This article is so very late which is funny because I finished wrining it on August 8. Just haven't gotten around to posting it. I really should have because there was a lot of great music in July. Better late than never, here it is:
Great Month For Rap
DON’T TAP THE GLASS - Tyler, The Creator (Pop Rap, Dance)
Mr. The Creator has been in so many lanes over the past 10 years or so. This time, he’s put his producer chops to the test more than ever. He was very forward about what this album would be with the rules he presented it with. We’re here to forget all of our shit, have a good time, and dance. And boy did he make some of the most danceable rap tracks of the year. Even removing all of those labels, this is just one of the best batches of songs this year. Ring Ring Ring and Sucka Free are unbelievably catchy. Tyler really has been able to do it all.
Let God Sort Em Out - Clipse (Gangsta Rap, Coke Rap)
I was not one of the people heavily anticipating this album’s release; I was not familiar with Clipse’s history and have admittedly not listened to much of Mr. Pusha or Mr. (No) Malice’s music. While I’m sure it helps, this project certainly does not require an understanding of all of the history and buildup to be enjoyed. Pharrell is here with excellent production, John Legend is here for some vocals, Kendrick is here, Tyler is here. Everyone is here and everyone fits on this thing so well. There are so many bars that have like twenty layers to them. I really enjoyed this project.
Black British Music - Jim Legxacy (Alternative R&B, Pop Rap)
I don’t really even know what genre to classify this project as. There are so many influences coming from R&B, Afrobeats, Emo, and Soul that all blend so well into a style that Mr. Legxacy makes his own. I never felt like there was a dull moment or a moment that sounded like some blend didn't work well over the course of this whole album. I really feel like this is the start of a very creative career in music.
Alfredo 2 - Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (Gangsta Rap, Jazz Rap)
Mr. Gibbs sounds comfortable over any beat he raps on, but he sounds especially comfortable over beats from The Alchemist. He’s in his lane, sounding slick as ever across the entire runtime of this project. It does not have many bells and whistles from the production side or with the flows, but it doesn’t really feel like it needs to do anything crazy.
JACKBOYS 2 - JACKBOYS & Travis Scott (Trap)
Maybe I’m letting Mr. Scott and his entourage get away with too much because there was a ton of great rap music this month, but I didn’t mind this one. I feel like it scratches the rage rap, cloud rap, trap itch. Is the music quality? Not really. But does it satisfy that shitty rap, listen to this in the background for the flows and the beats vibe? I think so.
One Of My Favorites Of The Year It Can Have Its Own Category
Vanisher, Horizon Scraper - Quadeca (Art Pop, Folktronica)
If the singles were to be believed, this was going to be an excellent project. I was disappointed after the first track of the album. It’s drawn out and tough to derive any meaning from. The meaning becomes clear in the whole context of the album after a full listen, but I don't think that this track lends itself much to what I take as the album’s main theme: the difficulty and importance of choice in our lives. The rest of the songs on this album all contribute to this theme in some major way. Mr. Quadeca’s vocals on this album remind me of Black Country, New Roads former lead singer Isaac Wood’s vocals in terms of feel, not sound. The vocals are not always pretty, but they are appropriate for what’s being said and make you feel what they want you to feel. I am going to write more at length about this album at some point, whenever that may be. It is not a narrative album like I Didn’t Mean to Haunt You, but its commitment to its central theme across most of its runtime is wonderful and deserves conversation.
Americana Is Alive And Well
Snipe Hunter - Tyler Childers (Americana)
Mr. Childers and Zach Bryan are the saviors of the country genre. All of this pop country bullshit that you hear blasted from Jeeps and from people that have their speakers playing too loud on the beach is awful. It’s great to see that there are two artists who are getting a lot of popularity that are making country music that seems to have care and appreciation for the genre. In direct contrast to Mr. Bryan, Tyler Childers goes bonkers on this album. A lot of his vocals are almost screamed over these heartland rockish instrumentals laced with psychedelia, though there are still plenty of lowkey and intimate moments. This album delves into genuinely dark themes that a lot of country music tends to stay away from which is refreshing.
Streets of London - Zach Bryan (Americana)
This is an EP? A batch of singles? I’m not sure what to call it besides three songs that are on par with what Mr. Bryan has released over the past few years.
There Were Two Alternative Albums That Disappointed Me
. - Kesha (Dance Pop)
I really liked Ms. Kesha’s Gag Order. It would have been super easy for Gag Order to play it safe for multiple reasons. For one, it was released right as Kesha was settling her case with Dr. Luke, and was her foray back into music after dealing with a lot of disgusting stuff done by an awful person. Second, Gag Order embraces a lot of electronic elements. At the time of its release, the electronic craze was going crazy. Everyone and their mom was coming up with fun new hyperpop adjacent sounds that would have been so easy to copy. Kesha seemingly decided that Gag Order was not going to be a play-it-safe kind of record, and put together a combination of singer-songwriter music and creative electronic production that I really enjoyed. All of this is to say that I truly believed that Kesha would continue to come out with fun, new sounds on this new album, whether it be in the same style as Gag Order or now. It did not deliver. This album is pretty derivative dance pop music. It will function well at festivals and raves and the like, but it is severely lacking the creativity that Gag Order had.
moisturizer - Wet Leg (Indie Rock, Post Punk)
I like some Wet Leg songs. My main issue with their music in the past has been that it’s not over the top enough. I feel like they could lean much more into the punk vibe they seem to be going for. Unfortunately this trend continues on Moisturizer. It just feels like all of the moments where they could take things further fall just short of the finish line. I still think the album is ok, just not what it could have been.
Dumpster Fire
Sex Hysteria - Jessie Murph (Alt-Pop)
I wouldn't have felt right hopping on the train of calling this album garbage if I hadn’t listened to it, so unfortunately I sat through the whole thing. The whole thing is as awful as the 10 second clips you’ve heard. The production ranges from basic to made by a toddler. The vocals are terrible. I’m not sure what kind of statement she’s trying to make lyrically. She talks about sex a lot I guess? It’s awful, don’t listen to it.
My August Favorites
I have most of my August article written already. Will it get posted in a timely manner? Only one way to find out. See you next time.
Can't wait for the august article!!
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