Is it summer or fall? You decide.
This blog post is full of songs that remind us of summer, but it’s also full of almost gloomy autumnal music. It’s like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, but with new releases.
Local
Diego Kjelland, The Zoo
Speaking as a proud desert dweller, “The Zoo” makes me want to lean into the whole Missoulian vibe a little bit more. This doesn’t sound like an amateur project. It sounds fully-realized, with none of the tracks seeming repetitive or unoriginal.
New Albums
Taylor Swift, folklore
We could talk about this record for thousands of words and still have breath. Taylor Swift leaned into the cozy, autumn, find-me-in-the-woods vibes and she pulls it off expertly. “folklore” is full of songs that remind us of past loves and the stories we would hear family talking about as we secretly listened, hidden on the stairs.
Liza Anne, Bad Vacation
And then just as fast, Liza Anne reminds us that it’s still summer. This record is full of uber-vulnerable lyrics, ranging from broken relationships to the *joys* of therapy. Liza Anne is honest, so honest that it feels like it might kill her and set her free at the exact same time.
Fat Night, Live For Each Other
You know those parts in songs that are just SO good that you have to take a moment to appreciate it? Like you’d have it as your ringtone if you could? “Live For Each Other” is full of those moments. It’s jazzy and fun without sounding like it’s trying too hard.
Noble Son, Life Isn't Fun
Maybe the confusion and stress of living through 2020 are making us long for our childhood. We’d listen to an album exactly like this, look out the window of our mom’s minivan, and go home, have a snack, and watch daytime television. This record has the gentle quality of youth and wistfulness.
New Singles
Kylie Minogue, Say Something
“Say Something” is groovy and fun and everything we want from a summer track. Kylie Minogue leans into her signature voice, including those constant high notes, playing with electronic influences and backing. This is a dance track but mellowed down.
Dream Nails, Jillian
Love songs, but make it punk and about girls loving girls. Nice! “Jillian” is fun and the kind of song you can jump up and down to. Plus, it has all the parts of riot grrrl that we love. Fight the system, but make it flirty.
Couch Prints, Of Drawing
We’re not letting this be a summer full of sadness. We’re finding things that bring us joy and holding tight to those. But that doesn’t mean we don’t like listening to sad music. Luckily, this track doesn’t sound sad, despite the lyrics. It lets us jam, but it will also let us feel our feelings if we want to.
Johnny Dioxide, Red Turtle
We promise we feel things besides nostalgia. Maybe not this week, but in general. “Red Turtle” has a beachy, go-with-the-flow sort of vibe that makes it not only pleasant to listen to, but easy and almost soothing.
Assembled by music director Meghan Jonas