My Summer Sounds.
Issue 011: Albums to bump during Toni's birth season
Today is the longest day of the year, and you know what that means: it's the summer solstice! I can't even fathom that we're already starting this season, but I see it as a blessing in disguise. Summer is my season (s/o to my fellow cancers!) and when I thrive. A tiny top, low-rise bottoms, shades, bangles, and over-ear headphones become the everyday cocktail for going outside, and I wonder if anyone can guess what music is blasting through. Luckily for you guys, there are no secrets here.
For the past two summers, I was a bit of a party girl; by bit, I mean you would've had to pay me to stay inside. I've definitely calmed down, but I'm feeling the urge to step out and show out. I'm still in the defrosting stage, working on saying yes to more outings instead of no, and I know exactly what I want to hear to have a great time and feel even better. As my own personal DJ, I keep the momentum going for every task I do, and the impact of fitting music can make everything feel worthwhile or not as grueling. As you guys know, I love a good mix of genres; whether it's time to get ready for the club, ride bikes, sunbathe, or any other summer activity, I have the perfect soundtrack in mind for all memories this season.
Kelela, Raven (2023)
Off to a strong start and furthering my duties to spread the Kelela agenda, Raven is an all-encompassing progression to self-fulfillment from the perspective of a queer Black woman. The album is exceptionally soothing, with an aqueous auditory experience as a motif, a soft and yielding ambiance to synergize with the lyrical tug-of-war between conflicting emotions. Even the dance tracks are serene, featuring lulling vocals over pulsific production, a sensuous and dreamlike haze. Raven pulls you in like a tidal wave from the opening track and maintains a fluidity, with more and more shining moments of revelation taking over before the conclusion brings you back ashore and fully reborn. I adore Black eclecticism in music, exploration, and affirmation of the importance of our presence in spaces we're left excluded from. Raven serves as a powerful display of vulnerability, a healing agent where all parties (the creator and listeners alike) reach a breakthrough.
Toni’s fave track: “Sorbet.” RAVE:N, The Remixes was released this February. Check it out for another treat! Toni’s fave track: “Holier - JD. REID Remix feat. Shygirl”
Air, Moon Safari (1998)
Pillowy electronica, vocoder verses, and romance make Moon Safari a rather charming listen with tricks up its sleeve. Last summer, I would read in bed while listening to the instrumental tracks as sunlight from my windows cast warmth all over me. Moon Safari feels like walking on a cloud; although its adventurism and daring sounds give off the impression that the project is rough around the edges, it remains smooth. As a modern take on loungecore music, it's a very '90s body of work, technologically advanced, with a polished and pleasant sleazy aesthetic. With themes of light reeling in hopefulness and comfort, love, and childlike wonder, Moon Safari is galactic but still human; it's unexpectedly gentle in its nature and a melodic trip into the known, which is more manageable with the right mindset.
Toni’s fave track: “You Make It Easy”
Jill Scott, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Vol. 1 (2000)
I'm still coming off a high after seeing Jill Scott at the Philadelphia music festival, Roots Picnic, earlier this month. I finally heard songs from her debut album, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Vol. 1, with live arrangements, and it totally rewired my brain. As someone who loves love, I embrace the album's tenderness as a passionate love story guided by R&B and neo-soul rhythms, and spoken word. The style of Scott's execution is intimate and unjaded, similar to a chat with a confidant about relationships, the intensity of not-so-fleeting feelings, and how they affect our behavior; coincidentally, she actually imitates a conversation in verse two of "The Way." The album feels casual in the best sense, with a no-pressure introduction to Scott's essence as she embodies the girl-next-door mystique and welcomes her audience to kick it with her.
Toni’s fave track: “Do You Remember”
Janelle Monáe, The Age of Pleasure (2023)
A masterful use of horns will do it for me every time, and Janelle Monáe passes the test with flying colors and establishes the celebratory vibe that is The Age of Pleasure off rip. Cheeky anthems that ooze sex, freedom, and empowerment make the album a nonstop party. I live for her incorporation of legends such as Grace Jones, Nia Long, and Sister Nancy in tracks to add character and enrich her sound while giving them a much-deserved spotlight; I'm all for giving people their flowers as they live, and this is a prime example, especially on a project outpouring unbridled love. As someone who grew up in a reggae household, I find it refreshing to see Monáe use this sound, as well as afrobeat and soul elements that inspired her to make something fresh, joyous, and accepting. The Age of Pleasure promotes a freewheeling summer and life, a necessary and admired rawness.
Toni’s fave track: “Only Have Eyes 42”
Francis Hime, Passaredo (1976)
My interest in bossa nova and Brazilian jazz in spring has extended to this season, and it feels so right. I discussed exploring these genres in my second roundup post, and my fascination has only grown. Passaredo, meaning walkway, is a suitable title for an album surrounding the paths that ill-fated romance can whisk one to, especially when love still feels worthy of fighting for. The album also harmoniously ruminates on loneliness, the weight of ambition, and yearning. The polarity between Francis Hime's relaxing soft samba soundscape and heartrending lyrics is a beautiful balance; the sound itself could allude to happier themes when the reality is surprisingly contrasting. In three tracks on the album, Hime's wife, Olivia Hime, provides the woman's perspective on a cumbersome relationship and the troubles of life, and their words mesh together to produce a bittersweet narrative. Summer blues exist, but Passaredo's silkiness and breeziness call for embracing all emotions (even the ones we hate to feel) sincerely.
Toni’s fave track: “Trocando Em Miúdos”
Amaarae, Fountain Baby (2023)
My cancerian sister, Amaarae, delivered an instant classic, an album that's a confident amalgamation of genres that have influenced her style and allows for thrilling shifts in energy, all of which demand merited attention and appreciation. Sonically, Fountain Baby is heavy-hitting, stimulating, fun, and lyrically swaggering, lustful, and fearless. Afropop and R&B percussion are a proven match for fusing, and the result is shown in this body of work with great finesse. There's another addition to Amaarae's falsetto singing and rapping signature in Fountain Baby, and it's an alternative rock moment that I live for—the arrival of a new queer afro-punk presence at last. I love an artist who loudly lets everyone know what they're about; why be humble when you know you're IT? Amaarae leaves no space to be self-effacing and immerses listeners in a takeover, one where she is unmistakably the star.
Toni’s fave track: “Counterfeit.” The Clipse sample is crazyyy.
Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights (2022)
Gemini Rights dropped during my 21st birthday trip to Nola, and I can't help but think of summer with every listen. It's an unconventional post-breakup album with the framework of an emotional rollercoaster. Steve Lacy's sourness is expressed freely until the midpoint when he realizes the end of a relationship isn't where his story ends; it releases him and makes him available for all the love the universe may bring him. The biting portions are even playful at times, a release of rage that leaves you chuckling afterward but nonetheless comforted. Songs where Lacy's funk and psychedelic rock abilities are at the forefront remind me of Funkadelic's work: fuzzy echoes, smooth riffs, and frantic yet soulful vocal runs. I remember each song not being what I expected in the best way when I first heard this album, and I can still say that it's creative and electrifying. If I can't resist belting out lyrics even if I wanted to, that's what I call staying power.
Toni’s fave track: “Amber.” Honorable mention: “Buttons” ;)
Luther Vandross, Never Too Much (1981)
I feel like this one is self-explanatory, but I also have to let you know if you don't know. Luther Vandross's debut album starts with one of the most epic R&B songs, one that'll forever transcend time. His voice is simply like no other, effortlessly fault-free and suave. Never Too Much contains seven beloved tracks about want: wanting someone you already have, wanting someone to make their way back to you, and even wanting flings. They're all grandiose declarations of love, still delicate and light in delivery. The strings, bass, and rhythm arrangments are so crisp; it's one thing to have a powerhouse vocalist, but an excellent band will always make all components work as one, and that's precisely what Vandross had his hands on. Never Too Much is lively and warm, the true sounds of unregretting summer romances no matter their outcome.
Toni’s fave track: Is it not obvious? “Never Too Much.” Honorable mention: “You Stopped Loving Me”
Donna Summer, Live And More (1978)
Donna Summer's first live album, recorded at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, is a sensational night of disco and dashes of jazz accessible anytime for spurts of high energy and dance cravings. Summer's voice commands the room, quite identical to the studio version, a talent that not every performer possesses. My favorite part of live albums is hearing the crowd get their life: gasps when a song they love begins, cheers during impressive notes, and their voices blending with the artist's, a sweet display of gratitude from both sides. Being able to experience just a smidge of the energy from an exhilarating show with a setlist full of hits, surprising covers, and underrated deep cuts is a joy. While the event remains a special memory for attendees, I can also make it my own, and Donna Summer's expertise grants me that magic as Live And More serves as a glamorous '70s time capsule.
Toni’s fave track: “I Remember Yesterday”
Kaytranada, Timeless (2024)
I'm beaming at the mere thought of a Kaytranada summer, and it's time to put it into action. Timeless, his latest release, carries on his reputation as a gifted maker of vibrant R&B and hip-hop-infused dance music. Kaytranada's instrumentals can stand alone, but they are all solid foundations fit to take tracks to another level through collaboration. The album has promising features and a diverse range, with some new and others that have previously created memorable hits with Kaytra. Timeless sounds sharp, upbeat, and bass-heavy to the point of chilling reverberation. Kaytranada's vocals are another delight, as his skills are usually only highlighted in production; however, this project shows his ability to bring something fresh and well-executed to the table as a performer. The opening is a fanfare welcoming listeners to an incoming summery surge of ecstasy lasting over an hour. Timeless is the type of music that will have you back home at sunrise after a night out unblushingly.
Toni’s fave track: “Do 2 Me (feat. Anderson .Paak & SiR)”
Are we all feeling better prepared for this season now? I'm hoping these projects leave you intrigued and ready to try something new if you haven't already gotten into them. Close out Black Music Month with the majority of these picks, and keep up the celebration all summer! For some playlists with selections from these albums and others that may be exactly what you're looking for, head over to my Spotify account here.
Happy listening!
The way you write about music is so beautiful. Also, Amaarae>>
Happy summer solstice and thanks for the recs!!! I love the warmer months too and I sure have songs that are my typical summer faves that I blast wherever I go! Also, I’m a bossa nova girl too, thru and thru! Ultimate summer vibes!!!