope. Love Rudiments has Segall putting his pen and guitar on the back burner and picking up two drumsticks for a percussion-driven, jazzy instrumental LP. Throughout four syncopated suites, Segall creates otherworldly drum patterns that toy with ambiance as they revel in unpredictability.

Many people will point to Outkast when discussing the origins of Atlanta’s hip-hop scene. Over the years, the city has become a breeding ground for innovative rap music, a trend that continues to this day. While Outkast should be rightfully credited for popularizing the city’s refreshing take on the genre, Atlanta’s music scene was already thriving by the time the rest of the country caught up to it. One of the leaders of Atlanta’s burgeoning scene was Arrested Development, a group that kicked down the doors for Southern Hip-hop.

When you think of the artists who pioneered hip-hop into the Golden Age we all cherish, a few names could come to mind. Doug E. Fresh, LL Cool J, and Queen Latifa are some of the first names that come to mind, but Slick Rick is never too far from being mentioned. The innovative style brought a particular artsy nature to the genre, and the longevity of his 1988 debut,