Music of the Month : Summer Edition! | Zafira
Hi!
It’s been so so so so so so long since I’ve done a music of the month I miss doing them! But I’m back and they’ll definitely be a monthly thing from September onwards so keep an eye out for them. I’ve decided to change this one up a little bit where I talk about everything that’s getting me in the summer mood. Prepare yourself, this about to be a bit of a hefty post.
OMAR APOLLO - friends
Ever since I heard Amor Malo a few months ago I don’t think I’ve gone a single day without listening to Omar Apollo. His voice is exactly what you need after a long day. It feels like a nice, long , warm hug and I’m not even a hug type of person but I love him.
He recently released a new album earlier this summer called ‘Friends’ and it’s amazing. It’s a perfect balance between uplifting and sad love songs. My current faves on the album are ‘Hearing Your Voice’, ‘Friends’ and ‘Kickback’ but honestly, I love them all. I like that each song has a different vibe, this isn’t one of those albums where everything sounds the same. Each song has a different mood to it, they all make you feel a different way.
2. Mac demarco -here comes the cowboy
Along with 99% of the human population, I’ve started this weird fascination for all things cowboy. I don’t know whether it’s because of Old Town Road or what but cowboys are totally in for this summer.
If I’m completely honest with you, I can’t say this is my favourite Mac album, it’s nothing like 2 or Salad Days but there’s a few gems that I’ve had on repeat ever since it came out. ‘All of Yesterdays’ is probs one of all time faves. It’s very mellow and nostalgic. I think we all feel a little extra nostalgic during the summer so this is nice for when you’re having one of those days.
I’m also a big fan of ‘K’, ‘Nobody’ and obviously ‘Hey Cowgirl’ which is currently my favourite thing to sing very loudly in the shower.
3. STICKY FINGERS
I’ve been listening to Sticky Fingers for forever. I feel like they’re a band I’ll listen to when I’m 40 and married and have about 15 kids. They’re super chill and their music instantly puts a smile of my face. They’re just really warm and so good and I’d be more than happy to listen to them for many lifetimes.
There’s one song that screams summer to me which is ‘Liquorlip Loaded Gun’. I think it might be because the first time I listened to it a few years ago, I distinctly remember it being the middle of summer. It’s also because of the lyrics and pretty much everything about it. I remember listening to this on repeat for an entire month last year. I’m probably going to do the same this summer. It puts me in the greatest of moods.
ALSO, I adore the album cover it’s the best thing ever.
4. JADEN SMITH -ERYS
I haven’t really listened to Jaden ever since SYRE because a lot of his music sounds very very similar which gets a little boring and repetitive after a while. But, I gave ERYS a chance and I'm a big fan.
I like what he did with ‘P I N K’ where each letter of the word is a different song, it’s the same as what he did in SYRE with ‘B L U E’ and I loved it. Some other favourites of mine are ‘Fire Dept’, ‘Summertime in Paris’ with Willow which is the cutest and ‘Blackout’ which is the calmest song ever. Super super chill.
5. APHEX TWIN
Someone I’ve recently been listening to a lot is Aphex Twin. I remember when I first watched Marie Antoinette and they played what sounded like Runaway by Kanye West. Turns out Runaway used a sample of Avril 14th which I will love forever.
The two songs I’ve been loving for this summer by Aphex Twin however are ‘aisatsana [102]’ and ‘Aleberto Balsalm’ (which has the creepiest cover ever). ‘aisatsana [102]’ is the most perfect thing you could ever listen to on quiet summer’s day. This is my favourite ‘I’m wide awake at 5am’ song. It’s beautiful and always makes me feel at peace. ‘Alberto Balsalm’ is pretty different, it’s upbeat but still quite melancholic at the same time. It’s hard to explain without listening to it. Apparently Alberto Balsalm is a shampoo? I hope it’s as good as a shampoo as it is as a song.
6.CLAIRO
If you can’t already tell, I’m listening to a lot of ‘soft’ songs cos I’m feeling a bit sensitive this summer lol. I'm so in love Clairo. I think I tried listening to her a bit a few months ago when she released a song with Rejjie Snow called ‘Hello?’ but I just couldn’t get into her. But, I tried her again when her songs popped up on my Spotify Discover playlist and now I can’t get enough of her
I put ‘Bags’ and ‘Softly’ on my summer of smlove playlist because they’re amazing. So catchy and sweet. I love her voice a lot.
7. BEIRUT - ELEPHANT GUN
Every time there’s even a slither of the sunshine, the first band that comes to my head is Beirut. I don’t really know why but they are my band of the summer every year. The song that particularly comes into my head is ‘Elephant Gun’. It’s very nostalgic feeling, it reminds me of every great summer I’ve ever had. I love that. Whenever I listen to it I fall in love with it over and over again.
8. MARIBOU STATE
I have no idea how Maribou State ended up in my library but I’m so glad they did.
‘Kingdom’ and ‘Beginnner’s Luck’ are both such good songs. Whilst ‘Kingdom’ is a little more uplifting and makes you feel like dancing, 'Beginner’s Luck’ is a lot more relaxed. It’s more of a late night drive car song. Both very very very pretty songs.
Here’s a few more songs I’m loving…
There’s a lot of songs over on my playlist, this post has barely covered them all. There’s just too many to share but you can go check out my playlist here.
I’d love to see what you’re listening to this summer, you can leave a comment down below or share over on Instagram. Thanks for reading!
