‘Neck Deep’ – Neck Deep

Although this album came out earlier this year in the dead of winter, it just screams summer. Going back to their roots, the Welsh quintet wrote and recorded their self-titled album in a warehouse just miles from where they grew up, without any collaborators. Packed with punchy drums, fast-paced guitar, and catchy lyrics, it feels as though Neck Deep have really honed in on their sound on this record, despite being nearly 10 years into their career. Quintessentially pop-punk, vocalist Ben Barlow sings about heartbreak, loneliness, childhood trauma, and even an alien invasion, à la Blink-182. My personal favorite however has to be, “thinking ’bout the future / It’s mental Kama Sutra,” off the track “Sort Yourself Out,” because we’ve all been there, haven’t we? I’ve been following Neck Deep for years now, but this album reminded me why I love them so much. Listening to it, I feel 16 again walking through the hallways of my high school, not nearly 25 years old and walking to my 9-5. High-energy, goofy, and so much fun, Neck Deep are truly back and better than ever.

-Leila

“The girl, so confusing version with lorde” – Charli xcx

To be completely honest, I’ve likely played this song an excessive number of times in the past 10 days. Every time I listen, I discover something new, much like peeling back the layers of a complex onion. This song is just so raw and vulnerable and you don’t usually find that on a club-coded song. Brat has become my summer playlist and one may say I’ll get sick of it soon, but with Charli XCX continually releasing remixes, I think I’ll be just fine.

-Sophie

‘Charm’ – Clairo

Just in time for the muggiest days of summer, Claire Cotrill has returned with Charm, a warm, bemused sigh of a pop record. Five years on from her bedroom-pop breakthrough Immunity, Clairo’s sound has settled into a stylish hybrid of sturdy piano pop, Laurel Canyon folk, and the sunnier side of 70s soul. Cotrill oozes an easy confidence over these 11 tracks, variations on wanting, being wanted, and wanting to be wanted. This is “vibe music” par excellence. “Juna”, in which Cotrill and producer Leon Michels cram a swirling synth motif, muted horns and a supper club piano line into a song that barely clears the three-minute mark, seems to be the album’s breakout hit. It’s for good reason; the arrangement lends a cheeky pop of color to Cotrill’s come-ons. “You know me and I might just know you too,” she coos, with a wink. Of course she shot the video at a wrestling match. The record’s called Charm, folks, and that’s exactly what it does.

-Eric

“Guess featuring Billie Eilish” – Charli xcx & Billie Eilish

Charli XCX has done it again, delivering the collaboration of the summer with her hit single “Guess,” featuring Billie Eilish. Following the release of both artists’ recent albums, they’ve cleverly referenced Billie’s single “LUNCH” with the playful lyric “eat it up for lunch, yeah, it’s so delicious.” It’s the perfect track to cap off my brat summer.

-Tricia

“Angel Of My Dreams” – JADE

I’ve had “Angel Of My Dreams” by JADE on repeat since its release in late July. You may know JADE from UK girl group Little Mix, who announced their hiatus in 2022. “Angel Of My Dreams” is JADE’s debut solo single, in which she delivers a message about her complex relationship with the music industry overtop huge swells of electronic beats, orchestral and grandiose to the listeners ear. JADE treats her first single as an attack, with a shape shifting hook, abrupt transitions, and a killer vocal performance. She lunges at Simon Cowell, and his now-defunct record label, Syco Music. JADE sings “You only care about money/ Sellin’ my soul to a psycho/ They say I’m so lucky/ Better act like you’re lucky, honey.” One thing is clear, JADE has emerged with a message that cannot be bottled up any longer; she will not be controlled by the pop machine. “Angel Of My Dreams” is an off-the-wall solo debut that reintroduces JADE as an unwavering pop mind, and one to keep an eye on. 

-Kea

“Don’t Get Me Started” & “The Slip” – The Smile

The Smile are back. You wouldn’t know it from the band themselves, but over the weekend a new 12” quietly surfaced at record shops worldwide. Soon enough, fan photos of the surprise release started appearing online. In the era of Spotify “pre-saves” and the instant gratification of “New Music Fridays”, running to my local record shop to get my hands on new music felt refreshing. The treasure hunt became a communal fan experience when I found the last copy in the bin, and rushed home to hit play. I’ve since listened to the two new tracks, “Don’t Get Me Started” and “The Slip”, on repeat.  Here’s to hoping the supergroup trio – consisting of Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood and Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner – have a full new album on the way. I’ll be first in line at the record shop. 

-Ryan

‘Chaos For The Fly’ – Grian Chatten

Fontaines D.C. are consistently dropping heavy hitters ahead of their new album, out later this month, but I keep finding myself playing lead singer Grian Chatten’s 2023 solo release Chaos For The Fly. It seems to have flown a bit under the radar. I think I have the almighty algorithm to thank for this one, and the more I listen to it, the more I love it. After a few months, it already feels like an album I’ve been listening to for years. Here’s hoping a solo tour pops up after the band hits the road later this year.

-Julian

“Slide” – SADBOI

Emerging Torontonian rapper, SADBOI is making waves with SLIDE, a standout single from her debut EP, Bare Chat.I first stumbled upon SADBOI’s baile-funk anthem during my daily doom-scrolling sessions. I’m a simple girl – the moment I hear a favela beat, my feet simply take over. Instantly captivated by the hometown rapper’s decision to cheekily sample Weston Road ‘baddie,’ Plushh (if you know, you know), this high-energy track is the go-to club banger for the ‘girlies.’ Laced with infectious carioca rhythms, SADBOI’s cut-throat lyrics and cocky flow will also have you belting, ‘Why you be lookin’ sexy? / Cause I am!’ From juggling an international roster of boys to unapologetically ‘talkin’ sh*t’ and shouting out locally-beloved underground DJ and friend, Jordior – ‘SLIDE’ is a must-listen that promises to be on repeat.

-Sameen

“Highjack” – A$AP Rocky

After 6 years of singles, features, and side quests, A$AP Rocky is set to drop his fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, on August 30th. I have had the lead single, “HIGHJACK” featuring Jessica Pratt, on repeat since its release last Friday. The track kicks off in true Rocky fashion with a boppy beat and classic rap themes of women, stunting, and, in my opinion, some subtle nods to recent rap beefs. It then transforms into something more experimental and genre-blending as Pratt, whom Rocky describes as a mix between Portishead and Stevie Nicks, takes over. From bopping to Rocky’s verses to swaying with Pratt’s soulful voice, this single is the perfect reintroduction to Rocky and hopefully only a taste of what’s to come.

-Danielle