We’re so back, baby! After a calmer month of music releases in July, August arrived with many new releases. It might be me, but each year I feel August has the best album releases, and this one was not the exception. Without further ado, let’s dive into what’s new in music.
Trigger warning for mental illness, addiction, self-harm, suicidal ideation, sexual assault, abuse.
SINGLES
Guess, Charli xcx feat Billie Eilish
Although it seems like this remix was around for a long time due to the repeated listening (for me, at least), it’s only been around for a month. In this summer seductive anthem, Billie adds a sapphic dimension to the already existing release. The graphic nature of the lyrics is what draws people in, but not everything is about the lyrics in music. The replayable aspect of the single is the musical production, with the beat dropping after one of the most bold verses in the history of remixes.
Lonely is the Muse, Halsey
Since releasing two singles, The End and Lucky, Halsey reveals the third single off their upcoming album named The Great Impersonator. This one caught my attention the most so far. Singing softly during the verses and whispering in a haunting manner, the emotion cumulates in the chorus where her voice shows how much she excels at the indie rock genre. The lyrics express anger and frustration towards your own art being pushed aside for someone else’s art. Being the inspiration for others when you’re artist is a double-edged sword. The song talks of trying to leave your mark on the world and failing, because no one pays attention to who inspired the art. At the same time, Halsey admits they can become who the artist needs and that might not help with the muse status.
Time Of My Life, Peach PRC
Peach PRC is a name to be remembered when it comes to pop. Her songs are catchy, but if you look further, you’ll find they’re full of meaning. Peach PRC is open about her past as a stripper, as well as being someone who struggles with addiction and trauma. In this single, she opens up about the past she’s looking to heal from. Even though she wasn’t doing well, it doesn’t negate how she was having fun. Part of the reasoning is when being faced with recovery, it’s not as easy to remember why they chose the path to recovery in the first place. It’s quite an interesting concept, because it was easier not to worry about the future while being miserable, but choosing healing is much more complicated.
Tears on the dancefloor, UPSAHL
UPSAHL has been coming up with dance pop anthems for the past years. Over the years, she’s been opening up about her coping mechanism of dancing and going out to avoid the sadness. This one is very much in sync with her theme, but this one processes the hurt in a more healthy way by leaving her hurt on the dancefloor and metaphorically letting go of it.
EP’S
Unaired, Hozier
Fans of the musician were surprised as Hozier announced yet another EP. After he released his album Unreal Unearth last year, followed by the Unheard EP earlier this year, we thought he’d disappear into the woods. However, it seems that Hozier has more to say this time. Unaired only has three songs. Nobody’s Soldier explores the glorification of war and capitalism. July finds hope in the hurt one experiences in the present, with the promise of summer just around the corner. That You Are embraces the devotion of loving someone so deeply that you desire to be with them all the time. Everything Hozier releases has meaning, and this EP is a treasure to behold.
Bonus: HEADSPLIT, Maggie Lindemann
Although the deluxe edition of the EP was in May, I only got around to listening this past month. This extended play almost reaches the status of album. Coming in with eleven songs, Maggie Lindemann explores her love through the lens of struggling with mental health. In the introducing track, who are you when you’re alone?, Maggie questions who she is when her partner isn’t around. Having to pretend everything is fine, finding comfort in their touch, and still breaking nonetheless. Maggie covers decode by Paramore in this EP, which switches the atmosphere of the project while still being sonically coherent. As someone who struggles with her self-worth and relationships, I’ve found the lyricism and musical production very realistic.
ALBUMS
Short ‘n Sweet, Sabrina Carpenter
We’ve already reviewed Sabrina Carpenter’s new album in detail in this article, but I couldn’t put it aside. Sabrina’s lyricism is tongue-in-cheek, playful, and fun. Releasing the album in summer is the right move, as it is full of pop anthems. It’s much more different from her previous album, emails i can’t send, which focused more on the heartbreak side. In this one, Sabrina knows her worth and she isn’t afraid to be vulnerable about her needs. Alongside the fun pop songs, there’s a few sad ones, such as Dumb & Poetic and Lie to Girls, which are more reminiscent of her previous era. Although this project didn’t resonate with me as much as the rest of Sabrina’s discography, there’s no denying it deserves all the praise as well.
Kissing Death, MOTHICA
MOTHICA’s new album is a healing succession to her discography. Having struggled with depression, addiction, self-harm and suicidal ideation, MOTHICA spoke about her journey with mental illness and the consequences of it since the beginning of her career. Kissing Death asks the question “How do you live when you don’t want to die anymore?” (Exit Plan, MOTHICA). The singer-songwriter refers to the romanticization of suicide, and the difficulty of getting out of depression when it’s all you’ve known. The narration of the album is impressive, telling a story and personifying Death. MOTHICA ventures outside of her usual alternative indie sound. The new tracks fit more into pop with alternative influences. It is a hopeful record, but at the same time reminiscent of the battle against mental illness and addiction.
Sugar Water, Maude Latour
Maude Latour’s debut album is everything and more. It’s complicated to put into words the feelings her music brings forth. The musical production is spacious, cosmic, unique and groundbreaking. As someone who listens to a lot of music (and trust me when I say a lot), there is no one who does indie pop music like Maude Latour. When it comes to the lyrics, they’re alternating between wholesome and heart-wrenching. The word ‘philosophical’ comes to mind for the writing. Death is mentioned several times in what should be considered a light-hearted project. We start the record happily with Officially Mine, but end the project with bittersweetness. The ending track, Bloom, explores the devotion towards someone despite having disagreements with the person and not knowing if you’re meant to be together. Sugar Water explores queer love, heartbreak, demise and bliss. This album deserves everyone’s attention.
Cacophony, Paris Paloma
Paris Paloma found her audience through social media. Her song labour became the anthem for female rage, and her debut album Cacophony is right up the same alley. The record has a mythical feel with the background of being a creature in the woods. Paris’ haunting voice guides us through these tales. She expresses the effects of patriarchy in different forms, such as abuse and sexual assault, but also the strength of getting back up afterwards. The dimension of the sound is grandiose and orchestral. Her songwriting is poetry, and deserves to be given the same attention as the production. Paris Paloma is set for great success, don’t wait too long to catch up.
If you’ve missed out on other summer releases, here check out July:
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