New releases to look out for in July

We’ve got you covered.

The best of a busy forthcoming bunch this month, and when to expect them.

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Moor Mother

Jazz Codes

(Anti—)

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Moor Mother returns this month with her latest album, Jazz Codes. Inspired by the poetry book of the same name, which includes dedications to jazz and blues musicians, the record sees her dabbling with elements of wordplay, free jazz, blues, soul, and hip-hop. It also features contributions from Jason Moran, Mary Lattimore, Irreversible Entanglements and more. – LR

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Wu-Lu

Loggerhead

(Warp)

Due: 8th July

Loggerhead is probably best summed up in the transition, on ‘South’, from Wu-Lu’s scream sent forth from the depths of rage to Lex Amor’s cool-as-you-like slide into her verse: this is an album full of contrasts, and it positively revels in them. There’s jazzy hip-hop breaks, scuzzy lo-fi guitar squalls, pysch excursions, and dub wind-ups. And none of it feels out of place. Listening feels like peering in on the most magnetic jam session you’ve ever seen. – WP

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Caterina Barbieri

Spirit Exit

(Light-Years)

Due: 8th July

Inspired by female philosophers, mystics and poets from across the ages, Caterina Barbieri retreated inwards to sculpt Spirit Exit. The first album to be fully written and recorded in her home studio, Barbieri took to her modular synth rig to weave the album’s tapestry of experimental electronics. – LR

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Black Midi

Hellfire

(Rough Trade)

Due: 15th July

The screeching guitar feedback from last year’s ‘John L’ barely seems to have dissipated, and yet, here are black midi with more to digest. Churning all things underworld, singer Geordie Greep says “I don’t believe in Hell, but all that old world folly is great for songs, I’ve always loved movies and anything else with a depiction of Hell.” Still the most lovable avant-weirdo virtuosos out there. – WP

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Kode9

Escapology

(Hyperdub)

Due: 15th July

Hyperdub honcho Kode9 returns to his own label for his first new album in seven years – Escapology. The soundtrack to his ongoing Astro-Darien project, which first emerged as a two-week A/V installation at London’s Corsica Studios in 2021, Escapology “reconfigures Astro-Darien’s tense, off-world atmospheres into slices of high-definition, asymmetric club rhythms.” – LR

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Lizzo

Special

(Atlantic)

Due: 15th July

Lizzo is back, and it’s about damn time. Over three years in construction, Lizzo wrote almost 170 songs before narrowing down to the 12 here. And she’s got worldly ambitions to match the scale: “These are songs about love,” she says, “I really believe that love for oneself and for others is what this world needs to be a better place.” – LR

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Lil Silva

Yesterday Is Heavy

(Nowhere Music Ltd.)

Due: 16th July

Producer and singer-songwriter Lil Silva drops a long-time-coming debut album, Yesterday Is Heavy, this month, courtesy of Nowhere Music Ltd. Over a decade in the making, Yesterday is Heavy features contributions from Sampha, Ghetts, Little Dragon, serpentwithfeet, Elmiene, Skiifall, and BADBADNOTGOOD. The Vinyl Factory is also releasing a limited edition 200g vinyl version of the album, featuring a hand-numbered sleeve, which you can pick up here. – LR

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Rafael Anton Irisarri

Agitas Al Sol

(Room40)

Due: 22nd July

Written as a companion to ambient/drone/noise composer Irissari’s 2019 meditation on the mental stresses caused by environmental change (Solastalgia), this collection, its title a cute anagram of that 2019 record, is the exhale. Suffocating arrays of synth and decay are switched out for a lighter touch – though, with Irissari, weight is all relative: this is still hefty stuff, all crackled and bruising. – WP

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Kuedo

Infinite Window

(Brainfeeder)

Due: 29th July

Jamie Teasdale circles back as Kuedo after a seven-year hiatus from solo output (he’s been scoring anime movies and fashions ads in the meantime) with Infinite Window. The penchant for Vangelis-esque synth work remains, as does the clatter of trap drums (see ‘Harlequin Hallway’) and his ear for a bit of drama. Worth every bit of the wait. – WP

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Florist

Florist

(Double Double Whammy)

Due: 29th July

Emily Sprague and co wind up a “decade-long journey of friendship and collaboration” and it sounds just as sweet as the description suggests. There are few things more calming than the wisps of Sprague’s vocals; ‘Red Bird Pt. 2 (Morning)’ might just be the gentlest thing you’ll hear this year. – WP

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Joe Armon-Jones & Mala

A Way Back

(Aquarii Records)

Due: 29th July

Dubstep titan Mala and UK jazz standard bearer Armon-Jones make for one of those perfect pairings that doesn’t seem obvious until it’s happening right in front of you. There are shades of Mala’s full-length Mirrors and …in Cuba projects here, while Armon-Jones’ instinctive piano playing provides the ideal foil to the rolling bass and beats. – WP

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Emeka Ogboh

6°30’33​.​372”N 3°22’0​.​66”E

(Danfotronics)

Due: 29th July

Nigerian sound and visual artist Emeka Ogboh explores the sounds of Lagos’ bus stops for his latest record. Focusing specifically on the city’s Ojuelegba bus station and its surroundings, Ogboh combines field recordings with drums, ambient techno, synths, and dub to craft this sonic ode to the neighbourhood. – LR