TGIF: The Most Exciting New Music Releases to Listen to in July 2020
Welcome to TGIF, our series in which our music insider Felicity Cain shares the most exciting new releases to listen to each month. From your favorite artists' latest projects to up-and-coming names you should know, we're here to keep your playlist feeling fresh.
Welcome back to another TGIF! We are officially halfway through 2020, which feels...weird. Just because summer might look a little different this year doesn’t mean we can’t have some great new music to listen to, from HONNE to Oliver Tree to The Naked and Famous. We’ve gathered the best new music to keep your summer fun, whether you’re spending your days sitting poolside, on the beach, or just hanging at home. Check out July’s hottest new music below.
Kuala Lumpur native Alextbh dropped his debut EP The Chase last Friday. The mostly self-written and produced EP is Alex’s first official body of work, and comes complete with a music video for the title track. His prior releases have amassed over 50 million global streams (including his 2016 track “Stoop So Low” which has garnered over 20 million streams alone), and he’s performed alongside artists like Khalid and Svedaliza. Stream The Chase today!
Singer-songwriter Kathryn Dean has dropped her latest single, “Friends (Don’t Wanna Be).” The 24-year-old has been releasing music since 2014, and originally made a name for herself when two of her singles were featured in Brazilian soap operas. She dropped her debut EP that same year and has since garnered over 100 million views on YouTube, 30 million of which were from her hit single, “Told You So.”
Last Friday, LoveLeo released his debut EP Look At This Mess I’ve Made. The 21-year-old son of actor John C. Reilly has amassed quite a musical following; his 2019 single “Boyfren” has garnered over 32 million Spotify streams and 10 million YouTube views, as well as going viral on TikTok. The eight-track EP comes with four music videos, all of which were co-directed by Leo. What are you waiting for? Look At This Mess I’ve Made dropped July 17th.
19-year-old Jasmine Thompson dropped a fresh new single, “Funny,” with Zedd last week which might just be the perfect song for your summer. Thompson has generated a solid fan base with almost 4 million monthly Spotify listeners and over three billion global streams. You’d be a fool not to keep her on your radar.
Baby Rose (aka Jasmine Rose) dropped her latest single “Marmot” earlier this month, as well as the rest of her EP, Golden Hour. The 25-year-old released her mixtape From Dust 'Til Dawn in 2017 followed by her debut album To Myself in 2019. She was featured on the Grammy-nominated Dreamville and J. Cole album Revenge of the Dreamers III on the track “Self Love.” Check out “Marmot” and Golden Hour!
Jesse McCartney graced our list in April, and now he’s back with the acoustic versions of his singles “Friends” and “Yours.” The LA-based singer/songwriter/actor kick-started his musical career with his debut album Beautiful Soul, which landed at 15 on the Billboard 200. His single “Leavin’” is certified Platinum, and “Beautiful Soul” is minted Gold. Check out McCartney’s acoustic singles today. Happy summer!
English electric-soul duo HONNE is dropping their latest mixtape today! Since they formed in 2014, HONNE has released two studio albums and five EPs, the most recent release being the album Love Me / Love Me Not in 2018. The duo has amassed over 1.2 billion global streams and they are back today with the 14-track No Song Without You mixtape. You’re welcome.
LA-based singer-songwriter Snoh Aalegra is dropping her new single “DYING 4 YOUR LOVE” later this month. The Persian singer released her debut album Feels in 2018, and her follow up album Ugh, Those Feels Again in 2019. Her single “I Want You Around” went to number 1 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart, and has over 35 million streams on Spotify. “DYING 4 YOUR LOVE” drops July 10th.
Singer-songwriter morgxn will be releasing his new single, “Wonder,” later this month. The alt/pop artist released his debut album Vital in May of 2018, and his EP vital : blue in January of 2019. Morgxn has toured with numerous artists, from Miike Snow to X Ambassadors to ARIZONA. His song “home” has amassed over 23 million streams on Spotify. “Wonder” is slated for release July 16th.
Provided there are no additional delays (fingers crossed!) Oliver Tree’s debut album, Ugly Is Beautiful, is set to drop later this month. Oliver Tree had delayed the album originally because of the pandemic, but decided to delay it again after the killing of George Floyd because he believed there were more important things to focus on. He’s released two previous EPs as Oliver Tree and has amassed over 4 million monthly Spotify listeners. Ugly Is Beautiful is slated for release on July 17th.
Looking for a new soundtrack for your summer? 10 years after releasing their debut album, Neon Trees is dropping their fourth album, I Can Feel You Forgetting Me. It’s been six years since their last album, and it’s the first LP since the band took a break in 2016. The new album is set to be released on July 24th.
The Naked and Famous are back, baby. It’s been a minute. The band released an acoustic compilation album, A Still Heart, in 2018, and their last studio album, Simple Forms, in 2016. Their debut album from 2010, Passive Me, Aggressive You, peaked at 91 on the 2011 US Billboard 200, and at 12 on the US Billboard Top Alternative Albums. Needless to say, I am grateful they are back in business. Recover is slated to drop July 24th.