Summer. It’s the season full of tentative plans revolving around alcohol and open water. There is a certain nonchalant and carefree ambiance that floats freely through every soul in summertown. While many of the top radio execs are frantically searching for their smash “summer hit” that will burn you out like the California sun, I was focusing on other under-marketed talent (focal point of SCREWURADIO). As I illustrate these lucid feelings of emotional buoyancy and tranquility that portray the objective meaning of summer, keep in mind that many independent releases are not as jovial as your family vacation (unless you are Arcade Fire). The July album list I have curated explores through a series of sentiments involving unapologetic flashiness, sincere grief, and impatient temperament of self. Let’s get to the music.

 

Arcade Fire- Everything Now

-As I mentioned previously, most summer hits are overwhelmingly positive and radiant. Arcade Fire’s fifth studio album will have the listener wedged in between 70’s Abba renditions and the ever-evolving sound of electronica. Nostalgic of course, it was almost inevitable that Arcade Fire was bound to move in this synthesizer drenched direction. Around this time in a group’s discography, it is pretty much expected for them to release an album like this. However, the most interesting part is that every element seems to gel completely without any hesitation. To a more elevated degree, this record reminds me of Spoon’s They Want My Soul as they discover and test their comfort level with new electronic elements. Parallel to the band’s acclaimed public acceptance, their popularity is also skyrocketing. With any new signing deal to a major label, in this case Columbia/Sony exclusive license, this new project was able to surface pop charts and radio seamlessly.  This really comes to show that the marketing and promotion omnipotence in pop charts and radio are limitless.

Mappe Of-A Northern Star, A Perfect Stone

-Of course, I have to get to some somber music, right? The man behind this epic ethereal folklore sound is none other than Ontario’s Tom Meikle.  I first discovered his single on an NPR podcast and was immediately hooked. Illustrated best, “his sound captures that in between period between Justin Vernon’s second and third LP.” Meaning, there was a balanced equilibrium of earthy folk and emerging electronica saturated on the record. During my multiple rotations of this, I kept picturing this instrumentalist recording in a large cavern surrounded by stalactites and ghostly wind tunnels. This album truly captures all of Earth’s mysterious and haunting attributes, while still displaying an emotional innocence that country folk represents.

Sheer Mag- Need to Feel Your Love

-Philadelphia’s indie rock power quintet have turned their struggling band into the talk of the town in a matter of just 6 months. Releasing their first project in early January, (Compilation I,II,III) it was hard to tell if this band was going to stay rooted in this garage rock revival attitude forever. However, once Need to Feel Your Love came out, it was evident that they could be the next pioneers of the classic rock revolution. Every element in this band seems to mesh impeccably and give the listener a reason to break out their acid wash Levis and old Boston t shirt. From the nostalgic Thin Lizzy guitar riffs to the infectious vocals from singer Tina Halladay, this record is bound to make anyone, including Alabama Shake’s front-woman Brittany Howard, blush. Sheer Mag’s catchy style should give any baby boomer still living in the past a sense of comfort and enlightenment for things to come. You can read the in-depth piece from Spin Magazine on Sheer Mag here: Spin Interview: Sheer Mag

Terrace Martin-Presents the Pollyseeds-Sounds of Crenshaw

Best known for his production and background instrumentation work for artists like Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and YG; Martin glistens through his radiant collection of jazz fusion and R&B undertones into a single record serving as a paid homage to the city that raised him. The Los Angeles native has his fingers in just about every artist in the TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) pie. Evident sax and production work in project’s like Ab Soul’s These Days… and Lamar’s Section 80 has ultimately set him as the most sought after producer in the contemporary R&B/Hip Hop game. Now, with more knowledge and experience under his belt, he tackles an amazing feat of contemporary jazz through the perspective a young man from the streets of Crenshaw. The ingrained fusion of SoCal production combined with the smooth butter sound of free-form sax makes it a guaranteed destination for west coast MCs to use in the future for sampling.

Dasher-Sodium

Jagjaguwar’s newest addition to their roster includes the emerging destructive noise punk group, Dasher. Formulated in 2014 by the chaotic and rambunctious Kylee Kimbrough, the band had to essentially start from scratch before their looming signing with the popular indie label. Initially signed to Suicide Squeeze Records, the band seemed to be gaining the appropriate amount of label attention from every side of the spectrum. However, an abrupt discontinuation of the group left many scouts utterly baffled. Kimberly, on top of her own personal battles, gathered all of her strength and started from scratch with this clashing project of hers. As a head over heels fanatic of noise punk, I tip my hat to the label/production team for making this record cherish the characteristics of heavy lo fidelity punk, but still keeping it tolerable for the causal listening audience. One can expect a clash of thunderous guitar feedback accompanied by piercing lyrics that can cause a rush of blood upon the first puncture.

Tyler, The Creator- Scum Fuck/Flower Boy

Loud and brash vocalist, Tyler, The Creator released his fourth LP, bouncing back from his Cherry Bomb slump in 2015. Tyler has matured incredibly over the course of his discography since the days of his outspoken youth. Being bashed early on for creating nothing short of “horror-core,” the general public did not give him a particularly warm reception, especially after his 2011 Best New Artist acceptance speech: Tyler’s Best New Artist Speech

Nonetheless, the California native has continually given fans hope that he is progressively becoming more comfortable with his sense of style. With his most recent release, it acts as a coming out party revolving around his grasp of social maturity and reflection on how he still deals with his perils in a positive perspective. His eclectic variety of starstruck features include bass-knocking appearances from ASAP Rocky and Lil’ Wayne, but more importantly include infectious vocal work from Frank Ocean and rising star Anna of the North. Additionally, Tyler also sets a grandiose stage for unheard artists like Rex Orange County and Kali Uchis.

Japanese Breakfast- Soft Sounds From Another Planet

I saved the best for last. Pyschopomp, JB’s debut release, was an incredible preview of what was to be expected from the ever so talented Michelle Zauner. Originally starting in the Philadelphia (fucking Philly’s music scene is unreal…) DIY band, Little Big League, she decided to take a break to concentrate on her own work. This resulted in an immediate fascination for her superb concoction of indie pop and dreamy elements. In time, this resulted in her debut, Pyschopomp, which eventually spring-boarded her to her new label, Dead Oceans. After my first run through of this album, I immediately pressed play again and again. Songs like “Road Head” and “The Body is a Blade” caught my attention and retained my infatuation with this dream pop liaison. A continuous motif that is illustrated throughout this project are the gripping realizations of loss and grief. Losing her mother to a long fought battle with cancer, she allows her listeners to come to terms with overwhelming sorrow, but not reminiscing in the hopeless past. While this album’s overwhelming mood is sorrow-ridden, there are evident displays of glimmering pop elements that tie this project into a perfect ribbon. A must listen.