Some weeks, I struggle to find new music to write about for my Friday post. This week has been an unusual one, in that there have been a steady stream of great new music all week. Hopefully, I'm not screwing myself by leaving nothing to write about on Friday, but I had to call out these great tunes. Hopefully this means Friday will be equally stacked!

First up is the new set of songs by prog metal legends Elder. Two songs clocking in at 18 minutes, they're an epic journey that really lean heavily into the prog side of things. It's been a couple years since Elder's last album, so hopefully this release means a new one is on the way soon.

The second single from the upcoming collaborative album by Chat Pile and Hayden Pedigo is available now, and it's creepier and more atmospheric than we usually get from the boys from Oklahoma. Based on this song and the previous single, it's pretty clear that the new album is going to feel pretty distinct from Chat Pile's main output. Both of Chat Pile's previous albums have finished at #1 on my personal best of the year list, so I'll be very curious to see how this one lands for me. 

Smote is a pretty recent discovery for me, but they've clicked in a big way. I recently paid an arm and a leg to import their last album from the UK, and had I known there was another one on the way, I likely would have waited and bought the upcoming new album at the same time to save on shipping. Hindsight!

Finally, there's a new EP from Belgian band Huracán. This band seems to be largely unknown, but they put out an album in 2022 called We Are Very Happy that clicked with me in a big way. That album has a lot of variety, while this EP seems a little more cohesive. Hopefully this EP also heralds a new album on the way, and I would love to see more people discover this cool little band.