Looking back on 2015, the year has been a great one for new music, and the supply doesn’t seem to be slowing down. The second half of the year kicks off with another impressive list of original music. In this issue of our on-going monthly feature, we have another round-up of new releases. Looking for some fresh summer tunes?!… Check out these 12 great recommendations of new albums in July.
If there was ever a time to discover new music, now would be it. This month includes a great debut release by Tunnel Vision and a hidden gem in Lefty at the Washout’s sophomore release. Collie Buddz will drop his new EP and Perro Bravo definitely crashed the month of July with an out of the blue album drop. Check the details of each release below and let us know which new release in July you’re most excited about!
If there are any albums we missed, drop them in the comments below or on our Facebook or Twitter.
Check out the Album Releases from prior months:
July 2015 Album Releases
Lefty At The Washout- That Just Happened
Release Date: July 1st
Five years is a long time, especially in the music industry where tastes change with the charts. For Columbia, South Carolina reggae rockers Lefty at the Washout, that is how long it has taken for them to follow up their debut record Forty To Five
. That interim has not affected their already polished sound. If anything, it has allowed the band to mature into a focused, funky, beat-driven presence
On July 1st, Lefty at the Washout officially released their sophomore album titled That Just Happened. Despite the title, this isn’t an off-the-cuff project. The ten new songs point to a different vibe than the first album, but the choice to again work with noted South Carolina producer Cory Plaugh at his Plaugh’s House studio means that the sound is still recognizable as Lefty’s. “I’ve produced a lot of records that I’m proud of, but this will remain as one of my all- time favorites that I’ve had the privilege to be a part of,” Plaugh says. “The sonic palette that is Lefty at the Washout is an awesome foundation to start with; from a producer and engineer’s perspective it is a whole lot of fun to be able to help create a painting with so many vibrant colors.”
You can pick up That Just Happened on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Perro Bravo – 3 On The Tree
Release Date: July 7th
Started by Sublime sound maestro, Miguel Happoldt and rounded out by Greg “Mudd” Lowther on drums and Mike Long on bass, Perro Bravo has been playing up and down the coast of California for about 4 years now. Veterans of the stage and studio, the trio is more focused on the grassroots approach to bringing music to the people, along with a DIY work-ethic in the studio. Their sound is a Southern California concoction as Miguel explains: “We like to try and sound like an old school skunk sampler live: Sublime, Long Beach Dub Allstars, Slightly Stoopid and The Ziggens all rolled into one. I love playing those songs because I have a deep connection to all of those groups. Surf, punk, dub, and rock, that’s the formula.”
Following the release of the Long Beach band’s debut record, Smoking Scorpion Tales, which dropped on 11/12/13, just less than two years later Perro Bravo is back with their latest studio effort. Titled 3 On The Tree. The new album features a total of 10 tracks packaged in artwork illustrated by the infamous Opie Ortiz. Released alongside the record is a Raised Fist Propaganda music video for the lead track “4 On The Floor”. The video was shot out in Sunset Beach, CA a neighboring community of Long Beach that Happoldt refers to as his second home and a place where his good friend Brad Nowell lived and surfed.
Preview or download the record from Perro Bravo’s Bandcamp page, or…
You can pick up 3 On The Tree on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Dubbest – Light Flashes
Release Date: July 7th
Out of Boston, the 5-piece experimental reggae-dub group known as Dubbest has dropped their new album, Light Flashes. Following 2012’s Avoid the Pier
, the band’s third independently released album contains 12 brand new tracks. Produced by Craig “Dubfader” Welsch of 10 Ft. Ganja Plant the album was recorded at Rear Window Studios in Brookline, MA. Light Flashes includes guest appearances by Elliot Martin of John Brown’s Body on backing vocals and 10 Ft. Ganja Plant’s Mark Berney, Jared Sims, and Brian Thomas on horns and Steve D on synthesizer.
You can pick up Light Flashes on Amazon by clicking HERE!
Tunnel Vision – Tunnel Vision
Release Date: July 7th
Out of San Clemente, CA, Tunnel Vision’s self-titled debut album hits music outlets this month via Whiskey Barrel Records. Featuring 15 tracks, the record was produced by Slightly Stoopid’s sound wiz, James Wisner, along with Anthony P Levato. Also aiding the band in their effort was Stoopid-saxophonist Daniel Delacruz and the band’s frequent collaborator, Angela Hunte who added vocals for the record’s lead track Citrus Skies. Mastered by Emily Lazar at The Lodge, the front cover of the record’s packaging was illustrated by the scene’s well-known artist, Shaun Logan, while the back cover was designed by Maris Johnson. Fans can preview the record on Youtube.
Read our review of the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up Tunnel Vision on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Jah Cure – The Cure
Release Date: July 10th
On July 10th, Jamaican-born singer Jah Cure released his seventh album entitled The Cure via his own Iyah Cure Productions and VP Records. An Artist with tracks in the ‘real roots,’ Caribbean pop and R&B formats, Jah Cure has become known for his hooks and street-poet verses in songs about urban struggles as well as romantic ballads of lovers rock. In keeping with the tradition of Jamaican reggae, his stories bridge social commentary with uplifting hopefulness.
In his new 13-track record Jah Cure showcases how this fusion has progressed. The song “Life We Live” features a modern dancehall anthem, while “Set Me Free” and “Show Love” come straight from the heart. The record also features an impressive cover of John Legend’s No. 1 hit, “All of Me.” The Cure is available digitally and in limited blue vinyl. Be sure to check out the music video for the record’s single ”Made In California.”
Read more about the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up The Cure on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Wilco – Star Wars
Release Date: July 16th
On a seemingly random Thursday night, July 16th to be exact, Wilco released, a new album. Entitled Star Wars the band’s ninth studio album dropped without any announcement or big-to-do. The first recorded work from the band in four years, word spread quickly of these 11 new original songs, before the veteran American rock group announced they were heading back on tour.
Consider it a gift from Wilco, says guitarist-singer Jeff Tweedy, who also called the release, “a jolt of joy: a fun surprise.” Explaining, Tweedy continues “Why release an album this way and why make it free? Well, the biggest reason, and I’m not sure we even need any others is that it felt like it would be fun. What’s more fun than a surprise!?”
Now available as a free download, for a limited time until until August 13th, the record is easy to access on the homepage of the band’s website, Wilcoworld. The record can be picked up on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play and can also be heard streaming on Spotify, Apple Music and Rdio. Digital downloads remain free until August 13. Physical copies in cd and vinyl are now available in the Wilco store for pre-order, to be released in August and November, respectively.
You can pick up Star Wars on the band’s website now for FREE, by clicking HERE.
Sublime With Rome – Sirens
Release Date: July 17th
Four years after their debut release, Sublime with Rome is back with their second full length album titled Sirens. Working with infamous studio engineer and producer Paul Leary, the bulk of the songs on Sirens were written by singer/guitarist Rome Ramirez, while Eric Wilson remains the one remaining active member of the original Sublime cast. While this all continues to bring the controversy of using the name ‘Sublime’ the group continues to tour past it, and now with the added infusion of new tracks from the first record with current drummer Josh Freese.
Packaged with cover art by renown surf artist Drew Brophy, 9 of the 11 album tracks was recorded live at Sonic Ranch Studios on vintage equipment using basic instruments in an effort to minimize any excessive production. The only songs on the new album not recorded live were the title track, “Sirens” and “House Party”. The album also includes a guest appearance by Dirty Heads and loose covers of Fishbone and Dennis Brown. Be sure to check out the music video for the album’s first single with “Wherever You Go.”
Read our review of the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up Sirens on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Various Artists – Reggae Gold 2015 Compilation
Release Date: July 17th
Since 1993, New York based label VP Records has released an annual compilation of the year’s top reggae, dancehall, and roots songs called Reggae Gold. This month the label releases their 22nd compilation album. Reggae Gold 2015, includes an eclectic mix of artists and musical styles that will appeal to reggae fans of all ages and preferences.
Reggae Gold 2015 is the ultimate reggae music compilation with the big hits and crucial crossover tracks from the past 12 months. The record features everyone from Magic, the year’s biggest pop-reggae band, Beres Hammond, a mainstay in most of Reggae Gold’s releases, and even Actor/Comedian turned singer Eddie Murphy, whose released a string of reggae singles over the past several years.
Another great addition to the compilation is the last song on the album with Inner Circle revisiting “Tenement Yard” featuring the legendary Jacob Miller with Jamaica’s top rising reggae artist, Chronixx. The Compilation is also far from being male-dominated, as it features songs from Etana, Toian, Ikaya, Queen Ifrica, and more. Compared to the 2014 release, Reggae Gold 2015 seems to have a wider variety of artists, and even one of the longer track lists in the compilation album’s history. The album will be available on CD, vinyl, and digital download. Preview Reggae Gold 2015 on the VP Records Soundcloud page.
Read more about the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up the Reggae Gold 2015 Compilation on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
The Revivalists – Men Amongst Mountains
Release Date: July 17th
After years of playing seemingly every music festival around, and touring all through the country, season after season, The Revivalist have become known for their blend of rock, R&B, soul, folk, and funk. The New Orleans based septet has become more than just any other funk/soul-rock group, the musicians posses a talent of varied instrumentation that when played together can create a live show with moving jams.
In 2013, after signing with New York based Wind-Up Records, the band set out to record their third album. In the meantime, Wind-Up reissued their most recent release City of Sound
in the spring of 2014 and it wound up hitting the lower reaches of the Billboard 200. Recorded meticulously straight to tape, after mush anticipation Men Amongst Mountains, the band’s third studio long player, arrived on July 17th, 2015. The Revivalist themselves make the announcement best:
“At times it seemed next to impossible. At times the ideas and notes seemed to flow like magic. Today, after thousands of hours of work by many many people, we release ‘Men Amongst Mountains’ to you… Today is a special day. For the last two years we have been pouring our hearts into making a record. A record that captures all of our struggles and triumphs. Something that shows how we, as seven people, come together to create an energy not possible apart. A record that a person who drives hours to stand in the rain for 90 minutes at a festival can take home as a token of our appreciation. A snapshot of what we call “The Revivalists”, as heard through microphones, mixers, and speakers. These 14 songs have traveled with us in vans, busses, planes and boats to all corners of this country and then beyond, and have ended up on disc, record, and cloud for you to play whenever you desire.”
You can pick up Men Amongst Mountain on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Galactic – Into The Deep
Release Date: July 17th
In May of 2015, Galactic announced a label deal with Provogue of the Mascot Label Group and a new album entitled Into the Deep. On July 17th the New Orleans funk/jazz/jamband Galactic released their first album on Provogue and tenth studio effort. In their twentieth year of exploring the musical possibilities that arise of the the group dynamic of Galactic, Ben Ellman, Robert Mercurio, Stanton Moore, Jeff Raines and Rich Vogel have created an album founded on elements of Galactic’s past, filtered through the lens of where they’re headed.
On Into the Deep the band draws inspiration from people and ideas that have long been close to the artists’ hearts and in turn, to the development of their sound. 11 Tracks produced and arranged by the band’s own Ellman and Mercurio, the LP features collaborations with artists they’ve made connections with over the past 20 years. Collaborators include the tracks on this record feature guest appearances by a range of vocalists including long-time collaborators Macy Gray, and Maggie Koerner, JJ Grey, Ryan Montbleau, David Shaw of The Revivalists, Brushy One String, soul singer Charm Taylor, and soul/R&B/gospel legend Mavis Staples. Be sure to preview the tracks on Youtube.
You can pick up Into The Deep on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Collie Buddz – Blue Dreamz EP
Release Date: July 24th
Available worldwide on July 24th is Collie Buddz’s new EP Blue Dreamz. Along with the title track the EP is said to feature five more tracks. The EP is just a teaser to the new Collie Buddz album due out later in 2015.
Taco & Da Mofos – Nocturnal Gold
Release Date: July 31st
The humorously named Taco & Da Mofos are a 5 piece reggae-rock group from Tennessee. The group, whose real names are kept hidden for your protection, consists of: Taco (Vocals/Guitar), Keela (Vocals/Production/Keys) Charlie Mofo (Lead Guitar), Reno (Drums), and Boggy (Bass). Since 2001, Taco & Da Mofos have been spreading their party ambiance to thousands of fans across the country, and are hoping to strike gold with their newest release.
Nocturnal Gold, dropping July 31st, is the bands most recent project. Containing 13 songs + 3 bonus tracks and features guest appearances by Howi Spangler of Ballyhoo! and Dirt Nasty. The group’s first release since 2013’s Suns of Beaches
, this is the band’s 5th release and nationally distributed album. Taco & Da Mofos best explains the sound of their upcoming release: “Although reggae rock is the main stay for our sound and is what drives our style, we always like to push boundaries with different sounds and make them our own. Adding styles from rap to heavy rock, ska, pop, and even a little country ‘ish’ on one track.” Be sure to check out the music videofor the record’s single ”One Night.”
Read our review of the album by clicking HERE
You can pick up Nocturnal Gold on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Article By: Aaron Solomon & Mike Patti