Summer Music Preview
(Courtesy of Interscope Records, ATO Records, RCA, Ultra Records and Drag City)
By Pauline Yang
July 3, 2014 4:57 p.m.
There’s no time like the summertime to catch up on new music, whether it’s at the beach in the sun, in the car stuck in typical L.A. traffic or just relaxing and enjoying the break. These summer album releases will help pass the time through a grueling workday, set the ambience for the calm evenings or pump up the mood for summer nights.
“Paula”
Robin Thicke
Interscope Records
July 1
After Robin Thicke’s controversial and unconventional single “Blurred Lines” climbed to the top of the music charts, Thicke’s personal life took a major turn, inspiring the music for his new album. After he and his wife, Paula Patton, separated, Thicke switched from objectifying women and blurring the lines of consent to begging his estranged wife to take him back in his unimaginatively named album “Paula.” There is a clear theme in the overall tone of the album that features tracks such as “Get Her Back.” Hopefully, despite the guilt-induced lyrics, there is a chance that Thicke will deliver another catchy R&B; hit.
“Remedy”
Old Crow Medicine Show
ATO Records
July 1
Since gaining recognition with its song “Wagon Wheel,” Old Crow Medicine Show has released a few albums with consistently catchy songs that have kept the attention of the group’s admirers. The band’s newest album, “Remedy,” coincides with the band’s summer tour, which includes a stop in Los Angeles on Sept. 18 and ends across the world in the Netherlands. With its signature banjo, harmonica, bass and country vocals, Old Crow Medicine Show will continue to capture its bluegrass and folk sound in this summer release.
“1000 Forms of Fear”
Sia
RCA/Monkey Puzzle Records
July 8
“1000 Forms of Fear” was written by Sia and Jesse Shatkin, a rising name in the music industry who also cowrote her hit song “Chandelier.” Sia’s album release was preluded by the music video for “Chandelier.” The video, which currently has more than 45 million views on YouTube, amplifies Sia’s powerful and somewhat haunting voice with contemporary dance moves, and shows that Sia’s talent goes beyond her collaboration with David Guetta on the popular track “Titanium.” Her solo work emphasizes her strong vocals and twisted pop sound. The catchy beats and somewhat provocative lyrics provokes high expectations for her album to come.
“Neon Future I”
Steve Aoki
Ultra Records
August 12
Los Angeles-based DJ Steve Aoki will release the first installment of his two-part album, which is said to feature well-known artists such as Fall Out Boy, will.i.am, Flux Pavilion and Waka Flocka Flame. Aoki, also founder of Dim Mak Records, seems to be moving in a direction beyond predictable remixes and song mashups. His personal style on remixes, collaborations and original tracks featuring popular musicians inspired his dance-party style, and his original club beats helped him gain his loyal fan base. His single “Rage the Night Away” featuring Waka Flocka Flame makes it evident that “Neon Future I” will uphold Aoki’s fans’ high expectations, making the album a staple for summer ragers and clubs.
“Manipulator”
Ty Segall
Drag City
August 26
Ty Segall, a Los Angeles-based indie musician, will release a 17-track album titled “Manipulator.” The teaser trailer for his new album features a glimpse of Segall in a full face of Coachella-esque makeup and an eccentric group of people to go along with his garage rock guitar and dragged out, lazy vocals that are expected on his new album. This is not surprising for Segall, who exudes a typical Los Angeles hip, experimental vibe. His album release will also launch the start of his tour, where he will be accompanied by his bandmates Mikal Cronin, Charlie Moothart and Emily Rose Epstein. Segall’s consistently moody songs set up the expectation that his newest album will be just as catchy and unconventional as his previous albums.
