Lately July 6

Recap of some missed releases!

Thanks so much for reading Lately. I’m working away each week combing the internet to find new music releases that speak to me, as well as sharing the music that I’ve been into lately. This week will be a bit different, nothing super compelling came out last week but there are some releases that I’ve missed over the past few months, so going to do a roundup of some of those!

Naomi Scott - F.I.G

Naomi Scott’s debut album was something I had seen around but never listened to, and it’s quite good! If you’re thinking “do I know the name Naomi Scott or is it just that common sounding,” it’s possible you know her from playing Jasmine in the recent heavily panned live action Aladdin remake. F.I.G is pop centric R&B that has some really great hooks and lovely layered vocals. There’s a big Blood Orange influence that’s coming through on a lot of these tracks in both production and vocals. There are a few misses here and there but overall I really like it’s vibe and have been coming back to it quite a bit!

Tiny Habits - Anything He Was/Right In Front Of Me

I liked about half of Tiny Habits debut album All For Something as it had some great ideas and nice vocal harmonies, but overall felt that those harmonies started to take over too much and it started to sound like an a capella group. I suppose it’s not that often you see a musical trio where all three members provide vocals, especially simultaneously, but it was just keeping them in the realm of their rise to fame which was by doing covers on Tiktok. However, these two new singles are great, and it’s not just because Matty Healy provides a verse on “Anything He Was” and we haven’t heard a peep out of that guy in years. It’s a really beautiful song, and I think part of it is because they really let one singer take the reigns a bit more, whereas in the past they would interchange a bit more freely in a way that didn’t serve the song. “Right In Front Of Me” is also great, I think my past judgement of them prevented me from listening to these when they came out but I’m actually really excited for their album.

Julia Jacklin - Get Away From Me (I Think I’ll Love You Soon)

New Julia Jacklin single that flew right past my radar a few weeks ago. Jacklin is best known for her sophomore album Crushing but I have a real fondness for her last record Pre Pleasure. This single is great, her vocals are really strong here and it’s just a fun straightforward song that is solid as a rock. Has a bit of Nada Surf to it which I like a lot, and glad to hear she’s got a new album The Gem out in September.

sadie - Better Angels

Haven’t the slightest clue who sadie is, but I came across the title track of her debut album from this year and I’ve been listening to it constantly. Sincere and addictive hyperpop, it feels very homemade (complimentary). I love this wave of young musicians who are making electronic music and often leaning into the more abstract corners of the genre, it all just feels so honest and expressive. I’ll be honest I don’t love this entire album but it’s still worth a listen even if just to arrive at its fantastic final track.

True Mountain Laurel - Angel So Bad

True Mountain Laurel is comprised of Haley Blais and Sam Lynch, the former of which has been on my radar since a friend introduced me to her album Wisecrack a couple years ago. This lead single for their upcoming album is a nice folk track with witty lyrics and a lovely surprise violin solo near the end. Not much to say on this one other than it’s just nice to listen to!