August Release Roundup
As we approach the end of the Summer months, it's been a very busy period for artists, festivals and audiences alike in what has been a full return to normality since 2019 - but it's good to be back. Here is a roundup of some of our favourite releases throughout August!
As we approach the end of the Summer months, it's been a very busy period for artists, festivals and audiences alike in what has been a full return to normality since 2019 - but it's good to be back. Here is a roundup of some of our favourite releases throughout August!
Danger Mouse & Black Thought - Cheat Codes
Producer/pioneer Danger Mouse, real name Brian Burton, has spent the best part of two decades expanding his portfolio in various genres - including work on the mammoth chart hit project Gnarls Barkley, Damon Albarn’s mastermind brainchild Gorillaz, California’s funk-rock ambassadors Red Hot Chili Peppers, and academic punk outfit Parquet Courts. He has now returned to his hip-hop roots, where he made his name remixing Jay Z tracks with Beatles songs in the early 2000’s, and has teamed up with frequent collaborator Black Thought to create a feature length album ‘Cheat Codes’. The album has been widely hailed as a piece of brilliance, with soulful samples and masterfully crafted beats which lay out the scene for cameos from the likes of Raekwon, Michael Kiwanuka and the late great MF Doom - making ‘Cheat Codes’ a front-running contender for album of the year.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Tippa My Tongue
Having already released an album this year, Red Hot Chili Peppers are back with a new single ‘Tippa My Tongue’, which proceeds in typical RHCP fashion; frontman Anthony Kiedis spits as many stunted syllables per bar of Flea’s busy bass riff, before breaking into an anthemic chorus, aided by the heavily missed guitarwork of John Frusciante. The band have been hard at work making up for lost time since the return of their lead guitarist and creative force in John - who almost single handedly taught the rest of the Chili Peppers how to utilise a great melody.
DMA’s - I Don't Need To Hide
DMA’s latest single ‘I Don’t Need To Hide' borrows quite heavily from elements of trance music, which works impressively well alongside singer Tommy’s euphoric vocals. It’s sure to be a staple track in upcoming shows for the Australian indie outfit, who haven’t released an album since 2020. Maybe that’s set to change?
Courting - Jumper
Liverpool four piece Courting have released the third song to feature on their highly anticipated debut album ‘Guitar Music’. Having gained attention over recent years for dry, witty lyricism and an entertaining sense of irony, ‘Jumper’ is their self described ‘pop moment’. A fun, Blur-esque rhythm carries the song as singer Sean Murphy tells a love story, littered with references to the quotidian realism of growing up together, getting a mortgage and doing the dishes.
Hot Chip - Freakout/Release
As their hit single ‘Over And Over’ suggests, London outfit Hot Chip are well known for their love of repetition in their music, and Freakout/Release makes great use of this element. It’s an entertaining floorfiller of a track that showcases Hot Chip’s expertise within the dance/rock/synth/pop style that made them their name in the 2000’s, and continue to thrive within today.
The Black Angels - Without A Trace
Forming in 2004, The Black Angels have stamped their name within the Psych Rock genre over time. ‘Without A Trace’ continues in this classic nature. A doomy, shoegaze chorus sits amongst the trademark fuzzed out undertones, that are seemingly ever-present in the Texas band’s output.
Broken Bells - Saturdays
The second song to feature the incredibly prolific Danger Mouse in this roundup is ‘Saturdays' from one of his countless side projects - Broken Bells. The track itself is a psyched out, bass driven flow of consciousness with a towering chorus from vocalist James Mercer (also singer of The Shins), showcasing the genius versatility of Danger Mouse, who in just this month has put out releases from two wildly different, yet equally brilliant projects.
Abraxas - Sunrise State (Of Mind)
‘Sunrise State (Of Mind)’ is the debut release from the musical project of Carolina Faruolo (Los Bitchos) and Danny Lee Blackwell (Night Beats). The track itself lives somewhere between calypso pop and a desert western film score. Lamenting, monologue-like vocals command their own territory over the interesting blend of styles, growing the anticipation for more music by the newly formed Abraxas.
Who did we miss? Let us know on social media if we didn't include any of your favourite releases across August.