Music from New Orleans: July 2026
Some recent-ish releases from New Orleans (or NOLA-adjacent) bands and artists. Subscribers to Out All Day can enjoy a compilation of recent songs from New Orleans with these artists and more, with songs paid for by OAD on Bandcamp. To listen: sign up for our new Patreon which has lots of extras like this, even at the free tier!
Cosmo Lounge LP
Moon Soda
I reviewed indie band Moon Soda’s single ‘Bourbon Baby’ a while ago, enamored with its neon-tinged, late-night indie groove. The Moon Soda Cinematic Universe has expanded into this full LP, eponymous opener Cosmo Lounge typifying the immediately-catchy, 70s R&B-influenced hooks that MS likes to play with. Driving rhythm sections with infectious guitars and keys give you a flavor of the “four years' worth of bar room gigs” that informed this album. Pop open this tasty can of musical effervescence. Bandcamp
Mike & Beignet Go to the Zoo
Mike Dillon
Punk percussionist Dillon has laid down some of the hardest riffs ever heard on a vibraphone, but M&BGTTZ is all heart. Beignet was Mike’s beloved dog, who sadly passed away recently. This 11-track collection is “born from the grief of losing close friends and influences, including Ellis Marsalis” and also a tribute to Beignet, particularly the lovely synth anthem, ‘Puma and the Spider Monkey’. It was inspired by a “love of Cumbia and synthesizers" says Dillon. "It reminded me of the trips I took with Beignet to Terlingua and the Big Bend area of Texas.” Psychedalia, evocative stomps and electro-funk show off Dillon’s prodigious range of talents. RIP Beignet. Bandcamp
doe a dear
loucey
As I’ve written before, capitalization-phobes loucey repeatedly hit a rich seam of nostalgia for me, tapping into the early 90s trip hop that I loved at the time (think Tricky, Massive Attack, Portishead) if I can embarrassingly age myself. I’ve had their LP Participation Trophy Wife on heavy rotation since last year, and this new single is a lovely, mature evolution of their sound. To me, this is more aligned with the intelligent pop sensibilities of, say, Saint Etienne, but you can still hear the assurance of a band whose elements - vocals, beats, guitar overlays and synth atmospherics - perfectly complement each other. A drop of golden sun. Bandcamp
A New Orleans Protest Song Compilation
NOLA Protest Songwriters
This year’s July 4th celebrations in the city included a gig organized by local singer-songwriter Paul Faith, who produced and organized this new compilation of modern day protest songs. Diverse genres - including roots music and folk to rock and Americana - and musicians are featured, and the songs evoke solidarity and resistance, anger and grief, and also hope. What all 21 songs and creators have in common: challenging the status quo. A refreshing, inspiring listen. Bandcamp / READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH PAUL ABOUT THE PROJECT
Released At Last
Big Freedia & Sophie
At last is right. These sessions were recorded a decade ago, before the untimely death of hyperpop artist and producer SOPHIE. Freedia’s frenetic delivery and SOPHIE’s signature hi-energy stylings seem like a natural fit, and so it proves. Over three tracks (Let Me See Ya, Blaze That Ass, Go Down), explosive lyricism unfurls over building, syncopated beats, distorted EDM stings and ethereal synth pads, and it all lives up to a collab that BF described as “showing the world that living boldly is your greatest power”. Play loud. Spotify
Wash Away
Burris
Singer-songwriter Burris' third LP is a warm, unhurried stroll through South Louisiana humidity and thick nostalgia. A small army of local talent (Ashlin Parker, Renée Gros, Mikayla Braun, Evan Oberla, half a dozen others) backs him up, and the whole record has a retro, lived-in quality. There’s jaunty acoustic love letters to people and places, a humble, unfussy cover of Marvin Gaye's ‘What's Going On’. Fire it up on a slow, warm afternoon and enjoy the deluge. Bandcamp
Subscribers can enjoy a playlist of recent tracks from New Orleans musicians, paid for on Bandcamp by OAD. Visit our Patreon page and sign up for more bonuses like this and support arts coverage in the city. Many thanks.
Moon Soda
I reviewed indie band Moon Soda’s single ‘Bourbon Baby’ a while ago, enamored with its neon-tinged, late-night indie groove. The Moon Soda Cinematic Universe has expanded into this full LP, eponymous opener Cosmo Lounge typifying the immediately-catchy, 70s R&B-influenced hooks that MS likes to play with. Driving rhythm sections with infectious guitars and keys give you a flavor of the “four years' worth of bar room gigs” that informed this album. Pop open this tasty can of musical effervescence. Bandcamp
Mike & Beignet Go to the Zoo
Mike Dillon
Punk percussionist Dillon has laid down some of the hardest riffs ever heard on a vibraphone, but M&BGTTZ is all heart. Beignet was Mike’s beloved dog, who sadly passed away recently. This 11-track collection is “born from the grief of losing close friends and influences, including Ellis Marsalis” and also a tribute to Beignet, particularly the lovely synth anthem, ‘Puma and the Spider Monkey’. It was inspired by a “love of Cumbia and synthesizers" says Dillon. "It reminded me of the trips I took with Beignet to Terlingua and the Big Bend area of Texas.” Psychedalia, evocative stomps and electro-funk show off Dillon’s prodigious range of talents. RIP Beignet. Bandcamp
doe a dear
loucey
As I’ve written before, capitalization-phobes loucey repeatedly hit a rich seam of nostalgia for me, tapping into the early 90s trip hop that I loved at the time (think Tricky, Massive Attack, Portishead) if I can embarrassingly age myself. I’ve had their LP Participation Trophy Wife on heavy rotation since last year, and this new single is a lovely, mature evolution of their sound. To me, this is more aligned with the intelligent pop sensibilities of, say, Saint Etienne, but you can still hear the assurance of a band whose elements - vocals, beats, guitar overlays and synth atmospherics - perfectly complement each other. A drop of golden sun. Bandcamp
A New Orleans Protest Song Compilation
NOLA Protest Songwriters
This year’s July 4th celebrations in the city included a gig organized by local singer-songwriter Paul Faith, who produced and organized this new compilation of modern day protest songs. Diverse genres - including roots music and folk to rock and Americana - and musicians are featured, and the songs evoke solidarity and resistance, anger and grief, and also hope. What all 21 songs and creators have in common: challenging the status quo. A refreshing, inspiring listen. Bandcamp / READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH PAUL ABOUT THE PROJECT
Released At Last
Big Freedia & Sophie
At last is right. These sessions were recorded a decade ago, before the untimely death of hyperpop artist and producer SOPHIE. Freedia’s frenetic delivery and SOPHIE’s signature hi-energy stylings seem like a natural fit, and so it proves. Over three tracks (Let Me See Ya, Blaze That Ass, Go Down), explosive lyricism unfurls over building, syncopated beats, distorted EDM stings and ethereal synth pads, and it all lives up to a collab that BF described as “showing the world that living boldly is your greatest power”. Play loud. Spotify
Wash Away
Burris
Singer-songwriter Burris' third LP is a warm, unhurried stroll through South Louisiana humidity and thick nostalgia. A small army of local talent (Ashlin Parker, Renée Gros, Mikayla Braun, Evan Oberla, half a dozen others) backs him up, and the whole record has a retro, lived-in quality. There’s jaunty acoustic love letters to people and places, a humble, unfussy cover of Marvin Gaye's ‘What's Going On’. Fire it up on a slow, warm afternoon and enjoy the deluge. Bandcamp
Subscribers can enjoy a playlist of recent tracks from New Orleans musicians, paid for on Bandcamp by OAD. Visit our Patreon page and sign up for more bonuses like this and support arts coverage in the city. Many thanks.