From dance floors to rock bars: the albums that shaped this summer

Summer came and passed, leaving in its wake a multitude of musical fragments. While I cherish criticism, particularly in music reviews, it's best not to hurt any soul.

Thus, I share here only a handful of my favourite recent releases. Let's begin with an album that swiftly became so influential that it defined the summer of 2024 on social media: Charli XCX's BRAT.  

Charli XCX – BRAT

Where to start? The first thing you might encounter (if you haven't yet lent your ears to this album) is the minimalist, brutalist, and 2000s-inspired low-effort cover. 

It appears tacky and kitsch, yet represents the album remarkably well. Sonically, this electro pop album integrates many old, fat synth basses and melodies combined for the most part with more modern drum kits and patterns.

Take, for instance, the Jersey Club Kick pattern on Club Classics, followed by some wobbly bass with a nice automation on the low-pass filter resonance. Interspersed between dance floor shaking bangers such as the viral 360 and Van Dutch, this rich album also contains numerous mellow songs. 

The excellent songs So I and Girl, So Confusing explore more meaningful themes like grief over loss and insecurity in relationships and bring with them emotionally charged melodies. BRAT is eclectic yet homogeneous as an idea, party-fuelled yet introspective. It redefines boundaries, combining elements from the present and past. 

BRAT is a statement and will stick to our minds for some time. I cannot wait for her follow-up album titled "Brat and It's Completely Different But Also Still Brat".

Staytuned for that one! 

Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk

With our next album, we take a slight departure towards a project with a different attitude. I discovered Magdalena Bay with their debut album three years ago when I first started university, and I absolutely loved it. 

The crisp production and catchy melodies made it one of my favourite pop albums of the year. So it was no surprise that I was very excited about their sophomore album release. Imaginal Disk takes a different turn from Mercurial World from the start. 

We encounter an ethereal aura combined with more textured and noisy drums, complemented by additional sound layers and psychedelic elements of texture, delays, and modulation.

While initially less catchy and entertaining, we discover an improvement in composition with more subtle variations and melodic elements added to fill the space. This opus is also more acoustic, leaning more towards neo-psychedelia than synthpop like its predecessor.

Some highlights include the amazing and emotional Cry for Me with its 80s vibe and melancholic melodies elevated by the added orchestration, and Death and Romance with its superbly constructed chorus where all elements complement each other so well.

Instrumentation and production on this album are top-notch, experimenting with sounds while remaining coherent from start to finish. 

Jack White – No Name

To finish off on a more rock-and-roll note, I thoroughly enjoyed No Name by Jack White. This album appeared out of nowhere, initially available only as a vinyl rip on YouTube. 

No Name transports listeners to an era they may have never experienced, brilliantly combining hard rock with bluesy undertones, all mixed as if it were created half a century ago. The album brims with energy and is incredibly fun to play. Its memorable riffs and revival atmosphere make No Name a true gem. 

While the songs were initially untitled, I'll refer to them using the Bandcamp naming for clarity. The opening track, Old Scratch Blues, kicks off the album spectacularly; very punk and bluesy with a simple yet great main riff. Jack White's voice fits perfectly for this type of vocal style. 

The following track maintains the high energy with a dirtier hard rock sound. The vocals on that track are full of feeling, and the raw energy makes it more impactful than if it were cleanly executed and mixed. Another highlight is Tonight (Was A Long Time Ago), with its AC/DC-esque vibe.

The interplay between guitar and drums builds tension effectively, making it one of the hardest-hitting tracks on the album. This release is a pure revival blockbuster that I could easily imagine playing in rock bars or serving as a soundtrack for classic action movies.

No Name showcases Jack White's ability to honour rock's roots while adding his unique touch. It's a testament to the enduring power of energetic, raw rock and roll. 

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I have many other albums, EPs, and releases I wish I could discuss further, but I believe these might be the most interesting and accessible. If I had to finish on a last note, I'd say that this summer 2024 was sooo Julia.  

Roux Magazine

Roux Magazine is made by students at the University of Luxembourg. We love their work, so we decided to team up with them and bring some of their articles to our audience as well. You can find all of their issues on Issuu.