Add to playlist: the ramshackle, soulful twang of Twisted Teens is the best song of the week | Music

From New Orleans
Recommended if you like Parquet Courts, Sheer Mag, Royal Headache
Next thing Holy Cross Tigers is out at the end of this year

Not one but two of the best songs of the year so far have been written by a ragtag, charismatic group from Louisiana called the Twisted Teens, featuring Pynchonian names – Caspian Hollywell and RJ “Razor Ramone” Santos – a soothing metal guitar and, in Hollywell’s case, one of the best rock voices in years. Virtuosic when needed, fast when needed, Twisted Youth feels like it can pay off well with Parquet Courts and late, great. Royal Headache – Proud, rock bands who seemed to shy away from the culture of their music.

Twisted Teens hit the ground running earlier this year with their sophomore album Blame the Clown, a 12-song collection of country punk that’s catchy and catchy enough to give this year’s biggest singles a run for their money. A few weeks ago, he released his follow-up, Florida Water Blues, a colorful and colorful piece, and before the end of the year he’ll have dropped Holy Cross Tigers, a release schedule befitting a team that’s so hot.

The story from the duo is hazy – what one can learn from interviews is “they were neighbors, then Santos traveled across the country to buy a steel guitar” – which feels appropriate for this kind of music, mythic, raw and handmade. Part of this feeling can be explained by Hollywell’s voice, a raw and familiar thing that he uses a lot, mixing the thoughts of death with life and love with a rich, powerful cry that is proud but humble. In a way, the Twisted Youth are two of the true firsts of 2026 – a band whose visionary vision surpasses the hype. Shade D’Souza

This week’s best songs

John Glacier – Bond Girl
Another peerless UK MC who’s club-ready to date: a hip track with a Detroit-ish bassline, topped off with Glacier making his fashion statement. BBT

Jeffrey Silverstein – Portland jobs
Silverstein was raised in New Jersey, in the Pacific Northwest and, here, inspired by the factory of Sheffield – yet this sparkling cosmic Americana of stomping, honeyed metal comes out of the true west. LS

Protomartyr – Sounds We Can’t Hear
With a central sound like a siren blowing a snow storm, this is a great return for the Detroit post-punks, who as usual get to the heart of today and horror. BBT

Namesbliss x Paul Stephan – Run It
The two London MCs go back and forth on relationships, faith and dreams, over a stuttering, producer-driven saxophone beat. CE

Murex – A flock of swans flies in V this
From his debut album, the Swedish artist presents a fascinating vision of players playing hide-and-seek around a sparkling harp. LS

Chad Hugo – Jumpupw!nya (ft Tierra Whack and Leikeli47)
The non-Pharrell half of The Neptunes brings every bit of his creative flair and fun to aerobic breakbeats, with both guest MCs having an equally oxygen-rich look. BBT

Cole Pulice – Frame Limits
Even with the sax – the song was somehow composed without the use of a mouthpiece or air – Pulice creates soothing miasmas of sound and clarity to take the edge off. LS

Subscribe to the Guardian’s rolling Add to Playlist selection on Spotify – or transfer to apple, Waves or other services