THE JOURNAL
Holiday season has officially arrived, and with it the grand tradition of spending hours on a sun lounger doing absolutely nothing but soaking up the rays. (While slathered in a suitable SPF, we might add.) But what Italians call “il dolce far niente” – the joy of doing nothing – isn’t complete without some good music or a book to get lost in. And seeing as we’ve already got you covered on the literary front, here are eight of the best new music releases to keep you bopping all summer long, whatever holiday destination you have on the cards.
01.
Kaytraminé by Kaytraminé
Image courtesy of Venice Music
As a certain misguided Twitter user once said, “name a more iconic duo… we’ll wait”. Kaytraminé sees legendary producer Kaytranada and rapper Aminé join forces for one of the most buzzed-about collaborations of the summer. Packed with high-energy house tracks, it’s set for heavy rotation at pool parties over the next couple of months. It boasts an impressive list of guest artists: honourable mentions to Messrs Pharrell Williams, Freddie Gibbs and Snoop Dogg, who make an appearance.
02.
Work Of Art by Asake
Image courtesy of YBNL Nation
After releasing his first full-length project, Mr Money With The Vibes, just last year, Nigerian artist Asake is back with a second studio album. Packed with feel-good songs – highlights include “Amapiano”, “2:30” and “Olorun” – Work Of Art is infused with traditional and contemporary African music influences, from Yoruba fújì sounds to South Africa’s now internationally popular amapiano genre.
03.
My Soft Machine by Ms Arlo Parks
Image courtesy of Beatnik Creative
The second album by London-born artist Ms Arlo Parks is for the indie kid that still lives in your heart. With soothing tunes and gentle beats, embedding RnB influences and lo-fi guitars, My Soft Machine is a deeply personal album that explores maturing and life in your twenties – a calm companion for summer nights.
04.
Barbie: The Album by various artists
Image courtesy of Atlantic Records
Whether you’ll be opting for Oppenheimer or Barbie in this summer’s battle of the blockbusters, there’s one clear soundtrack winner (hint: there is no Oppenheimer: The Album). Featuring more than a dozen artists, including the likes of Mses Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj, Lizzo and Tame Impala, Mr Mark Ronson’s latest production is guaranteed to be the pop sensation of the summer. Don’t miss “I’m Just Ken” by none other than Mr Ryan Gosling himself.
05.
Good Lies by Overmono
Image courtesy of XL Recordings
For their debut album, Overmono – Welsh brother duo Messrs Tom and Ed Russell – have crafted a dance music odyssey that will keep you moving all summer long. With techno, jungle and drum ‘n’ bass influences, The Guardian described Good Lies as “UK rave history distilled to perfection”. Let’s also take a moment to appreciate the album cover.
06.
Raven by Kelela
Image courtesy of Warp Records
Kelela’s latest was one of this year’s most anticipated releases, and for good reason – it came a full six years after her debut, Take Me Apart, which was widely considered one of the best albums of 2017. Intimate, introspective and unapologetically honest, Raven is an exploration of black womanhood in dance music that combines the artist’s signature RnB sounds with breakbeat tunes and a roster of high-profile collaborators including Shygirl, Janiva Ellis, Junglepussy and Nguzunguzu’s Asmara, among others.
07.
Fountain Baby by Amaarae
Image courtesy of Interscope Records
After her debut album The Angel You Don’t Know, Ghanaian-American artist Amaarae has come into her own with Fountain Baby, released earlier this summer. Reflecting her multi-faceted talent with a unique blend of Afrobeats, experimental pop, electronic sounds and signature vocal, Fountain Baby makes Amaarae one of the most exciting artists to watch (and listen to) this summer.
08.
Chaos For The Fly by Mr Grian Chatten
Image courtesy of Partisan Records
When we spoke to Mr Grian Chatten last year, the frontman and chief lyricist of the Dublin post-punk quintet Fontaines D.C. had a lot in the pipeline. The band’s third studio album, Skinty Fia, was about to be released, and Chatten was about to make his solo debut with Chaos For The Fly, which was released on 30 June. In his latest project, Chatten moves away from Fontaines’ post-punk sounds to leave space for an intimate blend of acoustic guitars, drum machines and guest vocals from his fiancé, Ms Georgie Jesson.