The Week in Fresh Tracks [Ben Folds, Ashley Monroe, Daddy Issues & more]

Greetings, Cream readers! Are you in the mood to get your stream on? Here's a virtual buffet of fresh tracks from some of your favorite local artists. Prepare to feast your ears! As always, send submissions to cream[at]nashvillescene[dot]com, and look back at past weeks in fresh tracks

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There's been a deluge of great new tracks in recent weeks, so let's take a minute to catch up. We're already getting album announcements for late summer and early fall, from Music City natives as well as transplants from across the country. There's a smattering of rock, pop and hip-hop, high-grade country and turbo-charged punk. Some of them are superb summer jams for their sweetness; others shimmer and curl in the heat. Polished and sweet or rough and gnarly — you want it, we've got it.

Ben Folds, "Capable of Anything"

Ben Folds, piano pop maestro and one of Studio A's staunchest allies (and tenants), is releasing a new album: So There is his first full-length since 2010, and it's due Sept. 11 from New West. "Capable of Anything" debuted via NPR, and it's a lovely piece of orchestral pop, featuring the New York classical ensemble yMusic, who appear on eight songs on the record, orbiting around

, recorded with the Nashville Symphony.

Ashley Monroe, "The Blade"

If the title track to Monroe's next album, due July 24, is any indication, it'll be every bit as good as 2012's Like a Rose. Also check out

if you need more convincing. Before the CMA hoopla gets going, you can catch Monroe at 3rd & Lindsley Tuesday, June 9; the show kicks off at 8 p.m. and the $15 cover is a damn steal.

Daddy Issues, "The Bruise"

The latest track from the gnarly grunge-pop trio is the first from their forthcoming cassette Can We Still Hang. The tape drops June 30, and it leads off the second cassette series curated by Casey Weissbuch for Infinity Cat. Bristling, fuzzy guitars cut deep through a sugary hook; there's a little L7, a little Garbage, even a little Olivia Tremor Control moment in the thing.

Altus Kings, Altus Kings

HT to contributor Itoro Udoko for pointing out this high school crew. They're peers of Jawws, and equally strong. Here's their very well-produced, dark and subtly psychedelic debut full-length.

Unruly Factions Volume 1 feat. Watcher, Tre Stoner, members of BZRK and more

Speaking of Itoro, he's part of the crew that runs local blog/label Unruly Factions, and they've released a sampler brimming with unreleased tracks from locals in the underground. Hip-hop from members of BZRK and Tre Stoner sits nicely next to O.G. punk-influenced cuts from Watcher, Waxed and more.

V to Z, "Alamo Go"

"Alamo Go" is the latest in Joshua Moore's single-a-month series. Moore is the drummer for The Katies, so it's about time we got a drum showcase. This high-speed post-rock-ish instrumental is an impressive display of percussion chops, to boot.

Repeat Repeat, "Mostly"

Along with timekeeper Andy Herrin, Jared and Kristyn Corder make slick, surf-tinged pop — most of the time. This stormy new single is the first taste of their next full-length, Floral Canyon, which is due in spring 2016. It's darker and heavier than usual for them, but they handle it well. For those not familiar, their Record Store Day single,

is a little closer to home.

Gnarwhal, "Anal Riffage" and "Have Fun Tomorrow from Ozzy/Stella"

Let's end this thing on an adrenaline high. Gnarwhal, aka Chappy Hull and Tyler Coburn, makes ridiculously fun, ridiculously technical turbo-charged math-rock. The two above tracks are from their forthcoming LP Shinerboy, due June 23 on Virginia indie Flannel Gurl. The release party is

. Kal Marks, Ian and Little Boy open; the show starts at 8 p.m. and the cover is $5. Start stretching now.