Music of the Sun: 2015’s Most Wanted Summer Albums

The clocks have sprung forward, the shorts have come out and public transport has started to smell funny – it’s clear to see that Britain’s countdown to summer is well and truly on its way. And as happens each year when we enter the season of barbeques and day-drinking, the sounds on the radio have begun to shift and the tunes that will soundtrack our memories for years to come have begun to emerge. So as the excitement builds for beer gardens and cramped Ryanair flights, let’s list the albums we are most looking forward to in the coming months, and our favourite cuts off the artists' last sets:

Major Lazer – Peace is the Mission (June 1^st)

2013’s Free the Universe was one of the year’s most pleasant surprises. Diplo and co. one-upped their debut with a wholly individual album, taking the best from the worlds of post-dubstep, dancehall and pop music and combining it to make a shimmering, star-studded extravaganza. Calling on artists from all corners of the globe made for some unlikely collaborations and unexpected moments – Ezra of Vampire Weekend playing reggae balladeer on ‘Jessica’ being one of the highlights. Two albums deep and therefore now with an established sound, it may be harder for the trio to keep us guessing on the upcoming Peace is the Mission, but the lead single ‘Lean On’ is already gearing up to feature on every DJ’s summer set this season. With that June 1^st release date swiftly approaching, it seems only fair to take the time to revisit the anthemic ‘Get Free’.

Kanye West – So Help Me God (TBC)

In hindsight, it seems foolish to have thought that the one and only Kanye West would follow up his epic magnus opus, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, with anything other than the jagged, metallic sounds of Yeezus. As the Chicago rapper became increasingly inspired by art and architecture, it seems his new creative outlets manifested their influence in the minimalist yet abrasive instrumentation, and allowed him to share his thoughts on politics, race and fashion in a true punk and non-commercial manner. With only two official singles and next to no promotion, Kanye made an album of obscure samples, inconsistent tempos and intricate production that will be remembered not for commercial success, but rather for its significance as a statement piece by one of Hip Hop’s biggest-selling artists. From what has been heard so far, So Help Me God hints towards a more conventional approach from Kanye while retaining some of the edge that was found on its predecessor. ‘Blood on the Leaves’ is a prime example from Yeezus where West mixed the old with the new, using a Billie Holliday civil rights lament to put his former conquests on blast over a thunderous TNGHT sample.

Rihanna - #R8 (Official Title and Release Date TBC)

On 2012’s Unapologetic (yes, it really has been that long), Rihanna offered up her strongest set to date, selecting more mature and moody pop and R&B cuts over the radio fodder which oversaturated Talk That Talk. As her most cohesive album since Rated R, the Bad Gal played to her strengths, contributed more to the songwriting than ever before, and presented the boldest aesthetic we have seen from her yet. One standout moment, ‘No Love Allowed’, a Reggae-fusion Diplo production relying on a sparse bassline and raw vocals, was a pleasant reminder of the unique space the Bajan star holds in the today’s popworld – and here’s hoping she exploits that to an even greater extent on the as-yet-untitled, yet already ubiquitous, #R8.

Florence + the Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (May 29^th)

Following on almost 4 years after the critically-acclaimed Ceremonials, the anticipation for Florence’s third album has been nothing but high. Considering the last album campaign saw the collective take the momentum of the first album to new heights, with universal success including Grammy nominations and a world tour, both fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see what lies next for the ever-evolving indie-rockers. Miss Welch herself has promised her most personal LP so far, inspired by a tumultuous year-long break, and judging by the preceding singles it seems she has managed to incorporate soulful honesty into the band’s much-loved idiosyncrasies. One similarly introspective ballad from Ceremonials was ‘Breaking Down’, a song about the plight of depression handled with a subtlety not previously showcased on Lungs.

Frank Ocean – Boys Don’t Cry (July)

Frank Ocean was one of the top contenders for golden child of 2012 when his long-awaited Channel Orange finally hit stores. Not one to regularly interact with the public through media other than his music, his online statement clarifying the sexuality of the album’s muse found Ocean hailed as a figurehead for progress in the stereotypically homophobic and hyper-masculine arena of Hip Hop and R&B. Furthermore, aside from all of that publicity on the sidelines, the album itself lived up to the hype, formally introducing us to a highly-stylized singer-songwriter with a penchant for using elaborate description to paint scenes of glamorous lifestyles and emotional conflict. Though not a commercial blockbuster, the project’s status as a critical darling is undeniable, making the stakes high for this sophomore effort. Camp Ocean has been decidedly mum since the last album campaign finished, bar a couple of songs uploaded to his Tumblr last year, but with the artist seeming so sure in his craft, Boys Don’t Cry appears set for glory. Now, take a moment to envision the California sun and practice your best Valley Girl impression as you listen to Channel Orange fan-favourite ‘Super Rich Kids’.