The Lead Sheet ~ 6/17/2025

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. 

It’s a big week for nostalgia, as much of our featured new music comes from artists that have been making hits for ages. Kicking things off, Queens of the Stone Age released their new album, Alive in the Catacombs, a five-track EP that was recorded live, underground, in the Paris catacombs. The new work is a somber, entirely acoustic project that features a folk-rock, southern gothic sound. The spooky new record is being hailed as an example of the band’s maturation over their nearly three decade career, where they perform select songs from their discography, rearranged to suit the environment (particularly challenging given the acoustically reflective surfaces and tight-space). The dirge-like “Running Joke/Paper Machete” sets the tone for the whole album, and despite it being a unique new chapter for the group, fans and critics are embracing Catacombs for its audacity. 

Folk-music legend Van Morrison’s new album Remembering Now dropped this week. The 47th addition to his staggering discography, Remembering Now spans many of the styles Morrison has conquered throughout the years, rock n’ roll, blues, jazz, folk, r&b, and more. I’ve been listening to the album in the car, and it’s hard not to smile. There’s a lot of joy in each song, and the now 79 year old musician hasn’t lost any steam. The tracks are well balanced; each instrument, keys, guitar, drums, organ and vocals can be heard clearly, and compliment each other beautifully.  I was surprised to see that the album isn’t being received particularly well, but I have to wonder if Morrison has set the bar so consistently high (18 top 40 albums) that he may be being graded on a curve. It’s a fantastic record, just perhaps not his best. 

English alt-goth rock band The Cure released a remix album, Mixes of a Lost World last Friday. Stemming from the parent album, Songs of a Lost World (2024), the new mixtape puts an electronic, dance spin on the band’s recent music. And while listeners seem to have been skeptical at the idea initially, it’s been very well received so far. Mixes of a Lost World is ambitious in scope, and that ambition pays off. Early tracks on the songlist take their time to swell and culminate in grandiose, cinematic climaxes. Sweeping synths drive tracks like “Endsong(Orbital Remix)” and pair stunningly with lead singer Robert Smith’s heaving vocals. As the album progresses, it leans more into dance tempos, and each track features a unique producer’s interpretation of The Cure’s music, (for example, Daniel Avery and Paul Oakenfold) so there’s plenty of variety to enjoy. The Cure plans to tour again in fall of 2025, so it would be interesting to see if they end up playing any remix versions and see how they are received by live crowds. 

Deviating from our theme of nostalgia for a moment, a younger group, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have continued their bizarre but delightful streak of big band jazz fusion and pop-rock. The Australian group really should be listened to, not read about, to fully appreciate. Never staying in one genre for too long, even within the same song, their new album Phantom Island is a masterpiece. Massive in scope, it features a broad range of instruments such as a full string section, brass, wind, but also electric guitars, rock drums, and vocals. In addition to the many instruments, the album embraces classic swing, big band jazz, rock and roll, and daringly, baroque and metal. This album explodes with energy, and has an incredibly fresh sound. The effect is breathtaking and clearly a work of genius. Considering how hard the group works, sometimes releasing 3 albums in the same month, their newest installment showcases their talent wonderfully. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard will tour in the U.S. this fall, and then the U.K. immediately after. 

Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts just debuted their first full-length album as a group, Talkin to the Trees. Neil Young has been making music for almost 6 decades, and Talkin to the Trees delivers his iconic Americana sound in great form. While some feel the album is a little bland, the production is excellent, and the rocker’s voice still sounds fantastic after so many years of screaming rock hits to sold out stadiums. The 10 track album tackles several themes like family, environmentalism, and modern politics. There seems to be a consensus amongst critics and fans that while the music itself is decent, it’s held back by somewhat lazy lyrics, at least compared to what Young has been known to deliver in the past. Talkin to the Trees may not be the most impactful start for the new re-grouping of Neil and his friends, but the theme of the week is that rock n’ roll has no age, and there’s bound to be some hits for the Chrome Hearts yet. 

Hot albums to check out this week: 

Queens of the Stone Age - Alive in the Catacombs

June 13, 2025

Matador Records

Van Morrison- Remembering Now

June 13, 2025

Exile Records

The Cure- Mixes of a Lost World

June 13, 2025

Polydor Records

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Phantom Island

June 13, 2025

p(doom) Records

Neil Young & the Chrome Hearts - Talkin to the Trees

June 13, 2025

The Other Shoe Records