Summer is here, bringing along with it not only waves of heat, but also a bunch of new albums set to help you roll through the season with style. This season is the perfect time to lay back and relax and listen to the hottest new tunes.
These are 13 of the best albums releasing later this summer:
We Are Only What We Feel by NONONO
Release: July 1
Swedish trio NONONO looks to follow up their strong single “Pumpin Blood,” which peaked at 22 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart with their debut album We Are Only What We Feel. The trio’s music has an infectious bubbly pop, and their debut album should prove a good test of the group’s musical range.
(Title yet to be announced) by Robin Thicke
Release: July 4
Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” was undoubtedly one of the biggest pop hits of 2013, and now Thicke’s seventh debut album comes a year after that No. 1 success. His next album is primarily produced and written by Thicke himself, so it will be interesting to see whether he can replicate the success of his sensationalized single from last year.
E.L.E.2 (Extinction Level Event 2) by Busta Rhymes
Release: July 8
Busta Rhymes has been around for a while, and the rapper’s 10th album will be the artistic sequel to his 1998 Grammy nominated E.L.E. Busta’s album should prove a powerful comeback for the musician, featuring fellow powerhouses Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Eminem, and producers Tip and Pharrell.
Trouble in Paradise by La Roux
Release: July 8
La Roux’s sophomore effort comes five years after her self-titled, Grammy award-winning debut. After being silent for so long, battling anxiety and a loss of singing ability, Elly Jackson (La Roux), looks to break the silence and rebound from a slew of personal struggles with a strong showing in her second album.
The singer’s high vocal range overlaid onto her electro-pop production were stunning on her debut album, and it will be interesting to see how the long gap between her first and second album has changed her musical style.
1000 Forms of Fear by Sia
Release: July 8
Despite the popularity of her 2010 album We Are Born, Sia like La Roux, has struggled with her own share of personal issues. Known for her impressive vocal range, Sia has struggled with anxiety and substance abuse.
After overcoming these issues, Sia is set to release her sixth album 1000 Forms of Fear, which has already debuted strong singles “Chandelier” and Elastic Heart,” which continue her striking vocals and pop-driven production.
Jungle by Jungle
Release: July 8
Shrouded in mystery, the duo known as Jungle has tried to keep themselves as ambiguous as possible, while releasing brilliant songs such as “The Heat,” “Drops” and “Platoon.” Now stepping forward into the limelight, Jungle looks to take the world by storm with their beautiful falsetto, hazy soul and ultimately urban rooted grooves.
World Peace is None of Your Business by Morrissey
Release: July 8
Steven Patrick Morrissey, former lead singer of The Smiths, has been described by NME as one of the most influential musicians ever. The musical icon will release his 10th solo album, continuing his prestigious musical career.
His 10th album looks to build upon Morrissey’s crooning, folky musical style. Morrissey recently released an experimental music video, with lyrics spoken instead of sung, of the first single off of his album: “World Peace Is None of Your Business.”
Touchdown 2 Cause Hell by Lil Boosie
Release: July 8
While jailed, Lil Boosie has been a famous figure on social media for years, with the movement #freeboosie – a continuing trend on Twitter. Now freed, the rapper looks to release all of the songs he has written while incarcerated, and Touchdown 2 Cause Hell is but one of two albums Boosie is slated to release in 2014.
Boosie’s hard southern rap style still has every bit of aggression and twang as it did before, and he will look to make up for his lost time with his upcoming projects.
5 Seconds of Summer by Five Seconds of summer
Release: July 22
The pop-punk quartet released an EP, She Looks So Perfect, which debuted amazingly at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Now, the quartet seeks to follow up their strong EP with their first album, a self-titled 12-song effort.
The band has a pop rock that seems destined for the Billboards, and their album will surely sound across hit radio stations all summer long.
The Voyager by Jenny Lewis
Release: July 29
Jenny Lewis has had an extensive musical career. She started off with an indie rock band Rilo Kiley, and after their subsequent breakup, she went off on her own to release two solo studio albums. After that, she began performing with her boyfriend Johnathan Rice, in the duo Jenny & Johnny.
Now, Lewis will release her third solo album, The Voyager. Lewis’s album should prove a strong continuation of her talented career as a musician.
Neon Future by Steve Aoki
Release: Aug. 12
Famous dance DJ Steve Aoki will release Neon Future at the tail end of the summer, the first half of a double LP project. Interestingly, the electronic DJ will have Fall Out Boy, Empire of the Sun, Waka Flocka Flame and Will.i.am on his release.
Aoki’s album will be one of the most interesting of the summer, to be sure simply because of the artist’s propensity for his wild, uninhibited, heavy bass-filled sound.
Worlds by Porter Robinson
Release: Aug. 12
Robinson made waves with a 10-hour YouTube video to promote his debut album. The young, 21-year-old house DJ’s album should be a continuation of his signature style – big, bold and bass-filled. The DJ will look to battle Steve Aoki’s Neon Future for the best electronic dance album of the summer.
V by JJ
Release: Aug. 19
Musical group JJ has been on the forefront of experimental music for years, releasing their own brand of music that resembles hip-hop at times and dreamy indie pop at others. JJ’s songs are known for their constant weave of gentle vocals over hip-hop beats, or rapping mixed over wavy, ethereal pop.
Their music is always looking to surprise listeners and push the limits, whether with a new style of vocals or an innovative production. For their third album, JJ has kept the details shrouded in ambiguity. Despite the mysteriousness, V will definitely keep JJ’s strengths at the forefront.
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