The Best

Gentle and wry, yet possessed of a spirit that demands exploration and pure width, Iechyd Da is an antidote to those bleak midwinter blues, a knife in the heart of January with a blade made out of pure spring. It packs a lot of meaning and feeling into 50 minutes, and if you like the combination of strings and children’s choirs as subtle backing pieces than you should probably run out and listen to this right now. Pain and misgivings arranged for a blissed-out end of the world.

Nailah Hunter creates a an art pop-shoegaze mutation, one where instead of staring at your shoes you close your eyes and stare inward. The L.A. harpist creates fantasy worlds that balance darkness and light with a surreal grace. Lovegaze is a particularly apt name – these are songs made out of blurry segments that move between each other like heat lightning playing languidly across the thickly humid summer sky.

The Rest

Marika Hackman – Big Sigh ★★★ (Chrysalis)

21 Savage – American Dream ★★★ (Epic)

Kali Uchis – Orquideas ★★★☆ (Geffen)

Infant Island – Obsidian Wreath ★★★☆ (Secret Voice)

Casey – How To Disappear ★★ (Hassle)

Folly Group – Down There! ★★☆ (So Young)