OFM’s New Music: August
This month’s must-catch, new releases from the artists you already love and the musicians you need to know.
Calvin Harris
Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2
The consummate party starter returns with the perfect comedown record for the end of summer. Groovy and wistful in equal measure, Harris glitches his way through 14 tracks of beat-heavy pop with help from a curated list of all-star tastemakers like Young Thug, Pusha T, and (surprise, surprise) Justin Timberlake. Putting his own spin on a trend spearheaded by Timbaland, N.A.S.A, and Closure, Vol. 2 is full of future wedding DJ classics like “Potion,” which features Dua Lipa and Young Thug spicing up a bouncy yacht-rock and bongo-heavy production with their own brand of irresistible magic.
Releases August 5
Black Thought and Danger Mouse
Cheat Codes
Anyone who remembers the pleasant retro-rhythms of “The Seed 2.0” knows that Black Thought’s flow is a natural fit for a certain type of throwback production. Here, the legendary rapper teams up with the 50s-obsessed Danger Mouse for a bass-heavy ride that amplifies the sorrow and joy of Black Thought’s career through a juxtaposition similar to the one that helped him break out. Emotional and clever, tracks like “No Gold Teeth” and “Because” allow him to drop bars about growing up in 70s Philadelphia, while Danger Mouse’s swirling production samples create a vortex that takes you there.
Releases August 12
Demi Lovato
Holy Fvck
In all their damaged glory, the pop superstar returns with a comeback album only she could pull off. Injecting the DNA of L.A. hair metal, awful pop punk, and the goody balladeering of lite rock acts like Pink and Halsey into their own vibrant sound, Lovato kicks the lid off her proverbial coffin with rock ‘n’ roll relish. On lead single “SKIN OF MY TEETH,” they chew the lyrical scenery against a backdrop of power chorded glee not unlike the mall rock efforts heard on the latest MGK. However, as with any Lovato album, the drama is high; the lyrics are dark, and the listener will be dumbfounded by Lovato’s ability to find hope as she sticks the musical landing every time.
Releases August 19
YoungBoy Never Broke Again
The Last Slimeto
The rap game has grown to include space for fuckbois and sadbois, and with its trap beats and woozy production, YoungBoy’s debut splits the difference. As a young rapper, it’s easy to hear the influence of everyone from Roddy Riich to J Cole in his phrasing, but the blend of bravado and thoughtfulness is all his own. On the absolute bop “Don’t Rate Me,” he flexes his ability to dunk on a verse while bringing a singalong hook to the chorus. “Loner Life” is an in-your-feelings track that’s all heart. On his debut, one of the best in the game points a finger toward the future, and gives the finger to all who doubted him in an eclectic, exciting way.
Releases August 5
B’z
Highway X
A Japanese rock duo that combines the swagger of 80s cheese acts like Europe with the cool licks of 90s alt rock megastars, B’z are the perfect antidote to blase indie and saccharine pop. On songs like “Sleepless,” the band smoothly jumps from Rage Against The Machine stylings to a harmonized, catchy chorus that seems like it was made in a lab devoted to figuring out the best sounds to rock out to. There are no grandiose adjectives or gushing sentences to add. B’z are simply remarkable, and if you’re willing to hang with the sounds of loud music past, a hell of a lot of fun.
Releases August 10
Hot Chip
Freakout/Release
It’s the end of summer, and what seasonal list would be complete without a mention of Hot Chip? The auteurs that reinvigorated dance music are back with another excellent collection of disco-infused tracks to dance the pre-fall depression out too. “Down,” “Hard to be Funky,” and “The Evil that Men Do” are all perfect throwbacks to a time when Broken Bells were novel, and goat yoga wasn’t a thing yet. Put on your favorite pre-Warby glasses and your chicest monochrome outfit, and end this summer with a bang!
Releases August 19
