With summer coming to an end, now is the perfect time to talk about my summer music discoveries. I am always actively looking for new music to listen to, and this summer was no exception. Not only new music, but also music that has been on repeat for many many summers. In this article, I am going to showcase 10 albums that got me through those lazy summer days, energetic nights, and everything in between.
Crash (2022) - Charli XCX
Charli XCX is such a legendary artist. Her pop expertise is second to none. She has worked with so many huge artists (Iggy Azalea, Bladee, Lil Yachty, BTS, etc.), and her most recent studio album, Crash, exemplifies masterful pop songwriting. Every single song is so catchy, and I love the use of synths and bouncy bass. To me, this album is pop perfection!
Favorite Tracks: Yuck, Baby, Crash
Coast 2 Coast (2023) - Pearl and the Oysters
Pearl and the Oysters is a band I came across thanks to Stone Throw Records, who houses artists such as Mild High Club, Mndsgn, Benny Sings, and Jerry Paper. This record is crucial for the perfect beach day or driving with the windows down in the sun. It’s funky, retro, and is a wonderful listening experience that instantly changes your mood for the better!
Favorite Tracks: Fireflies, Pacific Avenue, Paraiso
Traveling Without Moving (1996) - Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai is one of the best artists of all time. Jay Kay and his band created a funky sound unlike any other, comparable to the likes of Stevie Wonder with a special twist. This album is nothing short of a jazzy, funky, electronic, dance masterpiece. Perfect for late night drives or any situation that involves dancing and grooving!
Favorite Tracks: Everyday, High Times, Do You Know Where You’re Coming From?
Marcos Valle (1983) - Marcos Valle
Marcos Valle creates music for those that want and need the beach. Tropical trees, martinis, fish of all colors, and a salty breeze. This album contains an amazing blend of keyboards, brassy melodies, and smooth vocals that practically force you to grab a beach towel, put on some sunscreen, and tan for hours. If you aren’t grooving after the first track, then you gotta!
Favorite Tracks: Samba de Verão, Naturalmente, Fogo do Sol
FLASH DESIRE (2019) - Yabujin
Yabujin is not beach music. Yabujin is lifting weights. Yabujin is dancing in a sewage drain. Yabujin is playing on your nintendo DS at 12am on a school night. Yabujin has some of the most interesting production and sample choices I have EVER heard. I love this EP. If you are into more experimental rap, I would give Yabujin a shot!
Favorite Tracks: ANGEL WITTA KNIFE, FANTASY AND MANA, REBUS
TUBES (2021) - Mcbaise
Ever since this album was released, I have been listening to it non-stop. French-born artist Mcbess has been creating wonderful tunes for around a decade. With every release, Mcbess improves on his sound, adding more layers, funky riffs, and incredible synthwork. TUBES has the classic Mcbaise sound but encapsulates the idea of all things water and water parks. Every time I listen to this album, I imagine myself floating down a lazy river or a never ending water slide!
Favorite Tracks: Ball Pit, Water Slide, Absurdia
Knowledge (1996) - M-Beat
M-Beat is arguably my favorite Jungle producer of all time. I love the bouncy feeling of the 808 bass paired with the sampled amen break drums. The vocals add so much to the mix as well, creating a heavenly concoction of dance and club music. Interestingly enough, artists Pinkpantheress and piri & tommy have started releasing chill, vocal driven songs with drum and bass backing tracks! I suggest you check out all three artists!
Favorite Tracks: Incredible, M-Beats Mood, Sweet Love
Cosmos (1981) - Yuji Ohno
Yuji Ohno is a Japanese composer who is known for scoring the soundtrack to Japanese animated series, Lupin the Third. The album Cosmos in particular popped up on my Youtube recommended feed a few years ago. The moment I clicked on the video, I knew that I was in for a treat. The composition, the sound, the production: it is all so crisp, cinematic, and beautiful. An orchestrated masterpiece comprised of cosmic themes and wonderfully placed transitions between songs. Listen to this on a long car ride and have a safe galactic space flight to your destination!
Favorite Tracks: Sunset, Sailing, Crystal Lullaby
Space Heavy (2023) - King Krule
King Krule has been under my radar for a while, until I decided to listen to The Ooz in the winter semester of last year. Wow. Archy Marshall and his band have a very impressive dynamic. King Krule has melancholy themes: both lyrically and compositionally, as well as genre blends containing jazz, indie rock, punk, and hip-hop. Space Heavy, King Krules most recent release, is on-par with his previous works. The soundscape of this record longs for a lonely summer night; sitting under a tree waiting for the leaves to morph into colors unrecognizable by the season presented, as a familiar breeze begins to fill the air and the days get shorter and shorter: fall approaches.
Favorite Tracks: Flimsier, Tortoise of Independency, If Only It Was Warmth
Stardust (1978) - Willie Nelson
Classic. What else can I say? Stardust is a beautifully performed record. Willie Nelsons’ singing is so intimate, along with his acoustic and electric guitar playing. It pairs nicely with delightfully mixed background instrumentals. This record is full of covers, and each one sounds amazing. I listened to this record during my vacationing up north and in Kentucky; perfect for chilling late at night by a campfire or fishing on a silent lake.
Favorite Tracks: Stardust, All of Me, September Song
Honorable Mentions
One Wayne G (2023) - Mac Demarco
Full of hidden gems. Very exciting and surprising album by Mac Demarco!
Favorite Tracks:
20190802
20190826
20200317
PetroDragonic Apocalypse (2023) - King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Sludgy, dark, angry, wicked, King Gizzard goes back to their metal side with this intense project.
Favorite Tracks:
Converge
Dragon
Flamethrower
333 (2020) - Bladee
Personal favorite Bladee project for hiking on trails.
Favorite Tracks:
Mean Girls
Reality Surf
It Girl
Dots and Loops (1997) - Stereolab
Groovy and sonically delicious.
Favorite Tracks:
The Flower Called Nowhere
Diagonals
Refractions in the Static Pulse
The Sound (2023) - Babymorocco
THE Summer Record.
Favorite Tracks:
Sun Sex Party
Girlfriends - Bamster Flip
NRG (bo en Remix)
Home, Like Noplace is There (2014) - The Hotelier
Midwest emo staple.
Favorite Tracks:
An Introduction to the Album
Your Deep Rest
Housebroken
California (1999) - Mr. Bungle
Beach boys but ominous. I love Mr. Bungle.
Favorite Tracks:
Sweet Charity
The Air-Conditioned Nightmare
Goodbye Sober Day
Variety Pack EP, Vol. 1 (2019) - Freddie Dredd
Very fun samples with that classic Freddie Dredd twist.
Favorite Tracks:
Moving to America
Abuse
Endless Sea
Back on the Music! (2022) - Paul Cherry
Feel-good funky tunes with expansive instrument variety.
Favorite Tracks:
Bouncing off the Bottom
No News No Blues
Tootsie Roll
SCARING THE HOES (2023) - JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown
Super impressive production and killer verses from both Danny Brown and Peggy.
Favorite Tracks:
Lean Beef Patty
Burfict!
Kingdom Hearts Key (ft. redveil)
Stone Flower (1970) - Antônio Carlos Jobim
Bossa Nova is one of my favorite genres. Antônio Carlos Jobim is the bossa master.
Favorite Tracks:
Tereza My Love
Children’s Games
Andorinha
1st EP ‘New Jeans’ (2022) and 2nd EP ‘Get Up’ (2023) - NewJeans
NewJeans is killing the kpop scene right now.
Favorite Tracks:
Super Shy
Cookie
Cool With You
SEYCHELLES (1976) - Masayoshi Takanaka
Please listen to Takanaka. Catchy riffs, tropical vibes, surfboard guitar.
Favorite Tracks:
OH! TENGO SUERTE
DREAMING OF THE SEYCHELLES ISLANDS
TROPIC BIRDS
Aguia Nao Come Mosca (1977) - Azymuth
Lounge music in paradise.
Favorite Tracks:
Vôo Sobre o Horizonte
Despertar
Falcon Love Call (Armazem nº 2)
Going Going Gone (2021) - Mild High Club
Out of this world compositions creating a psychedelic and jazzy pop gem.
Favorite Tracks:
Dionysian State
It’s Over Again
Me Myself and Dollar Hell
Ampersands (2020) - mei ehara
I play pool while listening to this album.
Favorite Tracks:
day to night
gently
uncertain
Hellfire (2022) - black midi
Very very impressive third studio album by black midi. Saw them live twice, and would see them again.
Favorite Tracks:
Sugar/Tzu
Welcome to Hell
Dangerous Liaisons
The Low End Theory (1991) - Tribe Called Quest
Nothing beats listening to Tribe on a car ride.
Favorite Tracks:
Vibes and Stuff
Check the Rhime
Jazz (We’ve Got)
Shoot the Moons (2019) - Graham Kartna
Really fun and innovative album.
Favorite Tracks:
Natalya
Chop Suey USA 1888
Shoot the Moons
TOKYO SNIPER (2006) - RYUSENKEI
Crisp and delightful.
Favorite Tracks:
Time Machine Love
TOKYO SNIPER
Spring Rain
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