Tom Burrows: I’ll level with you – I started a new job this month, and such a time of flux is not conducive to sitting down with new music.
The new album I listened to most was Brat by Charli XCX, which, after my initial suspicions that it was overrated, has now fully won me over. Sometimes something can be hyped to death and be a ubiquitous cultural sensation but also be decent, right? I still think singles ‘Club Classics’ and ‘Von Dutch’ are highlights, but album closer ‘365’ might be the most insane way to finish a commercial hit record this year – what a banger.
I also enjoyed the latest from Cassandra Jenkins, My Light, My Destroyer, which I’d been looking forward to for a while. Jenkins has this amazingly calm, serene presence which I find really captivating on record. ‘Delphinium Blue’, which simply must be influenced by Laurie Anderson, is my personal favourite. The chilly, cosmic atmosphere, coupled with choir-like backing vocals forms an incredible backdrop to delicate verses and a spoken refrain (“wash the windows, count the cash”). A space-eye view of the mundane. It’s one of the songs of the year and more people should hear it.
James Spearing: Two new tracks for you this month. First up, a new band I’m excited about – Dog Race. Their new tune is called ‘The Leader’. I haven’t a clue what it’s about, but I like it. If you weren’t sure about Dry Cleaning because of the lack of melodies, then they could be for you.
Second, there’s new music from Kelly Lee Owens, heralding singing to a new (and bigger) label, and a new album on the way. I almost daren’t say it, but it’s more mainstream sounding, yet still distinctly her own brand of emotional dance music. The big hands-in-the air moments are now accompanied by fat drops. I can’t wait for the tour announcement.
Fran Slater: Let’s be honest, the main thing I heard at Deer Shed Festival was my daughter shouting ‘I want a hot dog’, ‘Buy me new things’, or, as she did in the middle of Bombay Bicycle Club, ‘I need a poo.’
But there were some musical highlights, too. Dominie Hooper was great, and I expect big things from her – think This is the Kit meets Angel Olsen. I really enjoyed Pillow Queens, Blue Bendy, Kokoko, Lyr, and Lily Lyons, too.
But the biggest surprise for me was how much I enjoyed CMAT closing out the weekend. I’ve been somewhat nonplussed by them so far, but seeing the way the young crowd reacted to tracks like ‘Rent’ made me feel like they’ve really got something special going here. Will I get into the albums? Who knows. But on stage they were electric, and that’s enough for now.
Kate Burke: I’ve been living my best queer girl radio life this month. Late to the party with Chappelle Roan (as with Olivia Rodrigo – blaming my muso snob teenage years for my initial hesitation to join on a bandwagon, no matter how well deserved) – I’ve gone on a wee Spotify rabbithole bender or two and enjoyed all kinds of candyfloss pop, pop punk and the odd indie ditty. Blaming the recent good weather: when the sun shines I hiss in disapproval and slink deep to the shadows with a bit of Bright Eyes, but I’ve found myself casually bopping around gathering freckles, wearing *gasp!* denim shorts and wanting to break out my rollerskates. What came first, the month of pop music or the sudden aversion to misery?!
Raspberry Protocol’s ‘Hot Girl Summer’ absolutely got the ball rolling, an unapologetic pop rock ear worm with no discernible deeper meaning than spending a summer with a hot girl, “making shit up as I go” – and I look forward to listening to more of their songs, to find out if this was a one-off or if I can enjoy more of the same; both good prospects.
Does it count as being late to The Last Dinner Party if they’ve already played Glastonbury and have sold out the majority of their upcoming tour?! ‘Sinner’ and ‘Nothing Matters’ high on rotation at the moment.
On a slight sidestep from the bubblegum, Molly Martin has been a great find this year for me – based in Nashville, alt indie rock is backed by solid lyrics and a voice with incredible passion. I dare anyone who has spent time in the music industry, in bands, to listen to ‘I Know You Think That It’s Not You’ and not recognise a part of themselves in there somewhere.
Rick Larson: It was in the context of a very favorable review of Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts that I last mentioned Sarah Tudzin aka illuminati hotties. I stick by the comparison; Tudzin could be Rodrigo’s older, wiser, more jaded, and very cool sister. Her albums are snappy, but thoughtful. And fun. A new album approaches and Tudzin released the last single “The L” last week. Like the other three singles, it is a L.A. power/noise pop at its finest, taking a deserved place on the shelf in-between The Go-Go’s and The Muffs. I’m very looking forward to the full album this month.
Sam Atkins: This is a music website so I need to talk about the best music of July, but given how obsessed with the Paris Olympics I have become, the last few weeks have been very quiet for music in my house.
Instead I’ll shout out the most ridiculous run of live shows I think I’ve ever experienced. Seeing so many shows in the space of two weeks, including two weekends at London Hyde Park could have dulled the impact of these shows, but I loved every one.
The highlight surely Janelle Monáe, whose The Age of Pleasure album last year didn’t hit like I wanted to, but made for a truly dynamic and thrilling live show. Janelle is one of our best performers and this felt like her peak moment. Shout out to Avril Lavigne, whose Castlefield Bowl show was packed out like I’ve never seen it and Megan Thee Stallion who made up for the lacklustre turnout for an arena show by absolutely nailing the performance.
Those Hyde Park trips though, I’m not sure I’ll ever recover from watching Robbie Williams perform a Brit-Pop medly that included singing ‘Alright’ with Gaz Coombes and Parklife with Danny Dyer(!?!). And Kylie Minogue? What more can I say about that woman. A setlist that absolutely stunned me including her first performance of ‘Red Blooded Woman’ in 15 years. I was in awe and haven’t shut up about it since. A month of live music before a few more weeks of live sport for me.
Picky Bastards 