Top Indie Album Picks of the Week [August 5, 2022]

With new led singles “Love Me Then,” and the Xavier Omär-assisted “Beautiful,” Charlotte-based singer and songwriter Byron Juane continues to expand on the balance of love and chaos. His new 8-track project A Little Crazy gives the R&B lovers an imperfect picture of a turbulent journey through love. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.

Indie rap veteran J.Lately raises the bar for himself on his new album Breakfast. Across the 12-track project featuring guest appearances from Locksmith, Mark Battles, Cam Meekins, Blimes, Loe Gino, Ian Kelly, Khyenci, Space Cadet & Roux Shankle, with production from West Coast Trey, Space Cadet, and Okeefe, the California representative proves he only gets better with time. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.

Led by vocalist/multi-instrumentalist, Simi Sohota, Healing Potpourri specializes in effervescent guitar pop that incorporates elements of ‘70s soft rock, chamber pop, lounge, and more to create songs that are all but guaranteed to leave the listener in a better mood. But on the San Francisco-based band’s sophomore LP, Paradise, the group offers more than just sonic escapism. Written and recorded over the past two tumultuous years, Paradise finds Sohota and company processing the often overwhelming deluge of stress, frustration, and despair that’s become a part of modern life—but rather than be completely deflated, the band has created some of their most vibrant and instantly appealing music to date. The result is eleven hopeful songs that seek to imagine a better world and strive to make it a reality while still taking the time to appreciate the moments of brightness that can shine through in hard times. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.

New Ruin is a shot of adrenaline from a band striking out at outdated institutions and ideologies via pointed lyrics and their heaviest songs to date, attacking each with a ferocity that will surprise even longtime fans. From the monstrously discordant hits that open the album through the de facto thesis statement of “Heirloom,” it’s clear that punk band The Flatliners are angry in a way we’ve never heard before. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.

Highly anticipated follow-up to fan-favorite project, on Trifecta 2 Detroit rap trio ShittyBoyz shows their ready for mainstream attention. With their refined D-town sound, BabyTron, TREDEE, and StanWill, it is only a matter of time that the group will be the midwest’s go-to rap collective. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.