#38 - The Week of August 3 - 7

I don't say this often. This week's albums might be the collective best in the 38 weeks I have been sending this newsletter.

There is variety, eccentricity, talent, and art.

You'll notice three separate "Album Daily Favorite" tags. I try to keep that to one per week, but these albums were too good to let them be untagged.

Now, turn your speakers up, and enjoy!
- Henry

The Lion King: The Gift

Beyoncé

Genre: Pop/Hip-Hop
Release Date: July 31, 2020
Top Tracks: BLACK PARADE, BIGGER, OTHERSIDE, JA ARA E
Similar Artists: Rihanna, Solange

The Lion King: The Gift [Deluxe Edition] is Beyoncé flexing her muscle as the powerhouse queen of the industry that she is. Inspired by ideals set forth in the recent Lion King remake, she describes this album as a "love letter to Africa". It's manifested in the repetitive, mesmerizing lyrics, "Motherland, motherland, motherland, drip on me". It is part of how she feels her power, and expresses that on "MY POWER", singing, "they'll never take my power, my power, my power." But this album is the sum of the collective power of all who participated in its creation, and there are no shortage of collaborators. To portray the authentic African styles, Beyoncé partnered with some of the biggest names in African music (from all over the continent), and let them use their voices in their own way. As a result, this album feels like a triumph that will stay relevant for quite sometime. As a bonus, Beyoncé released an hour and twenty five minute visual album that is truly breathtaking.

Legends Never Die

Juice WRLD

Genre: Emo-Rap/Alternative
Release Date: July 10, 2020
Top Tracks: Come & Go, Wishing Well, Conversations, Titanic
Similar Artists: Post Malone, XXXTENTACION

Legends Never Die is the first posthumous album from Chicago based rapper/musician, Jarad Anthony Higgins (aka Juice WRLD). Let this statement sink in for a moment - this album was the biggest posthumous album release since Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. That is hip-hop royalty, and for Higgins, it shows that truly, Legends Never Die. Much of this album chronicles Higgins's struggle with anxiety. Even though it's apparent throughout that his "anxiety is the size of a planet", he makes you feel that he has learned to handle it. "There's a lot going on in my head right now, but I'll manage," he sings on "Titanic". True to his character, however, he wants to use his platform to teach others how evade what he has gone through. "I know my lyrics saved you. I know I helped you break through." he raps on "Man of the Year", amicably preparing others to fight on.

SUPERBLOOM

MisterWives

Genre: Indie Pop
Release Date: July 24, 2020
Top Tracks: find my way home, love me true, decide to be happy, SUPERBLOOM
Similar Artists: Grouplove, The Naked and Famous, Saint Motel

This is a heavyweight release from Misterwives - 19 tracks, over an hour of playback time, and a myriad of different sounds. At different points throughout, they could be singing the title soundtrack to an ‘80’s movie set in Malibu, or they could be sharing the studio with Mumford and Sons. They stick to their recipe of indie pop, folk-rock, and synth sounds, but all of the songs are unique in their own way, as apparent by the previous opposite leaning comparisons. At its core, this album is just fun. I can picture everyone dancing, chanting along with songs like “whywhywhy”, “love me true”, or “it’s my turn”. Just feeling that upbeat indie pop vibe. However, I couldn’t go without mentioning the track, “find my way home”. It is probably my favorite track from the album, with its layered chorus containing backing saxophone and body-vibrating synths. Make sure to not miss it.

The Two of Us

Yarbrough & Peoples

Genre: R&B/Funk
Release Date: January 1, 1980
Top Tracks: Don't Stop The Music, You're My Song, Third Degree
Similar Artists: Phyllis Hyman, The Gap Band

Yarbrough & Peoples came as quickly as they went. This is one of the rare occasions where a successful musical act retreats from the spotlight while still relatively new. They released 3 albums in 5 years, starting with The Two of Us in 1980. The lead track, "Don't Stop The Music" instantly climbed to the top of the charts with its visionary-esque funky synths that were lightyears ahead of its time. It is an instantly recognizable hit that has withstood the test of time. The rest of the album teeters closer to the R&B genre, with heartfelt love songs that we can only assume were written for the other duo member, as the two of them were married shortly after retiring.

Ugly is Beautiful

Oliver Tree

Genre: Alternative
Release Date: July 17, 2020
Top Tracks: Again & Again, Bury Me Alive, Cash Machine
Similar Artists: bbno$, lil aaron

I don’t know if a cover has ever fit an album more perfectly than for Ugly is Beautiful. Oliver Tree is an enigma, but surprisingly, this cover makes tremendous sense. Sitting comfortably with pink balloons, his signature bowl cut, and bell bottom jeans, Tree’s face has a vindictive look against the fiery backdrop. Contrast that with his innocent and playful mix of clothing and aesthetic, and who knows what to think? During “Joke’s On You!”, it’s impossible to not visualize this cover, as it’s exactly the sound I would picture playing in the background while the fire rages. As if the cover didn’t solidify the point, Tree’s music is as exciting as can be. Nothing sounds the same, each track is new, different, and unconventional. Some will be thrown off by this, but for those who can appreciate the creativity, it is a gem.

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Album Daily - Legends Never Die

The Lion King: The Gift

Beyoncé

Legends Never Die

Juice WRLD

SUPERBLOOM

MisterWives

The Two of Us

Yarbrough & Peoples

Ugly is Beautiful

Oliver Tree

Referrals = Rewards

Spread the word and get prizes in return

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Brightest Blue

Upside Down 2020

To Know Without Knowing

Work Hard and Be Nice

Love, Death & Dancing

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