Music Shopping List: New Albums from Maxwell & blink-182 Lead the Charge

“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day / and I’m feeling good!” Actually, it’s a new month and that means more exciting new music to add to the collection – or minimally the streaming list! July 1 has some notable newbies, led by highly anticipated new albums from R&B standout Maxwell and new-look pop-punk vets, blink-182.

1. Maxwell, blackSUMMERS’night

[Columbia]

After a seven-year hiatus, neo-soul/adult contemporary R&B veteran Maxwell returns with blackSUMMERS’night, the highly anticipated follow-up to Maxwell’s 2009 effort, BLACKsummers’night and the middle album of a trilogy of albums.  BLACKsummers’night performed exceptionally well on the charts, debuting at no. 1, eventually being certified platinum, and winning Grammys. blackSUMMERS’night is comprised of 12 tracks, with “Lake by the Ocean” and “1990X” among songs issued prior to the album’s release.

2. blink-182, California

[BMG Rights Management]

Pop-punk band blink-182 return with California, their first album in nearly five years.  Things have changed since the trio dropped Neighbourhoods in 2011, most notably the exit (or hiatus) of Tom DeLonge, who may or may not have quit blink-182 to research UFOs.  Comprised of 16 tracks, “Bored to Death,” “No Future,” and “Rabbit Hole” arrived prior to the album.

3. Snoop Dogg, COOLAID

[Doggy Style/eOne]

After releasing R&B album BUSH in 2015, Snoop Dogg returns to form on rap album COOLAID.  Honestly, it’s been a while since Snoop Dogg has rapped – the album prior to BUSH found Snoop Dogg calling himself Snoop Lion and issuing a reggae album, Reincarnated.  Comprised of 20 tracks, single “Kush Ups” featuring Wiz Khalifa arrived prior to the surprise album.  Other guests on COOLAID include E-40, Jeremih, and Too $hort.

4. Grace, FMA

[RCA]

Pop newcomer Grace drops her debut full-length, FMA.  Grace first appeared on the pop scene in 2015 with her five-song EP, Memo. Memo included hit single “You Don’t Own Me” featuring G-Eazy, which has “blown up” in 2016. In addition to “Feel Your Love” which reappears from her EP, “Hell of a Girl,” “Hope You Understand” and a remix of EP song “Boyfriend Jeans” arrived prior to the album.  In all, FMA is comprised of 14 tracks.

5. MAGIC!, Primary Colours

[Sony]

After captivating the world with “Rude” back in 2014 on their self-titled debut, reggae-pop band MAGIC! returns with sophomore album Primary Colours.  Primary Colours is comprised of just 10 tracks, featuring just one guest, Sean Paul.  Sean Paul is featured on “Lay You Down Easy,” one of two songs available prior to the album.  The other song arriving prior to the album – single “Red Dress.”

6. American Authors, What We Live For

[Island]

Two years after dropping their debut album Oh What A Life, American Authors return with sophomore effort, What We Live For.  What We Live For is comprised of 12 tracks, with the title track, “Pride,” and “Go Big or Go Home” available prior to the album itself.

7. Bat For Lashes, The Bride

[Warner Bros]

Alternative British singer/songwriter Bat For Lashes returns after nearly a four-year hiatus with The Bride.  The last time we heard from Bat? That would be her October 2012 album The Haunted Man, which notably featured a nude cover…moving on! The Bride runs 13 tracks deep, with “I Do” and “In God’s House” among songs released prior to the album.

Also Released: Blood Orange, Freetown Sound (Domino); Christian Akridge, Hope – EP (PressPlay); Sara Watkins, Young In All the Wrong Ways [New West]

Photo Credit: Columbia, BMG Rights Management, Doggy Style / eOne, RCA, Sony & Island