Music Recap for September 2023
Karissa Frampton, Bec Armour, Sarah Juers, and more.
Hi Pal.
The Monthly Wrap is a monthly newsletter where I give a rundown of my favourite musical highlights of the month.
Under The Lights
I’ve been really busy this month and I took a bit of a break — both here and on social media. Still, this isn’t a content section that I can afford to skip because it was a really good month for new music.
Karissa Frampton starts this list with her new album, All the damage leads to healing anyways. It’s an emotional indie/alternative pop album that makes me appreciate how far we have come in the Christian alternative music space when it comes to dealing with vulnerability and balancing those themes with hope and reverence.
Since its announcement, Dominion has been my most anticipated metalcore album of the year and War Of Ages did not disappoint. It’s difficult to make anyone understand why or how people screaming/growling is supposed to be edifying or reverent to Christ if they do not already love the sound. Bands like WOA make such conversations easier.
Hip-hop, specifically Grime & UK Drill, is probably another genre that shares some of the sentiments of the metal genre. Vonte Grace, Seren Cassa and Reblah dropped a collaborative new album, The Young Lion, this month, and I’ve had it on repeat. I really appreciate how they draw influences from different eras/aspects of the rap genre while still staying within the Drill pocket.
Experimental artists and projects always have a special place in my heart and not many get me like Civilized Creature. His new album, Earthen Vessel, is a wonderful trip-hop journey with experimental electronic infusions that have become a signature quality of his music. It also features collaborations with artists that I love, which is always a good bonus.
Bec Armour creates soothing music that blends the best parts of indie/alternative folk and worship. Her new album is everything I thought it would be and my only critique of it is that it is too short. Dove Tumour wraps you up in its own unique ambience and I love it.
“Three albums in three years” is a respectable achievement for any artist, especially when they are quality releases. It is clear to me that Muntjac has had a lot to say and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to listen. Liminal is different from his last two albums and I love the direction he is taking, particularly, with his production.
Speaking of prolific artists, when I saw the notification for a new Rob Ray album, I had to double-check my music library because I felt like we already got a 2023 album from him. Hey, I’m not complaining, What’s Wrong? is a good album and his ability to deliver consistently is admirable.
Hopeful Hearts Club is finally here, and I must admit, I’m not a fan of the “releasing all the songs as singles periodically” approach that Jervis Campbell took for this one. Still, there’s no denying that this is one of his best works and I’m glad to hear the entire album as a cohesive unit.
Having stumbled into an electropop album a couple of months ago that is currently one of my highlights of the year, I was happy to run into another record in that sonic pocket, MMXXII, by JSteph. I can’t wait to talk about it.
I started this list with an album of vulnerability and healing. It feels right to end it on a similar note with, It Was Dark Until It Wasn’t by Sarah Juers. Part indie folk, alternative R&B and pop; there’s a lot to like about her sonic diversity and the ways that she can communicate the emotional themes explored on the album.
Video Interlude
Little Drops
Here are 10 of my favourite singles from September 2023:
Death Defying Joy by Andy Squyres
Marathon by Claudia Isaki
Love With A Crown by John Mark McMillian
Charlie by Coquí
Daniel’s Prophecy by Sigum Regis
dying to myself by MUCH MORE, Cassidy Godwin
sunstone by Cross Gray
The Heat II: Moonlight by American Arson
Faded Dreams by Madison Ryann Ward
Sinking by Austin Koukal
Looking Forward: October
Obviously, subjects to change because things happen.
In Times Like These
by Praise Lubangu (October 6th)Deep Magic
by John Mark McMillan (October 6th)Between The Shadow And The Sun
by Lucy Grimble (October 6th)Good Omens
by Mudhouse (October 13th)To The Searching, The Lost And The Found
by RIDERS (October 13th)
That’s it for today.
See you in October.
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