This summer felt like an endless stretch of time, like an expansive desert stretching hazily into the distance. Days stretched before me and I lay languid and motionless in the heat, letting my mind drift away like the breeze. Nevertheless, as someone who can’t sit still for too long, I was soon pulled onto my feet by the promise of music! Be it playing guitar in the sunset, dancing at beach clubs or even listening to the birdsong in the morning, summer is the time for music. So, here are a few gems, both new and old, that help me sip the dregs of those golden halcyon days.
For jazz lovers, there’s no place like home. There’s a plethora of UK groups pioneering and evolving the genre in contemporary ways, including Michael Kiwanuka, Yussef Dayes, Emma-Jean Thackray, Moses Boyd, and SAULT, to name but a few. I highly recommend diving into the world of Nubya Gracie, who released her album ‘Odyssey’ on September 20th. In ‘Clarity’, her saxophone soars above the strings, blending modern and classical sounds in a captivating way. For more of her magic, listen to the sexy ‘La cumbia me esta llamando’ and the vibrant ‘Lost Kingdoms’. Ezra Collective have recently released yet another golden album, ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing’, a tribute to the beautiful art of dance. Yasmin Lacey’s warm, soulful melody in the title track contrasts with ‘Ajala’, where the eclectic quintet takes a funky stance on Nigerian music. The word Ajala is Yoruba slang for a person who can’t sit still, named after the famous journalist and world traveller Olabisi Ajala. The strong brass and drums pulse in a fiery rhythm that makes you want to tap your feet or maybe even dance a little…
For the summer roadtrippers and hikers, there’s no better genres than country and folk to help you connect to nature. Perhaps one of the most well-known artists in the field is Lana Del Rey, who released her tenth album ‘Lasso’ in September. However, my favourite song of hers has to be ‘Sweet Carolina’, the piano feeling like a return to home after a long time. The song acts as
an ode to her sisters, expressing their closeness and unconditional love for her. The Staves have released a new single ‘Waiting for the Joy’, a song arising from the period of isolation and tumultuous change in lockdown. The sister act have always had a unique talent for incredible harmonies, especially in the album ‘Dead & Born & Grown’, the ultimate soundtrack for long journeys. The album takes on many turns like a bendy road, with the soft ‘Gone Tomorrow’, the sultry ‘Pay Us No Mind’ and the warm ‘The Motherlode’. The album is infused with sunlight, strength and sensitivity.
Fortunately for the party animals, this summer has seen an explosion in electronic and house music. Some artists gained popularity after performing at festivals across the country. For instance, the house artist Barry Can’t Swim (who performed for SNAFU in Durham in 2022) made a splash at Wilderness in July. It’s the kind of house music that gets you out of your house and onto the dance floor. Listening to his track ‘Sunsleeper’, you can almost feel the heat of the sun on your skin and the wind in your hair. Edinburgh student Archie Holmes is another rising
star in the electronic scene, with his recent EP ‘Off-Center’ offering the perfect atmospheric backdrop for sunset parties. Similarly, Joy Orbison recently played at Houghton Hall and electrified the crowd with his new release ‘flex fm (freddit)’. For those who need a dose of chaos, Joy Orbison is performing at NX in Newcastle on November 11th with SNAFU – not one to miss!
By Tatty Anton Smith
