Albums to look out for this August

Our most anticipated August releases.

Our top picks for August, including Burna Boy, Shamir and Girl Ray.

Read more: Upcoming vinyl releases 2023

Albums selected by VF’s Kelly Doherty and Becky Rogers.

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Girl Ray

Prestige

(Moshi Moshi Records)

Due: August 4

Girl Ray take on disco on their upcoming third album Prestige. Empowered by modern pop greats like Dua Lipa and the TV show Pose, the North London trio took to Atlanta to piece together their perfect fantasy clubland across Prestige’s infectious 12 tracks. Whiffs of the city’s hip-hop heritage land in “Hold Tight”’s drum loops, but it’s the perpetual ’70s groove that ties Prestige together. 7-minute-long closer “Give Me Your Love” offers pure optimism while echoing Hot Chip’s danceable neon melodies thanks to producers Al Doyle and Joe Goddard. Elsewhere, “Love Is Enough” pushes through with dirty basslines, “Space Song” puts a synth spin on the record’s overarching loved-up message and “Tell Me” is a direct “Saturday Night Fever” competition. Another exciting musical switch for Girl Ray.–BR

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Jacob Slater

Pinky, I Love You

(Communion Records)

Due: August 4

Wunderhorse’s Jacob Slater returns to his solo days with Pinky, I Love You. Far from Wunderhorse debut Cub’s Americana power-rock and his Dead Pretties punk beginnings, Pinky, I Love You sees Slater at his most vulnerable as he performs with just a singular electric guitar–leaving his stunning vocals at the forefront. These cuts are from the same writing period as Cub, penned at Slater’s sanctuary by the sea in Newquay, but “didn’t make sense with a band”. Now laid bare, these seven originals and one cover (a lush rendition of Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer’s “Moon River”) bring tranquillity awash with brutal honesty as he circumnavigates betrayal and heartbreak. Wunderhorse’s soaring guitar-rock was a fresh start for Jacob Slater, and though Pinky, I Love You’s minimalist outlook veers off course, it’s an impressive release from a musician putting themself first.–BR

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Nathan Micay

To The God Named Dream

(LuckyMe)

Due: August 4

Nathan Micay releases his first album since 2020’s The World I’m Going To Hell For. To The God Named Dream sees the Toronoto-born composer lean into his melodic instincts and take influence from the likes of Caroline Polachek and Taylor Swift following a COVID-19 lockdown period spent listening to pop. Combining this pop styling with the shapeshifting electronic Micay has built his name on, To The God Named Dream is bouncy electronic music that never takes itself too seriously whilst still being explorative. To add even more fun to the release, its vinyl packaging comes with a multiplayer roleplaying game!–KD

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Bonnie Prince Billy

Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You

(Domino)

Due: August 11

Long-standing troubadour Will Oldham has consistently delivered timeless entries into the folk canon under the Palace and Bonnie Prince Billy monikers for 30 years now. He still shows no signs of slowing down, however, as he releases his third album in three years–Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You–via Domino this month. Wrapped in a fireside shroud of warmth and narrative lyricism, the release examines community, both within its words and its creation by a team of local players in Louisville.–KD

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OSEES

Intercepted Message

(In The Red)

Due: August 18

California psych-rockers OSEES take a trip down proto-synth punk for their 27th album, Intercepted Message. Intercepted Message borders the aggression from their last release, A Foul Form, but in the form of frenzied melodic intricacies seen more in the Euro-punk scene. John Dwyer is on top form as always, touting the release as “a pop record for tired times” with the declaration: “suffering from Politic amnesia? Bored of AI-generated pop slop? Then this one is for you”. For a band with so many albums, a new direction is as thrilling as it is refreshing and OSEES are asserting themselves as top of the garage psych-punk ladder once again.–BR

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Jon Batiste

World Music Radio

(Verve)

Due: August 18

Fresh from working on Lana Del Rey’s Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter Jon Batiste returns with a 20-track album. Featuring a huge list of collaborators, including JID, Kenny G and Lil’ Wayne and Lana herself, World Music Radio is a concept album focused on “an interstellar travelling griot named Billy Bob Bo Bob” who traverses a universe of sounds. Ambitious concept aside, lead single “Calling Your Name” is a nostalgic slab of electro-pop catchiness and World Music Radio is set to have something for everyone.–KD

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Shamir

Homo Anxietatem

(Kill Rock Stars)

Due: August 18

Philadelphia-born all-rounder Shamir returns for a ninth studio album this month. As with each of Shamir’s albums to date, Homo Anxietatem sees Shamir shift gears once again for an alt-pop release on the iconic Kill Rock Stars. Homo Anxietatem, translated from Latin as anxious man, examines anxiety through rock anthems and intimate, confessional lyricism. One for dancing around your room to.–KD

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Becca Mancari

Left Hand

(Captured Tracks)

Due: August 25

Nashville musician Becca Mancari releases their third album via Captured Tracks. Featuring alternative icons Julien Baker, Zac Farro and Brittany Howard, Left Hand explores self-acceptance and queer identity. With snappy pop production, Left Hand is a sleek and self-assured release that shines through Mancari’s open lyricism and forthrightness.-KD

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SPELLLING

SPELLLING & The Mystery School

(Sacred Bones)

Due: August 25

SPELLLING, aka Chrystia Cabral, revisits her back catalogue with SPELLLING and the Mystery School this month. Cabral set out to “capture the ways that these songs have morphed” with the revitalised tracks playing into audience feedback from SPELLLING’s live performances more than their studio beginnings. “Under The Sun”, once a six-minute art-house trip on sophomore album Mazy Fly is now a shortened foray into haunting funk, while “Boys At School” swaps out piano-led confrontation and synth breakdowns for full orchestral outbursts and guitar solos galore.–BR

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Burna Boy

I Told Them…

(Atlantic)

Due: August 25

Global phenomenon and self-proclaimed Afro-fusion star Burna Boy returns for his seventh studio album, I Told Them…, this August. Heavily influenced by ’90s hip-hop, the record features collaborations with 21 Savage and Byron Messia among others. Burna Boy’s star has risen since his excellent 2018 major label debut Outside and I Told Them… is set to continue his astute hooky craft of blending Afrobeats, hip-hop and pop for a mass audience. Party anthems for the end of summer.–KD