June is filled with new releases for any playlist

June has been another month of epic releases from all across the music scene, giving every type of listener a new track to jam along to. Whether you’ve been listening to SZA’s “The Weekend” or St. Vincent’s “New York,” new music has been very easy to find this month. Here are some noteworthy albums that have been released in June that you should add to your playlist.  

“Grateful” by DJ Khaled

Although I am quickly getting sick of hearing the typical DJ Khaled intro of “We the best music” and “Another one,” his new album makes it worth it. With tracks that vary in sound from hip-hop, rap and dance pop, this album is the perfect party playlist.

His collaboration with Jay Z and Beyoncé, “Shining” (which is ironically 4 minutes and 44 seconds long), is the soundtrack to any pregame or summertime workout.  

“Wild Thoughts” brings together Latin-style guitar picking with a simple beat in the backdrop and the vocal stylings of Rihanna and Bryson Tiller. The track, which is at the top of the charts, is a track to dance to.

Overall, this album is full of collaborations with the industry’s heavy-weights and deserves a full listen.

“Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1” by Calvin Harris

Electronic dance music artist Calvin Harris is ushering in a new era of EDM with his new album, “Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1.”

The album itself is full of top-notch collaborations with artists across the whole music spectrum, with Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, Frank Ocean and more. With each track and collaboration, Harris alters the sound of the song to cater to the style and specialties of each artist.

“Holiday,” a collaboration with rap legend Snoop Dogg, John Legend and Takeoff is a great blend of old-school rap, rhythm and blues and modern hip-hop.

However, his shameless use of auto-tune for his track with Nicki Minaj, “Skrt On Me,” brings the song back to the early ’00s — and not in a good way.

Harris’ album brings the listener’s attention back to well-executed EDM music, which has been dominated by the unoriginally poppy sound of The Chainsmokers.

“LANY” by LANY

For fans of alternative pop bands like The 1975, check out Los Angeles-based band LANY’s self-titled album. In an era of music over-run with heavily produced tracks, LANY brings the focus back to smooth, clean instrumentals and gentle vocals that produce a swoon-worthy album.

The album has an even variation of upbeat tracks that have a pop-like psychedelic vibe and slower, more somber tunes to sway along to. “So, Soo Pretty,” a fully instrumental track, is so mesmerizing that it doesn’t need to be accompanied by lyrics.

“Pancakes” has an echo of the song that adds an emotional depth to the nostalgic breakup song that all listeners can resonate with. Frontman Paul Klein effortlessly sings, “Pick up the phone, I swear to god, I miss you/ I love the way you sound when it’s dark outside.”

“Tampa,” which resonates with anyone going through a life crisis, has a lyrical repetition that would be lackluster in most songs with such a somber tempo. But when matched with Klein’s vocals and soft instrumentals, the song works.   

Often when artists add too many layers to their songs when producing, an aspect of the song is overshadowed — whether it’s the vocals, lyrics or instrumentals. However, LANY has carefully curated each song.

The simplicity of this album is what makes LANY so deserving of a spot on your playlist