1.
Curren$y – The Stoned Immaculate
You generally know what you’re going to get from Curren$y – laid back, weed addled flows over smooth, jazzy production, and for his self-professed “first studio album” he manages to up the stakes with some big name collaborations (2 Chainz, Wiz, Pharrell) without losing any of his underground stoner appeal.
2.
Japandroids – Celebration Rock
Punky, spiky Canadian rockers Japandroids make the kind of a songs that have you shouting along with choruses and jumping wildly up and down. This is that shock you out of your afternoon slumber music, the kind of energetic rock that lets you know you’re alive, and makes you want to grab your life by the scruff of the neck. The album title is incredibly apt, and this really is am album of unabashed Celebration Music.
3.
Friends – Manifest!
The debut album from these Brooklynites is a fun and funky, always highly danceable, percussion led record. Already released tracks “I’m His Girl”, “Mind Control” and “Friend Crush” are the strongest on the album, but even the weaker cuts are fun to listen to thanks to lead singer Samantha Urbani’s sassy, strong vocals. Overall, a fun summer album.
4.
Big K.R.I.T. – Live From The Underground
After having released a couple of brilliant, soulful, self-produced mixtapes to build a a great buzz and many loyal fans, the rappers debut album cannot fail to feel like a bit of a non-event. Sure, K.R.I.T. can still spit some knowledge in his signature Southern drawl, but too often he reduces himself to formulaic, unimaginative rhymes. A solid album, but if you’re going to pick one debut major label release this week, make it Curren$y’s.
5.
The Hives – Lex Hives
The Hives new album is not going to surprise you with anything groundbreaking, but 2 minute pop-punk bursts are guaranteed, so take a listen to the whole thing below.
6.
Mystery Jets – Radlands
The Mystery Jets decamped from London to Texas to record this record, and while the new influences are evident (pedal-steel anyone?) the band retain an innately quirky Britishness and have produced a thoroughly enjoyable indie-rock album. Listen to the whole of Radlands below.
7.
d’Eon – LP
Well, errr, this is a concept album about the angel Gabriel living in the 21st Century. Problem? No problem here, especially when a veritable synth-wizard has produced such glorious, shimmering backdrops as these. Take a listen to the grandiose album closer below, and head to Strereogum to stream the whole album.
