Every digest I put together seems to develop its own unique atmosphere, and today’s collection is all about that vintage sound and a general stylistic nostalgia. July has always been one of the weakest months for major releases, second only to November and December. Nonetheless, I tried to find as much interesting music as possible. The selection was made from 705 albums, and the full list will be attached at the bottom of this article on Boosty and Patreon.
Emoji showcases popularity, from total unknowns to superstars: [🌌🌑🌙☄️✨🌟]
15. Clairo - Charm
🇺🇸 US, Massachusetts / July 12 / 0,803 / 🌟
Spotify / Apple Music / Yandex Music
chamber pop / indie folk / soul / soft rock / sophisti-pop / psychedelic
Clairo, or Claire Cottrill, might not be shattering any musical barriers or crafting an exceptional new style with her album "Charm". It’s just another girl recording another indie-pop album, delving into the emotional debris left by a past relationship and airing her grievances about her ex, reminiscing about the vibrant moments they shared. It all plays out to the thick, rich, and slightly monotonous sound typical of indie music. If you’re old enough, you’ve probably heard dozens of such albums and artists in your lifetime. However, despite this, “Charm” doesn’t irritate at all. It’s pleasant music, with lyrics that sometimes hit home, even if the choruses aren’t particularly striking. Another noticeable thing is the consistent use of brass instruments in the arrangements, making you feel like you’re listening to a pop incarnation of Jethro Tull. One moment it's a flute, the next it’s a clarinet, then a mellotron (which, while not a wind instrument, very much fits the Jethro Tull vibe). Most of the instruments were played by Leon Michels, who co-wrote Norah Jones’ “Visions” album in March.
14. Iress - Sleep Now, In Reverse
🇺🇸 US, California / July 26 / 0,804 / 🌑
Spotify / Apple Music / Yandex Music
shoegaze / doom metal / post-rock / alternative rock / dream pop / slowcore
The Band Iress is a dual fantasy, imagining how Hope Sandoval would sound if she tried to be Chelsea Wolfe, and vice versa. Most of the time, the album "Sleep Now, In Reverse" floats above the ground in cool melancholic currents, with a slight suspense that something louder, harder, and buzzing might suddenly emerge, though this rarely happens. But sometimes the band does bite back, as on "The Remains" or "Knell Mera", which is much closer to doom metal than dream pop. "Sleep Now, In Reverse" is their third album in ten years, but they only gained initial recognition last year when they released the EP "Solace". Even compared to that, you can feel how much they improved the production, making the new album sound much cleaner, pleasantly revealing the songs' purple haze, matched perfectly by their choice of cover art.
13. Avery Anna - Breakup Over Breakfast
🇺🇸 US, Arizona / Tennessee / July 19 / 0,807 / 🌟
Spotify / Apple Music
country / pop rock
Avery Anna's journey into the music world began in 2021 with the release of a few singles. One of them, "Narcissist", surged and earned her initial fame. Her early songs were the usual tear-jerking ballads, blending into the contemporary pop scene. However, as she began working on her debut album, Avery shifted her style closer to pop-rock and light country. While this new direction isn't entirely unique, it’s a refreshing step away from the mainstream swamp. The album features a generous 17 tracks, five more than the standard norm. Removing a few dubious tracks from the original release to some deluxe edition would improve the overall impression. Nevertheless, there are standout tracks like "party", "Make It Look Easy", and "Blonde". Overall, "Breakup Over Breakfast" marks a promising debut for this emerging artist.
12. Clothing - From Memory
🇺🇸 US, New York / July 26 / 0,812 / 🌑
Spotify / Apple Music
art pop / indietronica / experimental / alternative / electropop
The electronic duo Clothing is the brainchild of Aakaash Israni and Ben Sterling, coming together from their previous, somewhat obscure projects. This album, though barely known, has already garnered more attention than all their previous three bands combined – a sort of supergroup from the world of unknowns. The duo took on all the compositional and instrumental responsibilities, inviting four different vocalists to sing in eight tracks: three women and one man. However, most of the songs are sung by just two, Amber Coffman from the indie-rock band Dirty Projectors and solo soul singer Elliot Skinner. The album stands out for its experimental edge, with the soundscape often seeming chaotic and unpredictable, framing the conforming and catchy vocal parts.
11. The Joy Hotel - Ceremony
🇬🇧 UK, Scotland / July 19 / 0,816 / 🌌
Spotify / Apple Music / Yandex Music
alternative rock / indie rock / post-punk revival
The Joy Hotel is a septet from Glasgow with their debut album "Ceremony". The band features two vocalists: Luke Boyce, who leans towards a post-punk revival style, and Emme Woods, who feels more like an alternative rock singer, not shying away from adding some raspiness or even venture into light harsh vocals. Their chemistry is remarkable, and their vocal duet is accompanied by a very diverse musical style, ranging from the 60s' The Beach Boys to the 90s' Radiohead. The album isn't just retro-styled but was recorded following important traditions – the band gathered for an intense 11-day session at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales, avoiding the use of overdubs and preferring choral support from all band members. The recording is a faithful homage to the chosen era and is a delight to listen to.
10. Daniele Perrino - The Soot Songs
🇮🇹 Italy / June 7 / 0,817 / 🌌
Spotify / Apple Music
blues / soul / noir jazz
Italian musician biographies rarely teem with high level of eventfulness, and Daniello Perrino’s story is no different. Over the past 20 years, he’s drifted through various tier-3 bands in his hometown of Vicenza, finding little success until he was ready to launch his solo debut, "The Soot Songs". No, this isn’t a tale of overnight fame - this album didn’t take off either, although it sounds quite respectable. Perrino’s musical inspirations lie in a gentle blend of Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen, with lyrics inspired by Charles Bukowski.
09. Bobbi Lu - Arrow, Four
🇧🇪 Belgium / 🇬🇧 UK, England / October 25 / 0,803 / 🌑
Spotify / Apple Music
electro-pop / indie rock / art pop
An October album on the list of the most interesting July releases - seems I’m jumping the gun for the first time, usually I just put off and move the album for the future. The reason is simple - in July, the artist released the EP “Tall Now”, and I saw that the full album was already out and decided to listen to it right away. I didn’t move it to October out of fear that it might not make it to the main top and end up just as a bonus, after all, July is one of the least musical months, unlike the fairly busy October. Lucy Ryan, whose real name is Bobbi Lu, doesn’t have outstanding vocal abilities, and she sensibly assists herself with autotune where she can't sing herself. But to compensate for all her shortcomings, she’s a stunning composer. Usually, for each month, I can only name a couple of albums that impress with their unconventional musical solutions and rare chord progressions. I listened to “Arrow, Four” with great interest because throughout all 10 songs and 34 minutes, she surprised and entertained me with various unexpected twists of harmony, at times reminiscent of the legendary “Kid A”. And I must protest that Lucy didn’t include the 11th song, “Zoo Interaction”, from the singles in her debut album. It’s a really cool track, and how could she not include it when it would have brought the total length to 37 minutes, which feels much more substantial than just under 34.
08. The Dip - Love Direction
🇺🇸 US, Washington / July 12 / 0,820 / 🌟
Spotify / Apple Music
funk / soul / pop
Mid-20th-century music had a special danceable flair, blending an easy, unpretentious rock ‘n’ roll sound with the vibrant energy of jazz big bands. This was before the generation of bands that wrote serious songs on deeply philosophical themes, instead of songs about love and heartbreak, happiness and longing. The Dip, a sextet, aims to bring back the essence of this bygone era, before the 60s’ psychedelic and progressive rock bands transformed music into political statements. They are now releasing their fourth album, marking a decade of their career.
07. The Buoys - Lustre
🇦🇺 Australia / July 12 / 0,824 / 🌙
Spotify / Apple Music
alternative rock
For five years, the Australian press has been buzzing about a new band with no album, yet they’ve been electrifying concertgoers with their wild energy. The Buoys frequently opened for prominent artists touring Australia, and often, their performances outshone the headliners. When asked about their debut album, they would joke that it was just around the corner. After numerous EP releases, each filled with unique tracks, they finally felt confident enough to produce a full-length album. The result is a dynamic, self-assured album, a testament to their hard work. Moreover, in February-March 2025, they will embark on their first European tour, with multiple shows in the UK and one each in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. If you have the opportunity to catch a show, don’t miss it - it’s truly worth experiencing.
06. Communicant - Harbor Song
🇺🇸 US, California / July 5 / 0,825 / 🌌
Spotify / Apple Music
psychedelic rock / alternative rock / baroque pop / chamber pop / indie rock
Three years ago, Communicant burst onto the music scene with their album “Sun Goes Out”, which felt like a spinoff of the Beatles’ “I Am The Walrus”. They didn’t sound like Californians at all, more like Brits whose GPS had gone haywire. Now it’s time for their second album, which hasn’t abandoned the Beatles influence but shifted from a “Magical Mystery Tour” vibe to something closer to “Rubber Soul”. There’s even their own version of "Michelle", americanized as "Annabella". Besides the Beatles, the second album draws inspiration from Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, and The Flaming Lips, making the sound more airy, blurred, and fluid compared to their more playful and bold debut.
05. Rita Payés - De camino al camino
🇪🇸 Spain, Catalonia / July 12 / 0,830 / 🌟
Spotify / Apple Music
latin jazz / bossa-nova / flamenco / chamber folk / world
Starting her career with cover songs, Rita Payés - both a singer and trombonist - has been making music since the age of eight. Then she transitioned to original compositions, releasing two acclaimed albums in 2019 and 2021 with Catalan flamenco guitarist Elisabeth Roma. These albums have become important works in the contemporary landscape of Spanish jazz, particularly noted for the tracks “Nunca vas a comprender” and “Algo contigo”. Her new album, “De camino al camino”, feels more like a solo endeavor, though many songs feature guest artists, including Elisabeth Roma on the final track. The album’s diversity is evident right from the first three songs: “El Cervatillo”, “Tantas Cosas”, and “Por qué Será” - each offering unique melodies. The lyrics, too, reflect themes of rootlessness, transience, and change. Let’s be honest, Spanish-language music can be exhausting due to the vast amount of primitive music generated by Latin America, making Rita Payés’s intricate and philosophical lyrics a breath of fresh air. The importance of Rita Payés's work cannot be overstated; there is nothing more vital to classical genres than the infusion of talented young blood, as culture lives on as long as it can recreate itself.
04. Griff - Vertigo
🇬🇧 UK, England / July 12 / 0,835 / 🌟
Spotify / Apple Music
pop / synthpop
Sarah Griffiths gained fame three years ago with the release of a 20-minute recording, when her song “Black Hole” became her first commercial success. This was followed by the Brit Awards 2021 Rising Star accolade and a lengthy period of working on her full-fledged debut album. Griff then achieved the incredible feat of recording an album of 14 songs in 13 studios around the world: Georgia, Tennessee, the Netherlands, Sweden, but mostly in London. The reasoning behind such intricate logistics remains unclear, particularly as she nearly achieved the “one song per studio” milestone. The album is beautifully produced, with all details in place, and Griff pays a lot of attention to crafting catchy synth sounds, making for a pleasant listen. However, she does lose some individuality in the process. Griff is rising as a mainstream star, supporting Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Ed Sheeran on tour, representing a seamless generational transition in pop music, though not as a groundbreaking new presence.
03. Official Hige Dandism - Rejoice
🇯🇵 Japan / July 24 / 0,835 / 🌟
Spotify / Apple Music
j-pop / pop rock
The band Official Hige Dandism, endearingly dubbed Higedan by their fans, first made their mark in 2018 with a debut album that received a lukewarm reception. They learned from their initial experience and returned a year later with their second album, “Traveler”, which immediately topped the Japanese charts. Since then, all their albums have become significant events in the country’s musical landscape, including their fourth album, “Rejoice”, released in 2024. A key element the band has introduced to their music is the slightly complex harmonies and chromatic touches that echo Broadway musicals. Each new album by Higedan is a delight to listen to because they offer more than just the sugary J-pop so popular in Asia. They wrap their music in a layer of creativity and cleverness, making some songs, like “Mixed Nuts”, sound like an apocryphal soundtrack to Cowboy Bebop.
02. Club Kuru - Before The World
🇬🇧 UK, England / July 9 / 0,850 / 🌙
Spotify / Apple Music
psychedelic rock
A decidedly old-fashioned album, saturated with an admiring love for Pink Floyd. This isn't the sound of the 90s bands that borrowed heavily from the spirit of Pink Floyd's music, only to sound quite distant. Nor is it from the era of their most iconic albums like TDSOTM or The Wall, and not even their later sound, but that original sound, somewhere between Ummagumma and Meddle, a period which in every sense is wonderful but rarely inspires contemporary bands. This makes the album “Before The World” somewhat unique. However, it should be noted that the album lacks songs with harder riffs, like when Pink Floyd released “Let There Be More Light” in 1968, which simultaneously foreshadowed the sounds of Tool and Placebo's “Taste in Men”. The eight tracks of Club Kuru are more atmospheric, blurry, and unfocused, with only the fifth track, “Morning Bird”, playing lightly with Floyd's ability to craft powerful compositions with rich bass grooves.
01. Cassandra Lewis - Lost in a Dream
🇺🇸 US, Oregon / July 12 / 0,861 / 🌑
Spotify / Apple Music
folk rock / country / psychedelic / soul
Two years ago, Cassandra Lewis unveiled her captivating debut album, which, from the very first track "Darlin'", announced itself as a great work where no single genre dominates, but their combination serves as a canvas for her original music. I would occasionally revisit that album, pondering if she might leave the music scene, given that her 2022 release flew under the radar, reaching only a fraction of the audience her new work has. Plus, her very American sound isn't everyone's cup of tea. Yet, against the odds, Cassandra didn't step away from music and recorded a new album in such a short time. This album is more advanced in composition and less saturated with americana and country styles, shifting closer to the style of Adele's albums, opening up the possibility of being heard in Europe.
Thank you for reading my digest. If you enjoy my work, you can support me with any level of paid subscription on patreon. This greatly helps in releasing future parts. Also, the bonus 16-30 places for the VII part also has a lot of interesting releases, featuring more great music.
