Album Girl Summer!
Albums I’ve been loving, loving, loving!
Confession: I’ve never been a huge playlist person. I’ve always preferred listening to an album in its entirety rather than chopping up a bunch of larger works into smaller pieces to create my own vibe. Finding a record that perfectly matches my emotions and energy always feels more rewarding than putting on a tailor-made playlist to make me feel something. But a con to this lifestyle is that it makes finding music for the changing seasons a little more difficult. With the arrival of summer comes new emotions, and new feelings that need to be addressed and reflected in what I listen to. As the temperature rises I slip off my alternative rock and indie pop sweater, and into my RnB and Dance music sundress (with my indie pop purse, of course, I could never totally leave her behind.) Lucky with summer in full swing (and consequently my yearning) this season’s soundtrack has slipped into my life with ease. From new releases to old favorites, Album Girl Summer is alive and well. Over the past two months, I’ve spent ample time on trains, planes, and cars, traveling between cities and countries familiar and unfamiliar. Along the way, these albums guided me and made my bags just a little bit lighter and my travels a little bit easier.
Fountain Baby - Amaare
There are very few musical bodies of work that I consider perfect, and Fountain Baby is one of them. In a culture that’s obsessed with the latest TikTok hit that shoots to viral acclaim for two weeks and then disappears, Fountain Baby is like a rare artifact from a time when an entire body of work mattered more than the singles. In Beyonce’s words, “Nobody wants to make albums anymore,” but thankfully Amaare does. Finding Fountain Baby felt like digging through the bins at a thrift store and finding vintage designer in perfect condition. It felt like descending into a dark cave with nothing but a headlamp and a pick and coming out with a rare gemstone. This album has been taking up space in my mind since the fall of last year, but listening to it in the summertime makes it sound just that much better. Probably the most popular song off the record, Angels In Tibet, is the kind of song you dance around in in your bathing suit before the beach, (and then again after the beach, right before you get in the shower.) I can’t pin down my favorite song, each time I listen to it (which is like once a week) I find a new one. But gun to my head, If I had to choose, I think it would be Wasted Eyes. Simply put--it makes me feel like a bad bitch. There's no way I’m supposed to listen to her sing “Fresh to Death I’m Beyond Heat, Activist in my Dior Jeans” on that crazy ass beat and not get beside myself. I’m (not) sorry.
Cupid Deluxe - Blood Orange
Blood Orange, the man that you are. His work never ceases to amaze me. Diving into his vast catalog only inspires me to do more, be more, and create in any way I can. I listened to Cupid Deluxe for the first time after watching Challengers (2024) and learning the song Uncle ACE that plays when Zendaya makes her white boys kiss is on this album. Since I first started listening to Blood Orange in high school I’ve jumped around his discography and listened to everything out of order. I started with Negro Swam, then Coastal Grooves, then Angels Pulse. So by the time I listened to Cupid Deluxe, I was already deeply in love with Blood Oranges' transverse and funky style. In my opinion, Cupid Deluxe is his peak. The opening alone sets this work apart from anything that came before or after it. Chamakay’s grounded yet whimsical beat draws you in slowly and steadily to his depraved and heartbroken world. His passionate and pleading lyrics feel like begging someone to just listen and hear him out as his voice echoes out on the track. A cheeky feature from Ms. Caroline (them niggas have daughters) Polachek takes it to the next level. It sounds like they recorded this song from a cave, it expands and contracts and bounces along the walls. Another favorite of mine is Chosen. It’s just beautiful, embedded in it is so much sorrow yet so much hope. On the many mornings that I’d listen to this album on the way to work, Chosen was usually playing as I stepped off the train. As I mentally prepared myself for whatever bullshit was to come with my day, I knew no matter what, Chosen would be there for me. Also, the little French monologue at the very beginning of it is so cutie.
BRAT - Charli XCX
I am not having a “brat” summer, or whatever the kids are calling it. I’ve been working, wallowing, reading, and writing. And honestly, I’m happier for it. But just because I’m not taking part in the lifestyle doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the soundtrack. Before BRAT, I wasn’t a super huge Charli XCX fan. I liked a few songs here and there, but if I’m being honest, she kind of annoyed me. But in this new era she’s stepped into, something feels different. She feels older, she sings with a retrospect she never had before. I’ve seen a few interviews where she corroborates this sentiment, saying she’ll forever be a party girl but party girls must grow up and feel their feelings. I think that’s what surprised me most about this album, how emotional it was and how willing it was to be vulnerable. When I listen to BRAT, it lets me look forward to the kind of person I might be a few years from now. I have hope that as I age my life will only get more and more exciting, and I’m sure I’ll only get more stylish. My first favorite of this record was Club Classics. Not only is it a really good song, I just love the idea of going to the club and listening to only you and your friend's music. I think that’s how I feel when I go back and read old blog posts expecting to feel cringe, but they’re actually pretty tolerable. Aside from that something about it makes me happy, it kind of reminds me of the feeling of linking up with your friends for the first time in a long time. Another song on this album that makes me feel, Everything is Romantic. It feels like a journey, first floating in the open ocean, then hopping on a boat, then climbing a mountain? I don’t know how to explain it, but this song travels through peaks and valleys, all of which are filled with so much desire. Just the statement, “Everything is Romantic,” is so simple, but so beautiful. I listened to this song on the beach the other day and ascended.
Timeless - Kaytranada
Let me start by saying this; Ravvyn Leane I’m ashamed to say I was not familiar with your game. I had listened to a few of her songs, but I admittedly never gave her the time of day and I’m genuinely sorry. Trust and believe I’ll be listening and learning from here on out. Video is probably one of my favorite songs released this summer, it makes me want to take selfies on my Macbook photo booth and post every single one of them. It makes me want to dance barefoot in the sand tipsy at sunset. I’ve quite literally never heard anything like this, it’s sexy, edgy and so much fun to listen to. It feels like you’re in a car late at night flying down an empty street over speed bumps. Kaytranada albums are always a treat because of all the diverse features and supporting acts he brings on. But what makes it for me this time is Kaytranda himself, this album really does feel timeless. He’s at the top of his game, each song is so precise and the production is pristine. While all of the songs with features are amazing some of his best work is on the interludes, Please Babe and Dance x4 not only hold their own among all the star-studded features but stand out as just as if not more impressive. But speaking of features, one of my favorites to this day is Drip Sweat. I listened to the album for the first time on the train on my way home from an eight-hour shift, I was exhausted, and yet, I found the energy to almost jump out of my seat when Drip Sweat for the first time. Every cell in my body wanted to dance, my feet started shuffling my fingers tapping, my shoulders jumping. Chanel Tres came on that beat like fucking batman in that deep-ass scary-ass voice, it was everything. It’s a blessing and a curse I’m not having a brat summer because if I heard this song in the club they might have to carry me out on a stretcher.
Underdressed At The Symphony - Faye Webster
This album is peak sad girl summer music (not that I’m having a sad girl summer, but we all have our moments.) It came out a little bit ago but I only listened to it in its entirety recently, and honestly, I’m glad I waited. It fits perfectly on train rides to and from work, or to and from Boston played twice over. It’s perfect lean your head against the glass and wallow music, she seems to have a knack for that. I’ve listened to Faye Webster since high school but I sometimes struggle to keep her in frequent rotation because her songs are just a little too sad, or a little too whiny. To my pleasant surprise this record perfectly walks the line between a little sadness and a little groove, its cheeky and creative production lifts all the woe and sorrow she sings about and makes it a little lighter. One of my favorites is Wanna Quit All The Time. She sings about avoiding an ex and hating the attention her career brings over a tropical beat with bongos and bass. Another favorite of mine is the title track, it feels like Faye Webster at her prime. She sings with a confidence and assurance she doesn’t have on her other records, she might be sad but she’s not shying away from it and she’s not ashamed. If anything, she’s placing the blame on the person who made her feel this way, and charging them with her unhappiness. It feels like she’s really stepped into her sound on this record and it’s fun to listen to. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, let alone let it define my summer.
Looking Forward - Music for July and Beyond
For Your Consideration - Empress Of
Again, I’m ashamed to say: Empress Of I was not familiar with your game! This album is the perfect addition to my summer rotation. It’s a masterful blend of pop and electronic music to dance to and more alternative ballads with amazing beats to yearn too. And the production is also a 10/10. Current favorite song: Lorelai.
Freetown Sound - Blood Orange
I don’t have much to say, the more I listen to Blood Orange the more I love him. And the more his music becomes engrained in my life and the changing of my seasons. Current favorite song: Best to You
Charm - Clairo
To me, Sling felt like Clairo retreating into herself in the face of massive success, and Charm feels like her reemergence and rebirth as indie pop queenie. (This is not Sling at all, she runs sad girl fall) The seeds she planted on Sling blossom on her newest record, it’s fun and flirty first and vulnerable second which is a change of pace I love to see from Clairo. Current favorite song: Juna
Lastly, a playlist.
“Sidnie, didn’t you just say you don’t really like playlists and prefer albums,” well yes! This a playlist for you, not for me. It’s a summary of all the works I just discussed plus some more summer 2024 favorites. A way to round out the vibe per se, or a gift, “a thank you for reading”, from me to you. x
