It’s Monday, and it’s music time.

Beach Bunny’s debut album gets better and better. There’s something raw but refreshing with this rock band.

Speaking of raw rock, Car Seat Headrest just released their new album, and it’s a hard left their standard fare, a bit less rock, a bit more electronic-y.

Perfume Genius has gotten a lot of press for quite some time, and I’ve usually enjoyed a few tracks from each of his albums. His latest album, the subtle titled, “Set My Heart on Fire Immediately,” is getting good reviews, but I haven’t sunk my teeth in yet.

One of the more underrated rappers of our day, Isaiah Rashad, a man who has been on the mixtape many times, finally released a new single! Hopefully, this means he’s got a record coming out, but who knows with him. The throwback sound of “Why Worry" juxtaposes with his flow and creates a song that very few in the rap world could make.

If you haven’t heard Beyonce rap on Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” remix, do yourself a solid and give it a close listen. What a track.

I loved Faye Webster’s debut album from last year, the mellow but terribly and nonsensically titled, “Atlanta Millionaires Club.” The track on this week’s mixtape is more the same mellowness.

You probably didn’t know, but The Strokes released another album. Their first one in six years though it really doesn’t feel that long. I guess they still need dem checks. The album is decent and there’s some tracks I enjoy, but the songwriting feels tired, like “Ugh, I gotta write ANOTHER Strokes song, fine…” and out comes a number of songs that make this album. That sounds terrible, but let‘s remember, The Strokes can write amazing songs, but now it’s more or less recycled great songs. Take it or leave it.

Happy Monday all. Stay safe.

Albert Hammond, Jr., the guitarist of the notorious The Strokes, is set to release his third solo album. I LOVED his first album, Yours to Keep, for its simplicity and Hammond's vocals that were unproduced and raw. The best and most catchy (and probably most Strokes-y) song on the album was "In Transit."

But a track that still stands put to me is the Beatles-esque "Blue Skies," where Hammond, his acoustic guitar, a xylophone, and a slow beat create a sweet love song.

AHJ just released his first single, "Born Slippy," which I immediately took to. What I love in an artist is when he/she is able to take the best pieces of prior albums and build upon them to make even better tracks. This is one of those and might be the best track he's written!

His new album, Momentary Masters, is out July 31!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 157

Singles - Born Slippy - Albert Hammond, Jr.