We may not have gotten a song of the summer, but we got plenty of great albums. You just have to know where to look.
Highlighted by an excellent three months of hip-hop, here are five brilliant projects to listen to while walking to classes, studying or just trying to relax.
“Lotus” by Little Simz
After a three-year break, British rapper Little Simz returned with plenty of heat. Lead singles like “Flood” set expectations high, and the full record shattered them. Simz curates a brilliant sonic world, resulting in some of the best rap instrumentals of the decade. You could take her lyrics off the record entirely and it would still be one of the best albums of the year.
But her lyrics might be the biggest highlight.
Tracks like “Enough” and “Blood” show Simz’s complete mastery of the art form, as she bounces effortlessly between humor and heartbreak. “Lotus” is an artist at the top of her game, flexing her creative muscles in ways only she can.
“NeverAlways” by The Band CAMINO
The Tennessee-based pop-rock three-piece released their first record since 2023, and it might be their most versatile. Tracks like “Pieces” and “Stupid Questions” personify the bright, guitar-anchored sound we expect. While “Limbo” has the band’s trademark rhythm, its writing is some of the most mature in their catalogue.
But the best moments are when they slow things down. “Can’t Go Back” is a beautiful, regretful ballad full of emotion. “Hates Me Yet (222)” is one of the band’s most vulnerable songs. While not perfect, “NeverAlways” is another step forward in The Band CAMINO’s artistic progression.
“no service” by sosocamo
North Carolina rapper sosocamo released his debut album in June, and based on this project, the sky truly is the limit. With clear influences from the likes of Future on the production side, sosocamo makes heavy use of piano to drive his beats.
His flows draw inspiration from rappers like Playboi Carti and Young Thug, with a sample of Carti’s “Go2DaMoon” even appearing on “keep steady.” The whole project has an undeniable bounce. If songs like “chronic,” “tele” and “soulless” are any indication, sosocamo is a name we’ll be hearing a lot more from in the near future.
“Alfredo 2” by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
A sequel to their 2020 collaboration “Alfredo,” rapper Freddie Gibbs and producer The Alchemist join forces to provide another instant classic. Gibbs’ laid-back delivery and effortless vocal pace pair perfectly with The Alchemist’s minimalist but detailed production.
Guest appearances from JID and Larry June fit right in, but the highlight is easily the Anderson .Paak anointed “Ensalada.” Gibbs’ verses push the instrumental to its limit, leading perfectly into Paak’s charismatic chorus. The three geniuses combine to create one of the best rap songs of the past several years, and the rest of the record is more of the same.
“Vanisher, Horizon Scraper” by Quadeca
This album is a genuine miracle. Just half a decade ago, Quadeca was seen as little more than a YouTube rapper. Now, he’s producing, arranging and writing one of the most ambitious auditory experiences of the decade.
Steeped in concept and mythology, “Vanisher, Horizon Scraper” is an incredibly layered and detailed work of art, and the verification of Quadeca as one of the most exciting musicians of the 2020s. Songs like “WAGING WAR” and “RUIN MY LIFE” see the Bay Area native diving into a baroque and indie pop direction, while tracks like “AT A TIME LIKE THIS” and “THUNDRRR” see him returning to his hip-hop roots.
This record has something for everyone. If you want gorgeous songwriting and instrumentation, go to “MONDAY.” If you want mind-blowing production, “CASPER” is your song. If you want a giant, moon-eating sea serpent performed by Danny Brown, “THE GREAT BAKUNAWA” is there for you. “Vanisher, Horizon Scraper” is an all-time great record, so hop on the train now before the rest of the world catches up.
