This summer has given way to several surprising releases from bands old and new. From the Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon, Babyshambles and Franz Ferdinand getting back onto the charts, to TEED and SBTRKT making cameo appearances with new remixes, these past two months have seen their fair share of musical comebacks and novelties.
Notable, are Arctic Monkey’s new single “Do I Wanna Know”, Pixies “Bag Boy,” Portugal. The Man’s “Purple, Yellow, Red & Blue (Passion Pit Remix)”, Kings Of Leon’s “Supersoaker” and “Given The Chance” by The Kite String Tangle. If you’re a fan of Soundgarden, check out “Collide” by bassist Ben Shepherd – but prepare yourself for the unexpected.
The Weeknd is releasing his newest album “Kiss Land” in early September, and although slightly skeptical about his first single “Belong To The World,” he definitely made up for it with his second single release “Kiss Land.” There, Abel reminds his fans very blatantly that he’s still in complete control of his music’s sensual appeal, delivering a track that screams sex, drugs and R&B for an entrancing 7 minutes.
With Jay-Z’s new album receiving quite a bit of hype, I chose to showcase MCHB’s most impressively collaborated track. BBC features Nas, Pharell, Timbaland, Swizz Beats, AND of course, the one and only, Queen B (…yoncé), with each of the rappers interlacing their own gangsta verses.
Another track that has particularly blown my mind recently, is “Still” by Daughter, a musical reincarnation of haunted summer nights. Daughter’s newest album dropped back in January, but having only recently discovered this one track, I still can’t help but press ‘repeat’ about five times every day – if only to feel the shivers and goose bumps run up my arms every time I hear her voice chiming through. Similar to this song are “Thinking of You” by The Night VI, and both “Stong” and “Metal and Dust” by London Grammar, my daily New York Subway tunes.
So if you’ve been feeling left out from the new releases, or if, like me, you’ve been missing the bands that began your passion for music way (back in the day), take a minute – or 30 – out of your day and browse through these new releases and other brilliant tracks… You might just find what you never even knew you were looking for.
In The Lion - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
BBC - Jay Z
WRITTEN BY NAIMA VOGT
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NAIMA VOGT
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