July 1: 13 - Blur
With a surprise Blur gig coming up the next week, I started the month diving into an album with some of my favourite of the Brit Pop giants' tracks, but which I'd never listened to all the way through. 13 is a steer away from the laddy rocking of Blur's 90s sound, and brings some previously unseen depth including a heavier focus on instrumental passages. Really, this feels like the last great album from the band as of yet, but we'll see what the new release has to offer.
Standouts:
Coffee & TV
Swamp Song
Caramel
July 2: Dead Club City - Nothing But Thieves
Nothing But Thieves, to me, feel like one of the last remaining modern rock bands with something unique to offer. Their latest album, Dead Club City, keeps them on a roll with their cool blend of arena-level headbangers and softer ballads, all led by Conor Mason's powerful vocals. While there isn't too much deviation from their previous releases, at this point they've nailed a hit-making formula, so, why change?
Standouts:
Keeping You Around
Do You Love Me Yet?
Overcome
July 3: Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too - New Radicals
Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too is an album that simply leaves you begging for more. The sole release from New Radicals – a band I was shocked to discover isn't British – this record is packed to the brim with alt-rock 90s bangers. Lyrically, frontman Gregg Alexander reflects on the state of American culture and governance of the time, while also finding space for more introspective tracks. Overall, this just feels like an instant classic of its time.
Standouts:
You Get What You Give
Someday We'll Know
Gotta Stay High
July 4: Comfort To Me - Amyl and The Sniffers
The punk renaissance is in full swing, and Amyl and The Sniffers are one of the latest hard rockers to grace the scene. Comfort To Me is loud and provocative, with little breathing space in a non-stop tracklist of pure energy. Vocalist Amy Taylor's heavy Aussie accent meshes really well with her spoken word style over the high-tempo drum beats and guitars. Another group who sound like they'd absolutely tear up a stage on a live performance.
Standouts:
Security
Hertz
Maggot
July 5: Whale City - Warmduscher
Formed in 2014 in an impromptu fashion for a New Year's Eve party, Warmduscher has certainly gone the distance since then. Whale City's eleven tracks are altogether short but sweet, as the London-based group harnesses a post-punk sound that feels more in tune with the murky American sound - the album cover alludes to this influence. The combination of half-sung vocals and heavy guitar strums produces something beautifully messy and fun.
Standouts:
1000 Whispers
Standing on the Corner
I Got Friends
July 6: Can't Buy A Thrill - Steely Dan
Can't Buy A Thrill is an ironic title for an album filled to the brim with classic smooth rock hits, but the album art alludes to the colour and energy oozing out of each track. The jazz element incorporated into Steely Dan's sound works so well with the tempo with which their style flows; as the songs are brought in with earworm guitar hooks, they then build around horns and expressive vocals. A rock classic through and through.
Standouts:
Dirty Work
Reelin' In The Years
Fire In The Hole
July 7: Sunburn - Dominic Fike
Following a career detour with a main feature in the second season of Euphoria, Dominic Fike returns to the music scene with his second studio album, Sunburn. The album does not stray too far from Fike's previous work, as he mixes genres such as hip-hop, garage rock and indie pop smoothly and with a bit of grit. Once again he flows between rap and song seamlessly, with his versatility as strong as it has ever been.
Standouts:
Mona Lisa
Think Fast
Dancing In The Courthouse
July 8: Kingdoms In Colour - Maribou State
Maribou State delivers a style of electronic music as chill as it comes. Their minimal approach may, on the surface, leave some feeling that Kingdoms In Colour is not the most digestible, but within the quiet sounds there is plenty of depth. The Hertfordshire duo have a great capacity for creating an atmosphere - on Kingdoms In Colour it is one that is dreamlike and often ethereal. Kick back, switch off and escape.
Standouts:
Nervous Tics
Vale
Glasshouse
July 9: What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
One of the pioneers of the Motown scene, integrating soul into early R&B, Marvin Gaye is at his peak on What's Going On. His vocals are instantly recognisable for a reason, full to the brim with heart and passion. The record is political by nature, as Gaye explores the landscape of a post-Vietnam War America, but with his musical prowess, the album never feels preachy - rather, it is an eloquent reflection on a nation in disarray and misdirection.
Standouts:
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
Wholy Holy
What's Happening Brother
July 10: Kind of Blue - Miles Davis
I'm certainly not articulate in the way of jazz music in any way, shape or form, but it doesn't take an expert to appreciate what a masterpiece my first real introduction to Miles Davis – Kind of Blue – is. Fronting the various ensembles with his trumpet, Davis guides each of the five numbers with cool finesse. Listening to this I'm immediately transported to a cool late-night bar, roleplaying as a mob boss or Hollywood actor. Davis' icon status is clear for all to see.
Standouts:
So What
Blue in Green
Flamenco Sketches
July 11: Back In Black - AC/DC
When someone says the words 'rock and roll', your mind very quickly veers towards the stadium-filling AC/DC. Following the death of Bon Scott and with a new vocalist on board, Back In Black seemed to be a make-or-break for the British-born, Australian-based rockers. Ultimately Brian Johnson proved to be a fitting man to take the helm, as his powerful voice kept the ignition on full as the group fire through some hard-hitting rock bangers from start to finish.
Standouts:
What Do You Do for Money Honey
You Shook Me All Night Long
Back In Black
July 12: Station to Station - David Bowie
With a career so dense and a discography so broad, it's hard to ever say I really know all of David Bowie's music, as Station to Station once again proves. The tracklist is short here, but Bowie gives himself space to delve deep into the musical space of this album, with a more symphonic approach to each of the tracks. The usual Bowie components are all here – eccentricity and experimentation – but Station to Station still manages to maintain a unique spot among the albums of one of music's all-timers.
Standouts:
Station to Station
Golden Years
TVC15
July 13: Tapestry - Carole King
One of America's most successful hit-makers, I was surprised upon listening to Carole King's Tapestry to not recognise all but one of the tracks. Although her music seems to have stayed above my radar, this was still an enjoyable listen, even if it was only inoffensive soft rock. King has a real soothing voice, and this calmness is reflected in the album cover which finds her and a cat (hers?) looking unbothered in the most tranquil of ways.
Standouts:
Way Over Yonder
It's Too Late
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
July 14: Alchemy - Disclosure
One of the best electronic acts I've ever seen live, Disclosure come through with their latest full-length release with Alchemy. Where previously Disclosure have used big-name features and mainstream club sound aesthetics to go for commercial success, here they don't worry about that at all. Alchemy feels a little more underground than I'm used to from the duo, and it's great to see them trying something new – and a little heavier – once again. Bring on the dancefloor.
Standouts:
Simply Won't Do
A Little Bit
Go The Distance
July 15: Faith - George Michael
Having watched the insightful new Wham! documentary, I wondered why I'd never listened to a full George Michael album before. Turns out though, I pretty much have. Faith is so full of hits I already knew that it didn't really feel like a first listen-through. This is a testament to Michael's brilliant knack for writing tunes and also his iconography. Faith is bold and sexy, a debut record that told the world George Michael was here to stay.
Standouts:
Father Figure
I Want Your Sex
One More Try
July 16: His N Hers - Pulp
With an upcoming gig on the horizon, I thought I ought to get some more Pulp under my belt before what's sure to be an electric evening. While Different Class seems to be their most prolific album, His N Hers does it for me a little more. Jarvis Cocker is in brilliant form here with his whimsical delivery in both song and the often spoken word passages. Theatrical in sound and style, this is a serious winner from Pulp.
Standouts:
Lipgloss
Babies
Do You Remember The First Time?
July 17: Beautiful And Brutal Yard - J Hus
The never-ending man of the hour, J Hus, is back with his new album Beautiful And Brutal Yard. Coming in strong with nineteen tracks, J Hus manages to retain the listener's attention for a full hour with non-stop Afroswing and rap. The production is clean as hell, with smooth beats and smoother flows from Hus, as he delivers the cheeky spiel we've come to expect from the East London rapper. He delves into whichever style or genre he pleases, with help from some big features along the way.
Standouts:
Cream
It's Crazy
Who Told You
July 18: Spirit In The Sky - Norman Greenbaum
An American album through and through, Norman Greenbaum's Spirit In The Sky is a real road trip of an album. By this, I mean his laidback country/soul-influenced style inspires images of a cruise along a flat desert highway in a Cadillac - or something of the sort. While Greenbaum is primarily known for the success of the single of the album's namesake, the LP is an enjoyable and varied listen, providing feel-good tunes from start to finish.
Standouts:
Spirit In The Sky
Jubilee
Marcy
July 19: Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters
The Scissor Sisters' debut self-titled album was a real statement of intent as they arrived on the scene in the early 2000s. Camp and groovy, the New York group land on a sound somewhere in between pop, rock and disco. The vibrancy of the cover art is a reflection of the energy the album emits, with Shears' falsetto vocals riding high over smooth guitars and keyboards. And who knew you could make a Pink Floyd song sound like that?
Standouts:
Filthy/Gorgeous
Comfortably Numb
Take Your Mama
July 20: Grand Turismo - The Cardigans
Grand Turismo's cover art is a prophetic one: with its car-themed title, The Cardigans predicted the style of all the Fast and Furious posters to come a few years later. Corny covers aside, the Swedish rock band's moody style follows a trend of those such as Radiohead and Portishead around the same time. There is more energy here, though, and Nina Persson's melancholy vocals contrast nicely to deliver an off-kilter tone.
Standouts:
Hanging Around
My Favourite Game
Erase / Rewind
July 21: The Ballad of Darren - Blur
After an eight-year hiatus, one of the bastions of Britpop – Blur – return with The Ballad of Darren. This album is a far cry from the Blur of the 90s, with a more easygoing sound as has progressed with the career of frontman Damon Albarn. At this point, one can't help but feel this is just another Albarn project under a different pseudonym, but as an unapologetic mega fan of the man, I don't really have any complaints. It's a good break from the tiring Gorillaz formula.
Standouts:
The Narcissist
Barbaric
Goodbye Albert
July 22: Messy - Olivia Dean
Pop soul is absolutely thriving on the UK scene right now, and Olivia Dean joins the ranks of Joy Crookes and Arlo Parks paving the way for the new sound of the genre. Her debut album, Messy, is far from its namesake, as Dean provides forty minutes of music that feels refined and slick. Her strong vocals guide the melodies of each song as she delves into coming to terms with lost relationships and navigating the intensity of the modern world.
Standouts:
The Hardest Part
UFO
Dive
July 23: King Stingray - King Stingray
King Stingray at first sound like another Aussie surf rock group, but their integrated Yolŋu sound adds a freshness like nothing I've heard before. A blend of language and style between Australian-English and the native Yolŋu delivers a groovy and unique sonic experience. Energy is high throughout as a breadth of instruments are utilised to establish King Stingray as one to watch on the Australian scene that seems to keep reaching new heights.
Standouts:
Let's Go
Milkumama
Get Me Out
July 24: Residente - Residente
From one self-titled debut to the next, Puerto Rican rapper Residente's first solo release is a wholly different experience. After co-founding and featuring in the rap collective Calle 13, Rene Joglar broke off for his own experimental hip-hop record, taking influence from many global styles and sounds. With that approach, though, it's hard to find a focal theme for this album, leaving things a little all over the place, even if there are some great tracks in here.
Standouts:
Guerra
Somos Anormales
Desencuentro
July 25: Coming Home - Leon Bridges
The soulful melodies of Leon Bridges feel like they're plucked straight out of a 60s jazz bar. On his debut, Coming Home, Bridges presents a style that is succinct and full of heart. Smooth horns and guitars form the ground on which Bridges' smoother still vocals glide along. His music really does feel like a sonic time machine, and one can very easily drift away into deep thought with this album on in the background.
Standouts:
Shine
Brown Skin Girl
River
July 26: Loving In Stereo - Jungle
With Jungle set to headline a festival I'll be off to next month, I thought I'd get another one of their albums under my belt, this time being their most recent release, Loving In Stereo. Their lively combination of funk and dance is everpresent, but on Loving In Stereo their approach is more expansive, producing grooves previously unexplored. All in all, the record is, as expected, a series of non-stop head-boppers, a blast which can only be better in live performance.
Standouts:
Keep Moving
Truth
All Of The Time
July 27: Automatic For The People - R.E.M.
For an album of this complexity and acclaim to come as the eighth release from a group seems rather unbelievable, but with Automatic For The People, R.E.M. showed that even after twelve years on the scene they were better than ever. Melancholy vocals from Michael Stipe delve into dark subject matter concerning loss and depression, with their folky guitar style adding to this mood. Dark, yes, but it's pretty damn brilliant.
Standouts:
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
Man On The Moon
Nightswimming
July 28: Nymph - Shygirl
When the Mercury Prize nominations are released, I try to make an effort to hear each album before the award is given out. One entry I hadn't previously heard was the debut from experimental hip-hop producer/rapper Shygirl. Nymph incorporates elements from a range of dancefloor sounds, tinny techno on one track to dreamy electropop on the next. Shygirl firmly establishes herself as an artist pushing the boundaries of the UK dance scene.
Standouts:
Firefly
Nike
Come For Me
July 29: UTOPIA - Travis Scott
Five years after one of the most groundbreaking modern hip-hop records – ASTROWORLD – Travis Scott returns with UTOPIA. There's a lot to unpack in this 19-track album, it is dense and a first listen isn't enough, but it's clear Scott isn't going for out-and-out hits here as previous albums have delivered. As ever, though, the slick production is inventive and eccentric, with credits to some of the top of the industry, from Kanye West to Justin Vernon.
Standouts:
MODERN JAM
I KNOW ?
MELTDOWN
July 30: AUSTIN - Post Malone
Following a pretty unremarkable record last year with Twelve Carat Toothache, Post Malone bounces back with a stripped-back, guitar-focussed album of self-reflection. On AUSTIN, Post delves into his indulgent rockstar lifestyle, and how he has begun to distance himself from some of his past behaviour. His catchy hooks and bellowing vocals are still here, as Austin Post reminds listeners of his versatility and capacity to continue to grow.
Standouts:
Mourning
Overdrive
Too Cool To Die
July 31: The Rise of Hobo Johnson - Hobo Johnson
Hobo Johnson's music sees slam poetry and hip-hop come together with a tongue-in-cheek approach that subverts expectations upon an initial listen. As I'll be seeing him in an intimate venue later in the week, I went back to listen to his debut, The Rise of Hobo Johnson. Johnson's self-aware and self-deprecating wordplay brings an interesting mixture of some moments that feel like silly skits, and others that are points of poignant reflection.
Standouts:
Sex in the City
Creve Coeur 1
Romeo & Juliet
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