Top 5 Albums I'm Looking Forward To

Summer is full of hotdogs, sunburns, popsicles, sand in your shoes, and most of all new music. It seems everywhere I turn there’s a new single, EP, or album dropping. So, I’ve decided to compile a list of the albums I’m most looking forward to in the upcoming months…here we go!

5. Jay Som – Album release date: October 10

After six years Jay Som aka Melina Duterte, returns! If you too were also bumping “O.K., Meet Me Underwater” and “I Think You’re Alright” on your way to high school, this is huge news. Her music always feels like the sun peeking just above the clouds. It’s an inbetween, cemented in cool tones, bright instrumentals and never fails to have the catchiest hook. 

Today Jay Som released “Float” featuring Jim Adkins (of Jimmy Eat World fame) and “A Million Reasons Why.” These two singles I think reflect Duterte’s style perfectly. It’s a contrast of upbeat indie rock with “Float” and synthy, dreamy, haze with “A Million Reasons Why.” The Adkins sound bleeds over “Float.” It's a duo I never saw coming, but now it’s one that I don’t want to live without. 

Per the press release, “Float,” “Is about desperately trying to hold on to past versions of yourself for self preservation. The fear of the unknown is so overwhelming that sometimes the best solution is to sit with it instead of fighting or running from it,” Duterte explains. Adkins and herself come together in the chorus singing, “Float don’t fight,” a reminder that sometimes you do have to let it wash over you before getting those boxing gloves on.

Album Art for Belong

4.  Alice Phoebe Lou – Album release date: unknown, but crossing my fingers

Ugh I love love love Alice Phoebe Lou. Every time I hear her music I always think how powerful it must feel to perform them live. She’s a beautiful storyteller. Her simple instrumentals allow her voice to breathe and fold all over you. Tender, easy, and light is what always comes to mind for Alice Phoebe Lou. 

She’s released a stream of singles this year, “Old Shadows,” “You and I,” and “The Surface.” All three work together, complementing and lifting the other up. It’s like the perfect bedtime story that you ask for “just one more time.” 

“The Surface” is my favorite of this trio. It’s a beautiful love song unfolding every step, peeling back the layers, feeling like pillow talk until the sun comes up. “You look at me/You stare at me, and I scream/I can’t keep it inside too long/Can you see what I’m thinking?” “I​​t’s the melting away of our hard outer shells to reach the softer place beneath where we let go and allow ourselves to love and be loved,” Lou said in the press release. “The Surface” moves slowly, letting the feelings pour out in due time. 

3. Wednesday – Album release date: September 19

Wednesday!!! First of all, I love this Where the Wild Things Are esque marketing they’re doing. I’m very excited to hear what Wednesday does with their upcoming album Bleeds. If the singles are any indicator, I have a feeling it’s going to be a good one.

Lead singer, Karly Hartzman stitches songs together beautifully. Each track they release seems like a memory exposed. “Elderberry Wine” is a portrait of a hot summer night, telling stories to your friends under the moon. Disjointed pieces of a memory all jumble up into the sweet chorus. My favorite line in the song is, “Say I wanna have your baby/Cause I freckle and you tan/I find comfort that angels don’t give a damn” oof so sweet it’s giving me a toothache. 

I love that Wednesday isn’t afraid to get a little grimy with it. They’re gritty, sweet, punk, and full of thorny power that pokes your side in just the right way. 

Album Art for Bleeds

2. Wolf Alice –  Album Release Date: August 22

Wolf Alice’s discography was my college soundtrack. But, I am still equally obsessed now. Lead singer, Ellie Rowsell, is a powerhouse in all aspects. Four years later, they’re back with their lead single “Bloom Baby Bloom.” 

Wolf Alice holds contradictions in their hands, that’s what makes their music so interesting. One track can be full throttle, while the next pumps the breaks. “Bloom Baby Bloom” builds and builds delicately like a game of jenga, till the chorus lets all those blocks fall down. To me this track showcases that play with strength and restraint, letting yourself feel empowered in every emotion released. “I’m so sick and tired of trying to play it hard/But I’ll bloom, baby, bloom.” 

The Clearing seems to be paving a slightly new road for Wolf Alice while still sticking to those moments that’ll slap you in the face. 

1. Indigo De Souza - Album Release Date: July 25

If you know me you know I love Indigo De Souza. I will never ever forget seeing her at Pitchfork in the pouring rain with lo mein noodles sticking out of my mouth, loving every moment.  

Anyway, De Souza’s heart has always been on her sleeve. Her music is honest and raw, scratching at those feelings you like to stuff a little too far away. De Souza is touching, magnetic, and dynamic. Her voice rides this white knuckling line that reaches out to you with an outstretched hand. 

The upcoming album Precipice, so far, rides on these changes and shifts that De Souza explores throughout her discography. “Heartthrob” has been in my headphones constantly and reminds me of her past projects. It’s been my summer anthem, making me “click my heels” as I walk down the street. Often, De Souza ruminates on darker subjects while camouflaging them against an indie/alt pop sound. Sometimes it takes a couple listens to really understand what De Souza is getting to the bottom of, and I really like that. 

Precipice being the title of this upcoming album makes me think that De Souza will be charting this apprehensive feeling. Taking a moment to think before stepping or maybe just not even thinking at all and going headfirst. Either way, De Souza will always make you explore yourself while dancing it out. Her music puts a mirror up to herself and you too, placing you with all the parts you sometimes don’t want to admit to. 

This summer is shaking out to be full of good music, I can’t wait to hear all this new stuff! Also I have a couple honorable mentions below if you want to check those out too :). 

Album Art for Precipice by Kimberly Oberhammer

Honorable Mentions: 

Field Medic – Surrender Instead out August 8th

Sir Chloe - Swallow the Knife out August 22

Petey USA - The Yips out July 11

OK Cool -  Chit Chat out August 1