#5169, New Releases, July 2026

The month of July brought us new, eclectic music from all around the world and on this episode of New Sounds, we’ll hear some standout pieces. 

The iconic New York ensemble Bang on a Can All-Stars are back with a new David Lang composition titled, “interstate”, which is the first single of their upcoming multimedia project, CAN DANCE.

The 16-member UK jazz band Ancient Infinity Orchestra has a new record called It’s Always About Liberation – and the highlighted track, “Triton,” gives us rich chord progressions and generous instrumentation that includes the harp, horns, woodwinds, and more. 

French-born and London-based composer Akusmi teams up with harpist Marysia Osu, and percussionists Sarathy Korwar and Dudù Kouate in “Pleine Lune,” which offers a South Asian-influenced combination of improvisational melodies and layered arpeggios. 

Another New York-based musician, the kanun master Firas Zreik, has a new album called Tarabesque, in which the opening track, “Sanasel,” sets the tone for an elegant fusion of Western jazz harmony and Middle Eastern scales.

Then, there’s the new ambient folk project, HUG, from long-time collaborators Gyan Riley, Devendra Banhart, and Noah Georgeson. We’ll hear the lead single titled “Cow with Half Moon Parasol” from their upcoming self-titled record. 

Austin-based indie rock band Shearwater steps into the expansive universe of avant-garde art pop with Laurie Anderson’s haunting storytelling in their single, “You and Your Dog.”

Pedal steel guitarists Joe Harvey-Whyte and Geir Sundstøl collaborate with Norwegian drummer and percussionist, Erland Dahlen in their dreamy instrumental folk track, “Otra Mantra,” from their new record titled Langeleik.

And finally, innovative trombonist Kalia Vandever presents “Waiting” from their new album, Mana, which mixes jazz electronica with ambient soundscapes.  - Sırma Munyar

(Photo of Kalia Vandever, by Isabel Gonzalez)

Program #5169, New Releases, July 2026 (First aired 7/31/26)

ARTIST: Shearwater, Laurie Anderson
WORK: You and Your Dog
RECORDING: The New World (2026)
SOURCE: Polyborus Music 
INFO: https://shearwater.bandcamp.com/album/the-new-world-2026

ARTIST: Bang on a Can All-Stars & David Lang
WORK: interstate
RECORDING: interstate 
SOURCE: Cantaloupe Music
INFO: https://bangonacan.bandcamp.com/track/interstate

ARTIST: Ancient Infinity Orchestra
WORK: Triton
RECORDING: It’s Always About Liberation
SOURCE: Gondwana Records
INFO: https://ancientinfinityorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/it-s-always-about-liberation

ARTIST: Akusmi, Marysia Osu, Sarathy Korwar & Dudù Kouate
WORK: Pleine Lune
RECORDING: Terra Incognita
SOURCE:  Tonal Union
INFO: https://akusmi.bandcamp.com/album/terra-incognita

ARTIST: Firas Zreik
WORK: Sanasel
RECORDING: Tarabesque
SOURCE: Maqām Records
INFO: https://firaszreik.bandcamp.com/album/tarabesque

ARTIST: Devendra Banhart, Gyan Riley, Noah Georgeson, HuG
WORK: Cow with Half Moon Parasol
RECORDING: HUG
SOURCE: Luaka Bop
INFO: https://hughughug.bandcamp.com/album/hug

ARTIST: Shearwater, Laurie Anderson
WORK: You and Your Dog
RECORDING: The New World (2026)
SOURCE: Polyborus Music 
INFO: https://shearwater.bandcamp.com/album/the-new-world-2026

ARTIST: Joe Harvey-Whyte, Geir Sundstøl, Erland Dahlen
WORK: Otra Mantra
RECORDING: Langeleik
SOURCE: Hubro / SLG
INFO: https://sundstoel.bandcamp.com/album/langeleik

ARTIST: Kalia Vandever
WORK: Waiting
RECORDING: Mana
SOURCE: International Anthem
INFO: https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/mana