The Lead Sheet ~ 9/9/25

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. 

This week, Brooklyn-based indie folk rock band Big Thief released their sixth studio album, Double Infinity, to glowing reviews. The group has had a lot of momentum in recent years, with their previous two albums Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You, and Two Hands, getting multiple grammy nominations, and a performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Double Infinity may continue that upward trend, with fans and critics agreeing the new record as the band’s most polished and deftly orchestrated to date. Double Infinity continues the band’s identity in folk rock, with some psychedelic and shoegaze influence. 

Global pop sensation Justin Bieber released a follow-up to his recent album Swag, simply titled Swag II. The divisive singer’s reception is always challenging to gauge, but on the whole, Swag II seems to be doing about the same, if not slightly worse than its first installment. While listeners appreciate some of Bieber’s new sound, they also find the album monotonous and criticize what feels like a dragging tracklist of twenty-three songs and a seventy-four minute runtime. Fans also bemoan another album with no notable big hits or memorable, stand out tracks. 

Suede, or in the United States, The London Suede, have a new album out this week, titled Antidepressants. The English pop-rock band was massively influential in the 90’s, charting multiple times throughout their early discography. Antidepressants, their tenth album, is receiving high praise from critics and fans who see it as a triumphant return to form, recapturing the magic of their early days while finding a modern context. The eleven track album is also being hailed as the band’s best work since their reunion in 2010, and lead singer Brett Anderson’s unyielding raspy vocals are high energy throughout, leading the record’s rebellious attitude. 

The Colombian experimental-electronic expert Lucrecia Dalt released her ninth studio album, A Danger to Ourselves, to generally positive critical reception. The unsettling album starts off with a track titled “Cosa Rara” which is reminiscent of Billie Eilish’s “Bury a Friend.” The album feels inspired by A24 horror soundscapes, and is getting praise for its catchy rhythms and haunting atmosphere. The album also features lyrics in Spanish and English, as well as spoken word, abstract melodies and dark jazz influence.

The post-hardcore band from Grand Rapids, La Dispute, dropped an exciting new record, No One Was Driving The Car. The midwest-emo group’s fifth studio album is teeming with heavy themes like existential despair, religious corruption, and the inevitable power-creep of technology. Critique is generally positive, with many appreciating the new degree of polish present on the album and some claiming it as their best work in years. La Dispute is on tour through September, wrapping up in their hometown of Grand Rapids for a sold-out concert September 21st. 

Big Thief- Double Infinity

Released September 5, 2025

4AD Records

Justin Bieber - Swag II

Released September 5, 2025

Def Jam Records

Suede - Antidepressants

Released September 5, 2025

BMG

Lucrecia Dalt - A Danger to Ourselves

Released September 5, 2025

RVNG Records

La Dispute - No One Was Driving The Car

Released September 5, 2025

Epitaph Records