The Daily Growl

Right, before the month gets any older, a quick look back at my musical highlights of July.

Album of the month

It’s been a bit hard to choose this month, what with so much good stuff out. In the end, the choice was between the ubiquitous Lily Allen and the posthumously ubiquitous Johnny Cash. Maybe it’s the summer heat addling my brain, but I’m going with Lily. Maybe in a year’s time I’ll look back and think I was mad - what? choosing the hyped starlet’s reggae-lite over the magisterial valedictory album from a legend like Cash. Well, maybe, but it is summer, and just now it seems so right - it’s certainly the record I’ve been most consistently listening to and enjoying most in July. Plus there’s not a duff track there, and how many albums can you say that about?

Download: Lily Allen - Take What You Take

Songs of the Month

1. Dangerdoom - Old School (feat Talib Kweli)

My journey back towards decent hip-hop continues. I missed The Mouse and The Mask last year, until I heard this monster blasting out the radio earlier in the month. Then I made amends.

2. Adem - Launch Yourself (Thomas Erikson Mix)

Adem’s quirky downbeat folk number gets a minimal scuzzy synth re-working, to magnificent effect.

3. Sol Seppy - Slo Fuzz

I admit I know next to nothing about Sol Seppy (aka Sophie Michalitsianos), but this warm, er, fuzzy song is real beauty. I’ve got the iTunes free download to thank me for the introduction.

4. Fields - Brittle Sticks

I raved about this lot recently, so I’m re-posting. Just really good indie rock, the way it should be done.

5. Peter, Bjorn and John - Young Folks

This insanely catchy tune has been all over the radio last month. Cue mass whistling (maybe).