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Next Week in Music | July 15-21 • 130 New Releases Headed Your Way

All the music you'll be adding to your playlist next week. And then some.

2019-07-14

Sure, it’s the middle of summer. But there are still more than 130 albums, EPs and singles being released next week. Mark your calendars and pre-order your favourites — but don’t blame me if things change at the last minute:

THE SHORT LIST

Iggy Azalea
In My Defense

It’s been five years since the Australian rapper released her debut album The New Classic. Even in hindsight, that title seems a bit presumptuous, though there’s no denying the album did make her a glogal superstar. Of course, it also sparked a massive backlash amid much talk of cultural appropriation. Since then, she’s had a series of career setbacks — cancelled tours, shelved albums, record-label changes. This week, we’ll finally see if any of it matters — or if she still does. Then again, who knows? Maybe she’ll pull the album at the last second and we’ll be right back where we started.

Beyonce
The Lion King: The Gift

THE PRESS RELEASE: “With The Lion King: The Gift album, Beyoncé curated a masterful recording, a robust soundscape bringing together some of her favorite artists with the most talented and important African artists of the day to both pay tribute to the iconic film and bring the authentic sounds of African music to the world. “This is sonic cinema,” said Beyoncé. “This is a new experience of storytelling. I wanted to do more than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the film. It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn’t one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afro Beat.” In planning and recording the album, the artists’ personal connection to the iconic film and its story was highly considered. “I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline,” she continued. “Each song was written to reflect the film’s storytelling that gives the listener a chance to imagine their own imagery, while listening to a new contemporary interpretation. It was important that the music was not only performed by the most interesting and talented artists but also produced by the best African producers. Authenticity and heart were important to me.”

Mike Love
12 Sides of Summer

THE PRESS RELEASE: “Mike continues to write and record music 57 years after his legendary career began. Mike’s new album, 12 Sides of Summer, celebrates a season treasured by so many around the world and will be a must-have on your Summer playlist. “12 Sides of Summer was such a fun album to create. I loved bringing a fresh vision to some of my favorite artists’ songs and Beach Boys’ classics, while pairing them with a few of my new original tracks. This is an album for the whole family to listen to as they celebrate the summer season and warmer days in the sun.”

Scott Stapp
The Space Between the Shadows

THE PRESS RELEASE: “The Space Between the Shadows is powered by Stapp’s introspective lyrics and his pitch perfect delivery that has consistently brought anthems of gratitude and optimism to music’s darker side. “This album comes at a time where I have empathy, instead of anger, for what the ‘boy’ in the video went through. My heart will always ache for him but as a man who’s had successes, failures, four children, and a lot of support, I now identify with the boy in the last frame who sees infinite possibilities on the horizon and he finally trusts that he never really walks alone. The album cover is related to that concept – a boy journeys within and emerges a man with stories to tell and lessons to share.” I’ve already reviewed this one: Read it HERE.

Sum 41
Order in Decline

THE PRESS RELEASE: “During three years of relentless touring surrounding the band’s massive comeback record 13 Voices, frontman Deryck Whibley was feverishly putting together song ideas that would eventually become Order In Decline. Within three weeks of returning home, the majority of the music for the new album was written and then it was time for lyrics. Unconsciously, Whibley saw lyrics reflecting his reactions to seeing the pervasive division, racism and hate around the world, even more so punctuated by the repulsive social and political turmoil invading his own home nations of the United States and Canada. “The last thing I wanted to do was write a social or political protest record, and Order In Decline is not that,” Whibley clarifies. Instead, Order and Decline is a burst of uninhibited feeling, a page out of his journal, a window into his soul that reflects on extremely personal and vulnerable events, because as he confesses, “It’s also very hard not to have feelings about everything that’s going on in the world.” I’ve also reviewed this one: Read it HERE.