Each week, I go through Genius’ album lists and listen to anything I find interesting. Then, at least twice a month, I’ll go through their singles list, updated daily, and make a playlist of a bunch of new releases. I also find music through Spotify, on Twitter and on music blogs
A majority of July was spent anxiously waiting for/being “clowned”, as the kids would say, for Kanye’s DONDA album, but we got some big releases by heavy-hitters like Justin Bieber, assisting Kid LAROI on “Stay” and Ed Sheeran, whose comeback single “Bad Habits” confused the hell out of people for some reason (watch the video people….you’ll get it then) to fill the gap. Also, we finally got a new single from Normani as well as really great stuff from CHVRCHES, Clairo, BJ The Chicago Kid/Eric Bellinger, WILLOW, and underrated American Idol finalist named Catie Turner and much more.
You can check out all of my favorites in the Spotify playlist included at the bottom of this post.
Top 10
10. “Living Proof”- The War On Drugs
The War On Drugs became one the many artists whose discographies I dove into during the first peak of COVID last year, thanks to YouTuber MicTheSnare including their song “Strangest Thing” in one of his videos. That song, not even the entire song, but the 15 second snippet of it he played in that video, sent me into a tailspin of obsession. I’m seeing them at Madison Square Garden next year, so thanks MicTheSnare.
This new track, off their upcoming album I Don’t Live Here Anymore, is essentially a poem set to song, with its complete lack of song structure. It’s just one continuous stream of thought from beginning to end, with no repetition. Lead singer Adam Granduciel sounds a bit like Bob Dylan but with, you know, range. In all seriousness though, he sounds like he could fall apart at any second and quite frankly, this song makes me want to, too.
9. “I Like That”- Bazzi
Honestly, I’m bout to throw one out on a limb here, but this is better than “Mine.” It SOUNDS like it was designed for Tik Tok, but hell man, I’m vibing (He still can’t get his s*** to the three-minute mark, but he’s close this time!!). That chorus, which sounds like something Wallows would cook up but with a crap ton of reverb, is really, really catchy especially when he goes into adlib mode the second time around. He’s always been good at that, so I’m not surprised. He’s somewhere in the middle of a rap-sung flow for the second verse, but I dig the more sensual tone he slips into near the end of it; “Let’s go to Paris, let’s get a jet plane. Let’s live our own like, f*** what your friends say.”
8. “Tempo”- Valley
2017, is that you?? This new track from the Canadian indie pop group sounds like it came right out of the first half of 2017 which was, truly, an impeccable time. There’s not too much to say about this one…..just a fun little dance-pop track fronted by two solid Canadian vocalists making a reference to Michael Jordan’s legendary 1998 season on the Chicago Bulls in the hook for some reason. It’s a vibe.
7. “Not Your Summer”- The Academic
If there was ever a song for a sad drive home from the beach with the windows down and the sun setting, it’s this chill, breezy alt pop rock track from the Irish four-piece. Lead singer Craig Fitzgerald sings about wanting to take a break in a relationship, but wants the other person to know that the blame is entirely on him; “I wanna go, I wanna leave. I need some time away from me.”
6. “It Won’t Always Be Like This”- Inhaler
A killer opening track by the Irish rock band for their album of the same name. It’s absolutely euphoric, with a similar vibe to “Beautiful Day” by their fellow Irishman U2, but most definitely original in its own right. I’d like to headbang to it at a concert right now, please. Lead singer Elijah Henson sings to a lover, who is playing games but isn’t outright saying they’re not interested, that he’s not always going to be around; “I’m dead, honey I’ll be dead. It won’t always be like this, always be like this.”
5. “WE DON’T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT”- Snoh Aalegra
Moody, sensual R&B, almost straight from Kehlani’s You Should Be Here mixtape, from the hottest new star of the genre. Aalegrah is in her feelings for this guy playing 50/50 with her, saying he’s “in it for the long haul” one day then ignoring her Facetime calls (from two miles away!!) the next, but she’s willing to just sweep it under the rug; “Was it something I said? Was it something you said? We don’t have to talk about it.”
4. “All Around The World”- Quinn Sullivan
Welp, this is from June (it’s actually the lead single for an album that came out in June lol oops), but while sifting through the calendar for The Wolf Den, a venue within CT’s Mohegan Sun, I came across the young Mr. Sullivan and had to show this track some love. Sullivan, a guitar prodigy who has been performing with the likes of B.B King and Buddy Guy since he was barely double digits, delivers a kick ass opener with a simple yet killer hook for his new record Wide Awake; “I had a dream last night that there was nothin but good vibes, all around the world.”
Sullivan sits very nicely in the baritenor range vocally, but shows much personality and flavor within what could be considered a “limited” range that it doesn’t even matter. His runs are fluid, he adds vocal distortion at just the right moments and throws in these Gavin DeGraw-like inflections every so often that are just so well-placed. Musically, it’s bluesy and loose as hell, with a second mini guitar solo after the extended one that you THINK is going finish the track off, but he adds just a little bit extra.
3. “Phoenix”- Big Red Machine ft. Fleet Foxes and Anais Mitchell
Big Red Machine is duo comprised of Aaron Dessner of The National and Justin Vernon, aka Bon Iver. Like…..that’s a BIG deal and if it isn’t every Swiftie’s dream come true after this last year, with both Dessnar and Vernon heavily involved in Taylor Swift’s quarantine passion projects folklore and evermore, I don’t know what is. Combine the two of them with Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes and singer/songwriter Anais Mitchell and you’ve got quite the supergroup.
“Phoenix,” off the pairs upcoming record How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last, is super Phil Collins-esque, and has much more girth than their T. Swift collab “Renegade” making for a more compelling listen. The soaring track serves as a nod to a lover who seemingly moved emotional mountains; “I was trying to find my way, I was thinking my mind was made. But you were making my heart take shape….”
2. “Last Train Home”- John Mayer
“Man, this could be a Toto song,” is what I said to myself seconds into my first listen of this track, the opening cut from Mayer’s newest release, Sob Rock. My feelings were affirmed while reading the album blurb on Apple Music, which states that Mayer collaborated with Greg Phillanganes, who has worked with Toto themselves, for the record.
If nostalgia was what Mayer was going for, he hit the mark straight on with this one. The track sounds old school, like….a few decades old school, while also old school in the sense that it would have fit on literally any Mayer record before this. He absolutely nails the adult contemporary sound with this and maintains the perfect level of musicianship, shredding on the electric guitar just enough to show off, but not make anyone feel like they just walked into a 10-minute jam session.
His vocals here, as usual, are silky smooth as he just perfectly sits in the pocket of his range. The way he sings “I’m not a fallen angel, I just fell behind. I’m out of luck and I’m out of time,” had me swooning with my jaw on the floor. Like, seriously dude??
He’s joined by Maren Morris as an uncredited vocalist, who compliments him wonderfully. Her vocals actually sound stronger than usual, so you might not even catch that it was her. Should have known they’d do something together after Mayer played for her on “The Bones” at The Grammys earlier this year. Overall, best song of Sob Rock and the best thing Mayer has put out since “Still Feel Like Your Man.”
- “Heart Attack”- Dave
Unquestionably, the standout track from Dave’s new record, We’re All Alone in This Together. The young UK rapper flows off the cuff over a simple, piano-led instrumental for nearly eight minutes, two of which are completely acapella before we hear a gut-wrenching monologue from Dave’s mother.
Dave shows restraint here, but is unable to mask all of his frustration and hurt within these lyrics. He raps about internal struggles of wanting to protect an ex-girlfriend from her abusive father, the dangers of living in London, living under a microscope as a black man, becoming numb to losing people and much more. His mother’s heartbreak is nowhere near as contained, as she cries out about being homeless with three kids in her arms in a new country. It is an absolutely captivating listen.
You can stream all of the tracks above, as well as the full July playlist, linked below:
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