The Lead Sheet ~ 10/21/25

The Lead Sheet is your guide to this week’s new music - taking a look at newly released albums, who made them, and how listeners are responding. 

Australian musician Kevin Parker’s psychedelic project Tame Impala released its fifth studio album this week, receiving mostly positive reviews from listeners. The new album, titled Deadbeat, follows a five year LP hiatus, and includes some singles released earlier this fall, like “Loser” and “Dracula”. Deadbeat sees a shift toward electronic and dance genres, drawing inspiration from Australian outback rave culture. Thematically, Impala’s new project is concerned with fatherhood and the anxiety of responsibility, while embracing the change from one phase of life to the next. The main criticism of the album so far is that while technically impressive, Deadbeat isn’t as creative or explorative as Parker’s previous work, rather staying too safe and formulaic. 

London based baroque-rock band The Last Dinner Party’s new album From the Pyre is getting praise for its rich lyrics, bold storytelling and emotional depth. Critics are impressed with the band’s development, as they have quickly established a distinctive voice. From the Pyre sees Dinner Party adopt a darker, more raw tone, compared to their 2024 debut album Prelude to Ecstasy, which also received high marks across the board and charted at number one in the UK. The Last Dinner Party will tour the new album through February 2026 in England, Australia, and Europe. 

After 32 years without an album release, Swiss thrash metal group Coroner released their long awaited comeback album Dissonance Theory. Meticulously crafted, Dissonance Theory sees the band keep their signature sound without relying heavily on nostalgia to carry the project. Listeners and critics agree the album is well composed and technically impressive, especially given the group’s long break from production, but the album itself doesn’t really break new ground for the genre, and might not have performed well if not for the band’s identity and comeback. 

American singer-songwriter and rapper Ashnikko released her second studio album, Smoochies this week to generally positive critical reception. Ashnikko first gained popularity after her hit single “Stupid” featuring Baby Tate went viral on TikTok and Instagram in 2019, launching her career and going platinum in the US and Canada. Smoochies fuses electro-pop and rap, with some k-pop influence, and listeners appreciate Ashnikko’s high energy and unpredictability on each track. It also continues Ashnikko’s loosely feminist messaging, celebrating femininity and authenticity with standout tracks like “Trinkets” and “Full Frontal”. 

Ashnikko will tour Smoochies early on in 2026, including the US, Europe and Australia. 

The 2010’s least offensive stomp-clap-hey band Of Monsters and Men has released their newest album, All is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade. Mouse Parade is the Icelandic group’s fourth LP to date, and while the band’s relevance likely peaked around 2011 with their massive hit “Little Talks”, their new music is striking a chord with listeners, who remark that the group has thoroughly reinvented itself with fresh new musical ideas. Their new album embraces subtlety and is a dreamy, pop-leaning piece with a folk heartbeat. The album’s biggest hit, “Ordinary Creature” evokes feelings of longing and desire for comfort. Of Monsters and Men will tour the US, UK and Europe through March of 2026. 

Tame Impala - Deadbeat

Columbia Records

Released October 17th, 2025

The Last Dinner Party - From the Pyre

Island Records

Released October 17th, 2025

Coroner- Dissonance Theory

Century Media

Released October 17th, 2025

Ashnikko - Smoochies

Parlophone Records

Released October 17th, 2025

Of Monsters and Men - All is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade

Virgin Records

Released October 17th, 2025