After recovering from finals fatigue, writers at The Triton have prepared album recommendations for summer break. Here are our favorite new releases that we’ll be listening to this summer!
Way Back When by Louis Futon
Released: February 22, 2019
For fans of: Louis the Child, Opia, Whethan
With his debut album, Louis Futon truly delivers something special. This album contains such a wide variety of genres, that it feels wrong to classify it as electronic. Throughout the 14-track album, Louis Futon incorporates a great diversity in choices for artist features, including Ashe, DUCKWRTH, and Keiynan Lonsdale. His use of the piano, trumpet, and saxophone makes his work sound rich and vibrant. As a producer, Futon does a flawless job of layering sounds and creating an almost immersive environment with a song. It’s hard not to get lost in the shimmering soundscape of “Surreal” or the pulsating, rhythmic waves of “Restless Sea.” The clear jazz, R&B, and gospel influences in his music are refreshing and help him stand out in the electronic scene. Two of my other favorite tracks are “Rewind” and “Royal Blood.”
–Arun Dhingra
Amidst the Chaos by Sara Bareilles
Released: April 5, 2019
For fans of: Norah Jones, Melody Gardot, Sharon Van Etten
Amidst the Chaos was an anticipated album from singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles—a masterpiece composed of the simplest of elements: Bareilles’ signature piano thumping, hearty guitar strums, and a clean drumbeat. Its homely sound is fitting for its lyrical content, which provides the words of consolation. Its title encapsulates what the album truly embodies: a pocket of comfort for the listener as they go about their day dealing with quotidian tasks. Her velvety vocals disperse in effortless harmony, having an almost aromatic quality to them.
The album as a whole is more mellow than any of Bareilles’ previous works. My favorite slow and saccharine songs from the album are “Orpheus” and “Miss Simone.” Both are perfect tunes for unwinding after a long day, guided by the steady plucking of an acoustic guitar and enriched with Bareilles’ bluesy voice. She garnishes the composition with “Shiny,” a touching ode to her mother in the form of fleeting vignettes.
–Heather Lim
Dedicated by Carly Rae Jepsen
Released: May 17, 2019
For fans of: Annie, Robyn
Carly Rae Jepsen delivers with Dedicated. This time, she eschews her previous cast of pop and indie veterans (Shellback, Dev Hynes) from E•MO•TION in favor of a more eclectic production crew (John Hill, Patrik Berger). The end result remains satisfyingly and refreshingly Carly. Dedicated brings us experimental takes on her signature ‘80s synth-pop sound and songwriting construction. She waxes more maturely in her emotional depth, broadening her repertoire to cuttingly self-aware emotions of bittersweet self-love, casual codependence, and even jealousy.
This is the soundtrack of your next summer fling. Start with the vulnerable optimism of “Now That I Found You.” Experience the emotional rollercoaster of unrequited love with “I’ll Be Your Girl.” Listen to “Happy Not Knowing” when you’re in denial about your feelings for someone who you know reciprocates them but will emotionally destroy you. Move on—you’re more than your last relationship. Hold a “Party for One” and get back up. Bitterly weep at your next undefined, one-sided relationship, while swaying to “The Sound” and mouthing the hook to “Too Much.” Groove to “Right Words Wrong Time,” thinking about a failed missed connection. Choose your own adventure with Carly.
–Karen Liou
IGOR by Tyler, the Creator
Released: May 17, 2019
For fans of: Kanye West, Frank Ocean, SZA
Tyler, the Creator recently released what is arguably the year’s best album about love and heartbreak. IGOR is a departure from most of Okama’s previous music, featuring less rap and focusing on a love-triangle story arch. It follows the emotions felt from the onset of infatuation to the inevitable question of “are we still friends?” This album is an emotional rollercoaster, so I recommend taking a moment out of your day to dive into your first listen.
–Mo Al
Everythings for Sale by Boogie
Released: January 25, 2019
For fans of: J. Cole, 6LACK, J.I.D, Buddy
Three mixtapes and a 2017 deal with Eminem’s Shady Records later, Compton’s MC Boogie is finally getting the recognition he deserves. On Boogie’s debut album, Everythings for Sale, he tells the story of feeling disconnected, confused, and searching to find himself. He expresses this by battling his insecurities while simultaneously handling the rise in fame and success, which has presented itself as both a gift and a curse. At 29 years old, the rapper finds himself struggling with several different aspects of his life, such as self-realizations, being a father, maintaining real relationships with women, and weaving out the good in an industry that can sometimes bring out the worst in you. Boogie does an incredible job at painting an image of trying to find a connection between going through the trials and tribulations of growing up in a rougher part of Los Angeles and welcoming the glitz and glamour of “Hollywood life.” Regardless, he still pays homage to the city that made him the man he is today.
Artists 6LACK and Snoh Aalegra add a soothing and melancholic R&B layer to “Skydive II” and “Time,” providing a level of transparency in exploring the confusion of love and relationships. A boss of Boogie’s label and legend to the hip-hop community, Eminem, joins him on “Rainy Days” for a hard-hitting, modern hip-hop production. They come together to share their strong take on hip hop today and demonstrate that nothing can get in the way of them leaving their mark. Rapper J.I.D is featured on “Soho,” which provides a mix of bangin’ beats and drum breaks, in which they express their dislike of the fake lifestyles and relationships being forced on them within the limelight of the industry. The outro is slowed down with Boogie laying out bars of personal adversities to leave you thinking and questioning. Regardless of who you are and where you are in your life, Boogie’s messages will undoubtedly resonate with you. This album and Boogie are doing justice to hip hop as a whole.
–Ivana Cuk