This post was updated July 15 at 11:03 a.m.
Upcoming music releases are setting up a bright summer.
As the temperature rises and listeners look for the perfect soundtrack, there is sure to be an album for any sunny occasion. This summer is bringing back some familiar faces and welcoming long-awaited releases packed with exciting elements, from clever lyricism to catchy beats.
Read on for the Daily Bruin’s warmly curated playlist.
“BITE ME” by Reneé Rapp
Reneé Rapp is set to sprinkle her punchy pop flavors onto the music menu this summer.
The singer-songwriter will release her sophomore LP “BITE ME on Aug. 1. The 12-track project marks her first full-length output since her 2023 debut “Snow Angel,” and features the return of past collaborator and Grammy-nominated producer Alexander 23. In the interim period between these albums, Rapp notably resumed the role of Regina George – which she performed on Broadway before the COVID-19 pandemic – for the 2024 film musical adaptation of “Mean Girls,” in addition to contributing to the film’s soundtrack.
“BITE ME” has been preceded so far by the release of “Leave Me Alone” in May and “Mad” last month. Both songs and their accompanying music videos further extend Rapp’s synth-pop soundscapes while delving into hedonistic lyrical themes about queer relationships. With each gritty visual, Rapp gives fans more memorable material to gobble up.
If “BITE ME” offers listeners more delectable earworms, then Rapp is likely to encourage audiences to devour her growing discography.
– Reid Sperisen.
[Related: “Concert preview: Upcoming performances across genres spring into Los Angeles”]
“Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You” by Ethel Cain
“Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You” is the second installment of Ethel Cain’s musical canon.
Ethel Cain will release her second studio album Aug. 8 with ten tracks, including her singles “Nettles” and “F*** Me Eyes.” The album centers around a fictional character named Willoughby Tucker, who served as a romantic figure in her previous album. According to Cain, the album will serve as a prequel to her debut album, “Preacher’s Daughter.”
Known for her breakout hit “American Teenager,” Cain writes alternative/indie songs reminiscent of Southern Gothic and ambient folk music. Her ethereal style lends itself to a cohesive narrative in which the artist uses fictional storylines to reflect her own life experiences. Fans of Cain have shown particular excitement for the ways in which the project will enhance the events of “Preacher’s Daughter.” Following the album’s release, Cain will embark on a North American and European tour from August to November.
In “Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You,” Cain will have listeners emotionally invested in the thematic progression of her artistry.
– Sydney Gaw.
“Wishbone” by Conan Gray
“Wishbone” will bring a sea of emotions.
Over a year since his last project, Conan Gray is returning with a new album Aug. 15, breaking his two-year release cycle. The LP will feature 12 tracks, including lead singles “This Song” and “Vodka Cranberry,” whose music videos tell the story of the relationship between Brando and Wilson – two fictional characters who form the album’s cinematic universe. Gray said he was able to reflect on his person throughout the initial 300 songs written for the project, with each song representing a different facet of himself.
Although the singer worked on the LP for the past two years, he said he recorded the songs with no intention of releasing them, but eventually realized the album came together naturally. In the album’s Instagram announcement, Gray alluded to the writing process, saying, “every song written by me in my bed in my pajamas,” an element reflected on the project’s upcoming tour. The visual aesthetic of the album portrays the artist as a sailor, striking a balance between the vulnerable lyrics with tale-like metaphors. Leading up to the new release, the songwriter has done multiple festival performances, incorporating the sailor theme in both costumes and stage design.
With his characteristic storytelling, Conan Gray explores identity as an ever-changing process.
– Ana Camila Burquez.
[Related: Music Video Roundup: Music videos that brightened, elevated spring’s final moments]
“Man’s Best Friend” by Sabrina Carpenter
After dominating last summer’s charts, Sabrina Carpenter is renewing her status as a “Main Pop Girl.”
The Grammy-winning musician’s seventh studio album, “Man’s Best Friend,” is slated to release Aug. 29. The LP arrives almost exactly a year after Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” catapulted her to superstardom with the smash hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” In an interview with Rolling Stone, Carpenter acknowledged the quick turnaround between the projects – occurring while she is still on tour for her previous album – and cited inspiration from the discographies of iconic artists such as Dolly Parton.
On June 5, Carpenter ushered in her new era with the album’s lead single, “Manchild.” Co-written with former collaborators Amy Allen and Jack Antonoff, the country-influenced track features Carpenter’s signature humor with punchy lines such as, “Why so sexy if so dumb? And how survive the Earth so long?” While the 26-year-old hasn’t revealed much more about the record’s tracklist or themes, it has already generated significant buzz, as “Manchild” debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
As she continues to amass global acclaim, Carpenter will likely be many listeners’ best friend this summer.
– Victoria Munck.
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