It's been a while! Here's all of the tracks, albums and artists I've been loving over the past few months.
folklore by Taylor Swift
This is the first time I've listened to a Taylor Swift album in full. folklore is mature, stripped back and simply beautiful. Highlights include the 1, exile (feat. Bon Iver), mirrorball and betty.
THE GLOW by DMA'S
The third album from Aussie indie-rockers DMA's was a highly anticipated release for me. THE GLOW did not disappoint and is probably the trio's best body of work to date. Favourite tracks are Silver, Learning Alive and Hello Girlfriend.
Sad Girl Summer by Maisie Peters
Queen of sad girl bops Maisie Peters returns with Sad Girl Summer, the heartbroken girl's version of Hot Girl Summer. It's a Peters classic, filled with pretty melodies and witty lyrics.
Niko B
If, like the rest of us, you've become addicted to TikTok, then you've probably heard Niko B's infectiously cheeky track Who's That What's That. Like his first single, Mary Berry, the tune went viral and it has since racked up over 10 million streams. The 19-year-old is one of 2020's breakout stars - I'm interested in seeing what he does next.
Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers
Ah, Punisher. It's been one of my favourite releases of the year so far. Phoebe Bridgers understands the intricacies of life so well. Her music beautifully explains feelings you didn't even know you were experiencing. Kyoto, ICU and I Know The End are some of my favourites.
Lewis Street by J. Cole
The teaser to his next album (The Fall Off), Lewis Street was a double billed drop from rapper J. Cole. The Climb Back and Lion King On Ice are classic Cole with beats you feel deep in your soul and a flow smoother than the ice he raps about in Lion King On Ice.
Cautious Clay
Singer, songwriter and producer Cautious Clay, real name Joshua Karpeh, makes chilled out R&B hits. Kaleidoscopic beats paired with his warm vocals make his music a success. If Mac DeMarco and Khalid had a musical lovechild it would probably be Cautious Clay.
La Vie En Rose by Celeste
Celeste stuns in her gorgeous rendition of Édith Piaf's La Vie En Rose. Her vocals are as strong as ever when paired with the orchestral accompaniment we hear on this track.
Drifting by Cassia
Cassia once again provide a soundtrack for those hazy summer evenings with Drifting. It's a dreamy tune, loosely inspired by Christopher Nolan's mind-bending film Interstellar.
Savage Remix (feat. Beyoncé) by Megan Thee Stallion
The internet went, ahem, savage for Megan Thee Stallion's instantly recognisable track. It has its own TikTok dance routine and the remix featuring Beyoncé earned Megan her first number one.
no song without you by HONNE
I love anything HONNE release, so it's no surprise I've had no song without you on repeat since it dropped. The fourteen track record is insanely easy going, jam packed with beats that ensure you can't sit still. Highlights include la la la that's how it goes and gone gone gone.
Charli Adams
Charli Adams comes in the same vein as Phoebe Bridgers. She puts into words exactly how I'm feeling so beautifully. Backseat is my favourite track from her 2020 EP Good At Being Young.
Nowhere Near by Brooke Bentham
The three-track release from guitar grunge goddess Brooke Bentham is eerily beautiful. Nowhere Near is delicate and haunting and gives me major Mazzy Star vibes.
Chew On My Heart by James Bay
James Bay knows how to write a song and he knows how to do it well. Chew On My Heart is a declaration of love. It's Bay being vulnerable and opening up to his lover, unafraid of getting hurt accompanied by an upbeat melody.
Lockdown by Anderson .Paak
Inspired by the current climate of the world, Lockdown is Anderson .Paak's latest groove-filled single. It touches on the Black Lives Matter movement happening across the globe during coronavirus induced 'lockdown'. "Killed a man in broad day, might never see a trial / We just wanna break chains like slaves in the South" he raps, continuing to discuss the fallout of George Floyd's murder. Lockdown is the anthem of a movement.
I Wonder Why by Joesef and Loyle Carner
Joesef's production on his latest single with fan fave Loyle Carner is dreamy. I Wonder Why is a chilled out summer tune.