10 New Albums Perfect for the Summer Weather

Whenever summer rolls around, the "song of the summer" debate starts. No one ever agrees on what's the ultimate summer song of each respective year, but what's being overlooked, most of the time, is the year's best summer albums. Instead of possessing a couple of tracks ripe for barbeque playlists, some albums come along just in time to soundtrack the warm days and long nights.

2017 has been particularly kind to us in that regard, offering up so much music perfect for summer, that it's hard to know where to start. Combing through some of the best releases of the year so far, we put together a list of 10 recently released albums that lend themselves well to summer '17.

Release date: July 7

Blending the sounds of all his previous work into a cohesive whole, Toro Y Moi's Boo Boo might be his best album so far. There's a colorful shimmer to the production here that just compliments the warmer months of the year wonderfully, recalling his earlier chillwave work without relying on it too much. There's a mix of old and new that blends together to create something entirely his own. Sounding like the best summer you never had, Boo Boo is an album for the ups and downs of the entire season.

Read our interview with Toro y Moi about his new album here.

Release date: July 14

Michelle Zauner's music as Japanese Breakfast would make the perfect accompaniment to a coming of age film, especially with her latest effort, Soft Sounds from Another Planet. There's something very youthful about her music, even if it's often viewed through a nostalgic lens. Her lush compositions are the type of music to make out to, or at least remember highschool crushes too. That's not to say it's immature, as she usually frames these feelings through the eyes of someone a little more wary, but there's bound to be experiences both bad and good that listeners can relate to.

What better way to make new memories than with this album as the soundtrack this summer?

Release date: July 21

Tyler has always shown his love of brighter days in his music, but Flower Boy is the first album of his to reflect that throughout its entire running time. Flower Boy is perhaps his most detailed love letter to summer yet. Each track just sounds like it's been crafted for a nice day, and even if the lyrical content often goes a little deeper than sunshine and fun times, that's just real life, isn't it?

Tyler, The Creator's new album cover, explained by the artist.

Release date: June 2

Fans of Mac DeMarco will definitely find something to enjoy in Eyedress' laid-back new album Manila Ice, but there's more to it than that, too. With some weirder moments and some more propulsive ones, Manila Ice is a good example of what Eyedress is capable of as one of Manila's most consistently brilliant musicians. Slacker rock be damned, this already sounds like a summer playlist with its variety.

Release date: June 30

Moving away from the music that catapulted him to international fame, Calvin Harris' latest album is surprisingly reserved. Full of sunny pop bangers featuring a multitude of high-profile guests, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 is pop nostalgia done right. There's a perfect mix of what's current and old on here, and the resulting listen makes for perfect BBQ music. Here's hoping that summer 2018 will give us Vol. 2.

Release date: May 12

Few artists are capable of showing off their versatility quite as well as rapper and singer J Hus does on his unmissable debut album, Common Sense. Despite taking influence from sounds around the world, the album is distinctively British. It's hard to pin down his styles on Common Sense, but that's a good thing, working constantly in his favor. Throughout, J Hus keeps things exciting by switching up his style and approach.

Release date: June 9

We've been waiting for SZA's debut effort for a long time, but it's safe to say that Ctrl was more than worth the wait. The gorgeous album is of the year's best, and it's also one of the most honest, too. Learning to love herself and admitting her mistakes, SZA has crafted an album worthy of bumping all year round. It sounds particularly good right now, though, too.

Release date: July 14

With his focused debut album, Mura Masa proves he's one of the most versatile producers from the UK right now. His tropical-tinged production borrows elements from disco, funk, house, and modern pop music to excellent effect on his self-titled debut. At only 21 years old, he's already worked with the likes of Asap Rocky, Charli XCX, and even Damon Albarn. It helps that he couldn't have found a better time to release it, with the album arriving just in time for everyone to crack open a few cold ones to.

Release date: July 14

Summer isn't complete without some afropop and dancehall, and thankfully Wizkid is more than capable of delivering the goods on his latest project, which is his U.S. debut. Sounds From the Other Side is yet another strong release from the Nigerian pop star, continuing to showcase his crossover appeal with features from Drake and Ty Dolla $ign among others. The whole project screams for a pool party as soon as possible, honestly.

Release date: June 30

Washed Out deserves to be on consistent rotation each summer regardless of the album, but his latest album might be the most hot weather appropriate music of his so far. While his previous albums have all possessed a delightfully sunny quality, his debut on Stones Throw is one of his most danceable. Mister Mellow sounds like what drinking a tropical drink in the sun feels like. It's refreshing, a little too brief, and one of the most pleasant listens of the year so far.