Ten Badass Albums You Might’ve Missed in August

Just like the biggest part of Europe, this office took a break. I’m talking turquoise water. Sun that is so bright it can be annoying. I’m talking sand between your toes, and I’m talking about heat that makes you so sweaty it almost makes you feel more alive than ever (ironically). To cut it short: we were on vacation. Four well-deserved weeks of not checking our emails, ignoring unopened WhatsApp chats for days, and not even daring to take a look at social media or any other online platform. But unlike us, musicians seem to never sleep — or relax. While we were hanging out at the beach, some of our favourite artists, including Amaarae, Ethel Cain, Kaytranada, Blood Orange, or Dominic Fike quietly released new albums that talk about mountain-moving emotions, dark memories, freedom, economics, or simply love.

So naturally, once we were back in the office, we sat down, caught up with everything that has happened and selected ten of the best records that dropped in August for everyone who has been offline just like us. This is our way to spare you the internet chaos and to help you get back on track in today’s hustling and bustling music world before it’s too late. 

Let’s start with something strong. Although it’s been nearly a month since Amaarae dropped her latest album, Black Star, it’s simply too good to leave off our list: A captivating, vibrant blend of pop, R&B, and Afrobeats that embraces the singer-songwriter’s Ghanaian roots and calls out to anyone who’s ever felt different. It’s a bold celebration of personal freedom and sensuality — a powerful statement underscored by none other than icon Naomi Campbell, who lends her voice to the track ms60: “They call me a bitch. A villain. Controversial diva. No. I am the Black Star.”

Another must-hear album dropped on August 8: Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You by American singer-songwriter, model, and producer Ethel Cain. And no, it’s not about that Willoughby from Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. As a prequel to her acclaimed debut Preacher’s Daughter, this latest release dives into the teenage years of Cain’s central character and her bittersweet romance with a man named Willoughby. Staying true to her signature sound, Cain weaves together ambient textures, touches of contemporary folk and slowcore, all wrapped in melancholic Southern Gothic storytelling.

Montreal-raised producer Kaytranada has built a name for himself with his hazy, hypnotic house rhythms blended seamlessly with dynamic hip-hop beats. And his latest release, Ain’t No Damn Way!, delivers exactly that, and more. As he put it himself on Instagram: “Something to move to, something to groove to. Enjoy y’all.” The result? A mesmerising collection of tracks made to dance to, zone out to, focus with, or simply have a good time.

If there’s one artist who captures the emotions and longings of Gen Z like no other, it’s Conan Gray. In mid-August, the Texas-raised singer-songwriter released Wishbone, an album of twelve self-written tracks he’s been quietly working on over the past two years. The songs came together impulsively, born more out of a personal need than a plan — a way for Gray to finally see himself as part of a bigger picture. Drawing on ‘90s pop and alternative rock influences, the twenty-six-year-old has crafted a dreamy, deeply relatable soundtrack to our own lives. And who’s a better choice for the cover than Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s little Prince?

For many hip-hop fans, Earl Sweatshirt is nothing short of a legend. Since emerging in 2008, the Chicago-born rapper has been known for his unmistakable baritone, his dark, often experimental take on alt-rap and horrorcore, and his foundational role in the iconic Odd Future collective — alongside none other than Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean. While most of us were off on vacation in August, Earl quietly dropped his fifth studio album, Live Laugh Love: a rich, intricate journey full of unexpected twists and deeply layered, yet emotionally grounded lyrics.

Apparently, August 22nd was a big day for standout releases. On that day, U.S. musician Dominic Fike, known for his role as Elliot in HBO’s Euphoria and tracks like Babydoll, dropped Rocket, a collection of mellow yet captivating songs filled with soft beats and laid-back vibes. The album reflects on past regrets and offers a rare, intimate glimpse into Fike’s inner world. At the same time, the title Rocket is a nod to his son, whom he recently introduced to the world during his Lollapalooza set.

Sometimes, we all need something guileless, earnest, and invigorating in our lives — and that’s exactly what rising artist Sombr delivers with his debut album, I Barely Know Her. Spread across ten tracks, the album blends raw rock-pop energy with irresistibly catchy indie vibes, the kind that feel both honest and effortlessly viral. Whether you realise it or not, chances are you’ve already heard the standout track back to friends somewhere — it’s one of those songs that sticks with you, even after just one listen.

Hayley Williams is usually known as the badass frontwoman of Paramore, the band that helped shape the pop-punk scene, inspired artists like Olivia Rodrigo, and even opened for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. But now, after over twenty years in the game, the Mississippi-born artist has finally dropped a solo album.
Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party is a rare and inspiring manifest of emancipation. It’s her way of emotionally breaking free from a contract she signed at fifteen, one that used to hold her back creatively and left her feeling stuck in a system that didn’t serve her. With a mix of pop, emo, punk, and folk, the album channels two decades of rage, frustration, loneliness, and everything in between. Long story short: this album deserves a loud cheer, a raised glass, and definitely a click on the play button.

As an artist, you inevitably pour your experiences, emotions, and memories into your work. Dev Hynes, also known as Blood Orange, did this in an outstanding personal and moving way – creating his fifth studio album, Essex Honey, out of memory, grief, and reflection on his early life in England. He speaks openly about how music has healed him over time and how self-expression has strengthened him. Therefore, with this latest release, the now New York-based singer, songwriter, producer, and composer invites us to immerse ourselves in a world of soothing, nostalgic sounds — with nods to artists such as Elliott Smith and The Replacements.

When you look at the cover of CMAT’s new album, Euro-Country, there’s a lot to discover. A photo booth in the corner for example. A pair of scissors. The packaging of those ice cream sandwiches you eat at the public pool in summer. And at the centre of it all: a Euro coin and the Irish pop star herself rising from a water fountain. This colourful collage perfectly captures CMAT’s humorous, bubbly, and free-spirited energy, and reflects what the album is really about: cultural identity.
Blending pop, indie, electronic, and of course strong country elements, the songs explore themes from Ireland’s economic boom to the fallout of the 2008 financial crisis — sometimes critically, sometimes ironically. The meaning of the title is threefold by the way: Ireland as European country, the music genre CMAT mostly grew up with and the Euro coin as a symbol of capitalism.