The Spins

Alright, we’re back into the rhythm of this whole thing again. I’ve had plenty of time to listen to music, and some of it was even good. Who would have thunk it? This is going to be kind of long, so I’m going to stop the preambling here.

Stereolab, Instant Holograms on Metal Film

After some time away, Stereolab has come back in as fine a form as one could expect—and I might argue that they are even better. They took what they learned from their side projects (Cavern of Anti-Matter, Laetitia Sadler’s solo work) and upgraded the Stereolab sound in beautiful ways. A phenomenal return from one of the great legacy indie acts.

RIYL: Previous Stereolab, Psych Music, Repetition, Socialism

Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams, Trainspotting

These two are major players on the underground rap scene right now. On one of Rome’s previous albums, his breakthrough Kiss The Ring, Conductor put him through his paces, giving him some really off-the-wall beats to contend with, and Rome handled them with panache. This time around, things are more in the pocket. Conductor’s beats are still solid, and Rome shows that he’s one of the best on the mic.

RIYL: Griselda, Mach-Hommy, Boldy James

Lifeguard, Ripped and Torn

After hearing their initial EPs, which are superb, I long wondered what the Lifeguard full-length would sound like. My answer is that is it as noisy, poppy, psychedelic, and wild as I thought it would be. It’s a 30-minute maelstrom, and I couldn’t be happier for it.

RIYL: Sonic Youth, Ramones, Wire

Frankie and the Witch Fingers, Trash Classic

There are few things that I enjoy more than a well-executed synth-punk album. This is such an album. The keyboards sizzle across the tracks, the vocals cut through the mix, the lyrics are both funny and dystopian, and the band is having a blast. I had an absolutely delightful time listening to this record.

RIYL: Devo, Screamers, The Cars

Little Simz, Lotus

Simz has got some beefs with the world, but she expresses them so beautifully. This album is sonically all over the place, with a bossa nova groove, an afrobeat rhythm, and some R&B-type smoothness. The centerpiece, as always, is her lyricism, which is on point as she tells an important story about how she learned how to trust herself in this music game after dealing with shady dudes. Another very strong outing from one of the most in-form rappers in the game right now.

RIYL: Sampha, John Glacier, SAULT

Theo Croker, Dream Manifest

Croker continues his journey of merging jazz with hip-hop and music from the diaspora in new, inventive ways. His trumpet playing always stands out, but as I have seen over the course of his albums, his songwriting and leadership is continually improving. The man has a clear vision, and the resulting albums are proof of that. Again, if you are interested in the future of jazz, listen to this man’s albums, starting here.

RIYL: Afrofuturism, Hip-Hop, Makaya McCraven

Brandee Younger, Gadabout Season

If you play jazz harp, you’re inevitably going to deal with comparisons to Alice Coltrane. For Brandee Younger, these aren’t unfounded, as Coltrane is a massive influence on her. On this release, Brandee Younger shows more of herself as she presents an album of original compositions for the first time. Her mixture of jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and classical forms results in a dreamy album that is a pleasure to listen to.

RIYL: Alice Coltrane, spiritual jazz

Sorry Girls, Dreamwalker

I’m not sure what’s up with Montreal, but the musicians up there love playing music that sounds like everything after 1989 didn’t exist. The duo of Sorry Girls have made an album full of dreamy, well-executed tracks that would slot into any 80s adult-pop playlist that you could make. It’s goes down really, really smooth, and I do enjoy that in an album.

RIYL: Tops, Sean Nicolas Savage, Fleetwood Mac

Maxo, Mars is Electric

Maxo returns with an album about staying true to yourself. The beats are creative, featuring some club-music flourishes as well as various soul loops. As always, Maxo is a sharp MC, making any project of his a compelling listen.

RIYL: They Hate Change, Ratking, This Sporting Life

Hotline TNT, Raspberry Moon

On this album, Hotline TNT turn down the noise and turn up the emotion, a classic move of the shoegaze genre. While other bands stumble when doing this, Hotline TNT makes it look effortless. It’s a great listen that appeals to both shoegaze enthusiasts as well as folks who just like to rock.

RIYL: Whitelands, DIIV, New Slowdive

U.S. Girls, Scratch It

Meg Remy was down in the South, and she got paired up with a band of country session players. They vibed really well, and went into the studio and recorded this lovely album. It’s everything you know about U.S. Girls from before, but done in a country form. I deeply enjoyed this album; the country twang suits her vibe and lyrics well. It’s been delightful to watch her mature from the young woman I saw singing over a tape loop in a basement venue in Iowa City back in 2008.

RIYL: Weyes Blood, The Weather Station

HAIM, I Quit

While opinion has been split on this album, I think it is a strong return from the sisters. The songs are interesting and dynamic, and it’s nice to see them doing whatever the living fuck they want to do. I always support that.

RIYL: Dealing with terrible men, dating, relationships

yaya bey, do it afraid

One of the R&B queens of 2024—and accurate critic of Eric Adams— comes back with another album full of her distinct blend of fire beats, smooth raps, and delightful singing. This album is very breezy and extremely enjoyable, perfect for a relaxed summer night.

RIYL: Rayvn Lenae, Kelela

Lorde, Virgin

Can we all as a people just give Lorde a hug? She’s been having a hard go of things, and this album is her just working through everything and being true to herself. It is beautiful, sad, poignant. It bumps the dancefloor, and it moves the spirit. It is everything. It is life. I don’t think it will be Virgin Summer, but that’s alright. I’m just glad to see Lorde doing better and figuring out what she’s all about.

RIYL: Charli xcx, the “girl, so confusing” remix, Pinkpantheress, Jessy Lanza

Charif Megarbane, Hawalat

Take Middle Eastern grooves and pair them with hip-hop and funk stylings, and you have this album. A perfect groove listen. Put it on while you’re doing something else and enjoy.

RIYL: Omar Khorshid, Monster Rally

I told you this would be long, and this could have been longer. I think that 15 recommendations is more than enough. Honestly, probably should be less, but I’ve already written it, so it’s staying. (To all of you who are saying I could just edit this down, I have two words for you: quiet, you!) Next post up is a review of the Bruce Springsteen lost album box set that just dropped. I have thoughts. You’ll read them on Saturday. To quote John McLaughlin: Bye bye!