Ok, let me not jump ahead of myself here. While the majority of this post will be discussing new music releases, I would still like to relish in some of the current projects that have just come out. Before I jump into anything, I realize I consistently issue an apology about not writing all the time. However, I am sure many of you can understand that with rapid change in anyone’s life, it can make it difficult to engage in your recreational side. I promise and vow to at least write a couple posts every week or 2 weeks. Now, lets get to talking.

Summer is often associated as a complimentary element that embellishes every aspect of music. Beach weeks, social outings, and of course summer music festivals heighten the excitement surrounding new releases and preexisting ones. Specifically, fans who spend exuberant amounts of their hard earned money on festival tickets, are ultimately rewarded with teasers and exclusives from their favorite artists. Just this weekend, I was scathingly watching highlights from the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona as bands like Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene perform tracks from their unreleased projects. Below, I have created a list of some of the albums to be on the lookout for during this very exciting and hot summer.

 

Recommended Releases that are out NOW (WARNING: All of these releases, I am currently obsessed with)

Chastity Belt –I Used To Spend So Much Time Alone

-As stated in my disclaimer above, I have riveted this album for the last 24 hours upon its release. Chastity Belt has grown so much over the course of their three album discography. Under well equipped management from Hardly Art, this all female brigade hailing from the Pacific Northwest has fully embraced their jangle pop characteristics. This album immediately caught my attention, when I listened to their first single “5am.” Soothing vocals sung by the beautiful Julia Shapiro with the accompaniment of soft rock melodies makes this one of my favorite releases of the summer.

RECOMMENDED TRACKS: “What the Hell” “Complain” “It’s Obvious”

Beach Fossils-Somersault

Another dream pop/beach rock quartet with excellent summer material is Beach Fossils. With styles similar to their neighbors, like Real Estate and label-mate Frankie Cosmos, they shine in their new album Somersault.
This is their first album in 5 years since their mediocre release of Clash the Truth. The Brooklyn band has definitely sacrificed their time to develop their sound from their traditional lo fi twang to a more polished and absorbent texture.

RECOMMENDED TRACKS: “Down the Line” “That’s All for Now” “Tangerine”

The Mountain Goats-Goths

The Mountain Goats have been around for the better part of 25 years, but arguably have flourished in their later projects from the last 5 . Transcedental Youth and Beat the Champ act as a warm up to their most recent project’s western songwriting. Throughout the album, John Darnielle’s vocals and accompaniment pay homage to West Coast and  goth-like perception of the outside world. On this particular album Darnielle exhibits characteristics of Ben Gibbard (vocalist of Death Cab for Cutie and the Postal Service) that seem too good to be true.

RECOMMENDED TRACKS: “Paid in Cocaine” “Rain in Soho” “Unicorn Tolerance”

Nightlands- I Can Feel The Night Around Me

-Bassist from the band The War On Drugs releases his third solo studio LP with neo-psychedelia and dream elements saturated all over the record. Philadelphia’s own Dave Hartley has had a full slate with working on his solo project and gearing up for the widely anticipated 5th album spearheaded by Adam Granducial (War on Drugs).

RECOMMENDED TRACKS: “Moonbathin” “Easy Does It” “Lost Moon”

Pond- The Weather

Tame Impala’s roster has some of the most hardworking musicians in the business. Each member in the band has their own side project that have been critically acclimated all over the world. Cameron Avery, Pond, and GUM have all released albums in the early part of 2017. Listening to this record, it is abundantly clear that Kevin Parker, head honcho of Tame Impala, has been an obvious influence in Pond’s fourth LP. Recently, Kevin Parker announced that Tame will be taking a brief hiatus, so this will be as close as we can get to a similar record in the near future. This album is loaded with sweet 80’s hooks and a mix of indie dance jams.

RECOMMENDED TRACKS: “Cold as Ice” “3000 Megatons” “Zen Automaton”

 

Upcoming projects to be prepared for…

Fleet Foxes-Crack Up (June 16)

The Drums (June 16)

Kevin Morby- City Music (June 16)

LORDE-MELODRAMA (June 16)

Vince Staples- Big Fish Theory (June 23)

SZA-CTRL (June 23)

HAIM-Something to Tell You (July 7)

Arcade Fire-Everything Now (July 28)

Grizzly Bear- Painted Ruins (August 18)