August was filled with standout music releases, from genre-defying albums to subtle evolutions from artists we already know and love. Whether it’s the breezy vibes of Ravyn Lenae, the visionary journey of Tinashe, or the emotional depth of beabadoobee, this month delivered something for everyone.
Bird’s Eye by Ravyn Lenae
Since April, Ravyn Lenae has been teasing Bird’s Eye. With singles like “Love Me Not” in April, “Love is Blind” in May, “Dream Girl” in June, and “One Wish” in July, the buildup has been slow but worth every minute. I’ve had each single one repeat and now, the full album is finally here.
With Bird’s Eye, she delivers an album where each of the four singles seamlessly fits into the larger project, but also shine as standalone tracks. The simplicity and ease of her collaborations with Childish Gambino (“One Wish”) and Ty Dolla Sign (“Dream Girl”) allows Ravyn to truly shine, showcasing the purity of her sound. Both features are subtle and restrained, and fit in perfectly— nothing more, nothing less.
Bird’s Eye just might be my album of the year for its cohesion, paired with the individual brilliance of every song. It’s a brilliant follow-up to 2022’s HYPNOS, and its versatility makes it an album for every season—breezy for spring, light for summer, cosy for fall, and warm enough for winter. I can’t wait to see her in concert this November!
Standout track
All of it. It’s such an addictive album, hard not to keep on repeat. It perfectly complements every season, and its cohesion makes it truly special.
Quantum Baby by Tinashe
Quantum Baby is visionary. It’s also Tinashe’s 7th album (if you’re counting). It’s the second part of her trilogy following last year’s BB/ANG3L (you already knew that, right?), the project is concise yet impactful, showcasing Tinashe’s creative evolution and her ability to keep us guessing.
In just 22 minutes, Quantum Baby solidifies Tinashe’s artistry. It goes beyond the infectious energy of summer’s “Nasty,” reminding us of the depth and versatility she’s been delivering for years. Pushing the boundaries of sound while staying grounded in its connection to BB/ANG3L, there’s a clear sonic thread Tinashe maintains with Quantum Baby, whilst managing to keep us guessing. You can sense that she has a grand vision for this trilogy, yet each release unfolds in a way that surprises and challenges expectations.
Standout Track:
Red Flags… feels like you’re in a vacuum—bare and raw, with no drums or unnecessary elements. Its stripped-back nature draws you in, making it one of the album’s most intimate and powerful moments.
ORQUÍDEAS PARTE 2 by Kali Uchis
Seven months after the release of ORQUIEDEAS, Kali Uchis delivers the deluxe edition with four new tracks, including a KAYTRANADA remix of “Young Rich & In Love.”
In a year brimming with releases, the familiarity of ORQUIDEAS feels comforting, yet Kali manages to keep it exciting. The album showcases her range and ability to float between genres—pop, R&B, reggaeton, and merengue—while effortlessly switching between English and Spanish. It’s an impressive display of her musical versatility and growth.
Like an orchid, Kali uniquely blends elegance and strength. Whether she’s revisiting the dreamy vibes of her Isolation era with “Heladito,” or bringing on her peers to elevate an already great song—like in “No Hay Le Parte 2” with Rauw Alejandro—Kali Uchis continues to bloom, showing how she flourishes in multiple genres.
Standout Tracks
Young Rich & In Love (KAYTRANADA Remix) —It’s hard not to move to this one. The remix builds on the greatness of the original, adding KAYTRANADA’s signature groove while maintaining the track’s infectious energy.
Dame Beso // Muévete — Without needing to understand every lyric, the vibe of this song is unmistakable. Its a two-part track that begins with a slow, yearning energy, but gradually shifts into an invitation to move and feel liberated. An exhilarating and fitting end to a stellar body of work.
Girl by Coco & Clair Clair
Coco & Clair Clair have returned with Girl, their follow-up to their 2022 debut Sexy. They’ve built on their signature style, delivering a fresh and brash project that perfectly captures the idgaf energy attributed to Gen Z.
The album blends DIY, bedroom pop vibes with a touch of sophistication, keeping it raw but polished. Their lyrics are sharp, sarcastic, and filled with humour, maintaining their idgaf attitude. Ironically, as they grow, their music becomes more refined, challenging the very nonchalance they champion—leading the charge in the idgaf war. Coco & Clair Clair are confident, detached and honestly, too cool to care.
Standout Track
Gorgeous International Really Lucky — Despite their blase energy, there’s a clear tension on this track. It sounds like it’s been plucked right from their minds, with lyrics like “I just wanna be enticing, tell me I’m enticing. That’s enough, okay, don’t even care if I’m enticing.” It encapsulates the push and pull between wanting validation and not to caring, a dynamic that’s both relatable and central to their style.
This is How Tomorrow Moves by beabadoobee
This is How Tomorrow Moves marks a shift in beabadoobee’s artistic trajectory. There’s a maturity here that reflects personal growth, a gradual move from angst to introspection since her 2020 debut Fake it Flowers. The album feels like a release—an emotional catharsis of sorts. Her diary-like storytelling remains intact, but there’s a clarity and intentionality that speaks to a more refined perspective.
Her journey is a clear testament to how alternative music is adaptive, spanning a wide range of emotions and sounds. It shows how the genre can evolve with the artist, moving from raw, unfiltered angst to a more thoughtful exploration of life, relationships, and self-awareness.
Standout Track
Beaches — When I saw beabadoobee at an acoustic intimate live show, she expressed how much this song means to her because of its sentiment. The line, “Don’t wait for the tide just to sink both your feet in,” feels like a powerful message about embracing life without hesitation. The song embodies the theme of living in the moment, perfectly capturing the emotional maturity and growth of this album.
Playing Next…
I don’t think the momentum of releases this year is going to slow down anytime soon, Doechii just released Alligator Bites Never Heal and I’m anticipating Laila!’s debut Gap Year following the success of “Like That!” and “Not My Problem”. Whilst it looks like there’s still plenty more to look forward to, there’s plenty to look back at.
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