ABC News Australia critics name the ten best albums of August
Music critics at ABC News Australia compiled a selection of the ten best albums of August. It includes new works by Phoebe Bridgers, Erykah Badu, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Mastodon and other artists. The review’s authors noted that the month was marked by long-awaited returns from renowned artists and the emergence of new voices.
From indie rock to electronic music
The list includes Phoebe Bridgers’ album Lost Weekend, which the reviewer called her most experimental and, at the same time, melodic work. The record was produced by Jack Antonoff, Alex G and Tony Berg, while the track I Can't Wait features vocals by Geese frontman Cameron Winter, credited as Son-John Johnson.
The joint album by Erykah Badu and The Alchemist, Before The World Blows, became their first collaboration. Steve Lacy, Thundercat, DRAM, Kamasi Washington, No ID and Westside Gunn took part in the recording. Critics drew attention to the combination of Badu’s vocals with The Alchemist’s dark, psychedelic hip-hop production.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard presented their 28th studio album, Alien Metal. The Melbourne collective focused on fast electronic music and working with a Eurorack modular synthesizer, which the musicians named Nathan. The release came after a 14-month break; previously, the band released five projects in a single year twice.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Debuts and heavy music
The selection also includes BLACKPRINT, the debut mixtape by Australian rapper Miss Kaninna. The article’s authors noted its anti-colonial themes, the punk energy of the production, and the combination of rapping and singing. Among other releases, they highlighted Grace Cummings’ Bloodhorse!, recorded with producer Jonathan Wilson, as well as Margaret Glaspy’s intimate and candid album I Am Both.
Trio Tiny Habits made the list with their second album Keepers, which combines three-part harmonies with pop, R&B, soft rock and tropical rhythms. Matty Healy of The 1975 appears on the track Anything He Was.
Soul, metal and rap
Mastodon presented their ninth album Marrow Deep, their first without co-founder, guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds. According to ABC News Australia, Hinds was fired from the band last year and was killed in a motorcycle accident several months later. Josh Homme, Geezer Butler, Joe Duplantier and João Nogueira took part in recording the album.
The list also includes the self-titled debut by The Womack Sisters, a trio comprising Kucha, Zeimani and BG Womack, produced by Daptone Records head Bosco Mann. The tenth release in the selection was Bunuba Baby by 20-year-old Australian rapper Kayps.
