Albums to look out for in July

Mid-summer treats.

Our top picks for July, including J Hus, Aphex Twin, Georgia and more.

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

---

J Hus

Beautiful And Brutal Yard

(Black Butter)

Due: July 14

J Hus returns with his third album after a three-year break since the excellent Big Conspiracy. Beautiful And Brutal Yard is a 19-track project with a star-studded cast including Burna Boy, Popcaan and Jorja Smith. Early single “Who Told You” featuring Canadian superstar Drake is a certified summer anthem and the rest of the album is set to be a raucous trip through afrobeats, drill and R&B.–KD

---

Natural Wonder Beauty Concept

Natural Wonder Beauty Concept

(Mexican Summer)

Due: July 14

Ana Roxanne and DJ Python bring their respective ambient and experimental dance experience together for their first collaborative project as Natural Wonder Beauty Concept. Recorded across a series of sessions throughout 2022, Natural Wonder Beauty Concept is a step away from each of the pair’s day jobs with early singles showcasing a tender, ethereal approach to breaks and some first-time DJ Python singing. One of the most exciting electronic releases of the year.–KD

---

Snooper

Super Sn​õ​õ​per

(Third Man Records)

Due: July 14

Nashville punks Snõõper offer up their debut album Super Snõõper via Third Man Records this month. So fast-paced you might mistake this record for spinning at 45 RPM, it perfectly encapsulates the group’s onstage persona. It may come without their puppets, paper-mâché and endless list of visual art tricks, but Super Snõõper brings an outlandish energy that gradually visualises as you listen. A midway interlude of oddball samples from ice shakes and door creaks to breakbeats and tv recordings breaks up their high-octane blasts of new-wave punk with little interruption. A confident and exciting debut that captures Snõõper in a way many live bands miss.–BR

---

Mort Garson

Journey To The Moon And Beyond

(Sacred Bones)

Due: July 21

“The only sounds that go along with space travel are electronic ones,” Mort Garson said before his soundtrack for CBS News’ live broadcast of their 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing aired. The Moog master was right. In this next compilation from Sacred Bones, Journey To The Moon and Beyond revisits Garson’s archive to dig through more of his ambient electronica. Alongside his soundtrack work for Pat Rooney’s 1974 neo-noir blaxploitation film Black Eye and the 1970 National Geographic documentary Zoos of the World, Journey To The Moon and Beyond highlights previously unheard material and rarities.–BR

---

Various Artists

Barbie The Album

(Atlantic)

Due: July 21

Hey Barbie! Hi Ken! Mark Ronson curates the highly-anticipated soundtrack for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. With every single drop so far from the likes of Charli XCX, PinkPantheress, Karol G, Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, the new era of Barbie feels even more exciting. And it’s sample-galore with iconic cuts from Aqua and Toni Basil being among the first to be revealed. With the rest a surprise, Ronson has expertly crafted this genre-hopping mix of disco, hyper-pop, reggaeton and more while making it as lurid pink as possible. Welcome to the Barbie dreamhouse of pop royalty.–BR

---

Georgia

Euphoric

(Domino)

Due: July 28

Georgia returns for her third album following sleeper hit 2020’s Seeking Thrills. This time round, Georgia has teamed up with Rostam to produce 10 cuts of joyous electronic pop for Euphoric. Warm, dancefloor-ready anthems for the good times.–KD

---

Jessy Lanza

Love Hallucination

(Hyperdub)

Due: July 28

Jessy Lanza calls upon the services of Jacques Greene, Paul White, David Kennedy and more for her first album since moving to Los Angeles. Gliding between club-pop bangers and more low-key downtempo moments, Lanza presents her most fully realised offering yet.–KD

---

Aphex Twin

Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a room7 F760

(Warp)

Due: July 28

Richard D James, aka Aphex Twin, puts out his first release in five years. In typical Aphex Twin fashion, details on Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a room7 F760 are sparse but early cut “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f” is a stormer, moving between gentle airy drums and heady acid-tinged stretches. Aphex Twin releases are always an event and this is set to be no different.–KD

---

Beverly Glenn-Copeland

The Ones Ahead

(Transgressive Records)

Due: July 28

Beverly Glenn-Copeland releases his first album in 20 years this month. The Ones Ahead is Copeland’s first release since a recent re-sparked interest in his 1986 album Keyboard Fantasies has caused a career renaissance of sorts. The Ones Ahead calls upon ‘traditions from American jazz to Irish fiddle songs to West African percussion’ and is a wonderful opportunity to see a rediscovered talent shine.–KD

---

Bethany Cosentino

Natural Disaster

(Concord)

Due: July 28

Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino makes her solo debut with Natural Disaster. An exploration of “struggling with disaster in the every day and leaning on love to save yourself”, Natural Disaster is a chance for Cosentino to show who she is without the backing of Best Coast. The album’s latest single “Easy” accepts love with its stripped-back piano intro, highlighting her vulnerable, but open, side as she leaves behind the age-old trope that love songs need to centre around longing or heartbreak. Best Coast’s indie-pop may be on pause, but Natural Disaster is a necessary step forward for both Bethany Cosentino and us.–BR