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The albums we can’t stop talking about this month
A column where NMM ranks each new album we listened to in the previous month. Whether we wrote a review or not, we aim to sum up our monthly listens so you know how to get the good stuff.
I know it’s pretty much September already so why are we releasing Sound Check nearly a month late? Well, we’ve been busy.. Summer has been a big one for NMM with attendance and coverage of both Mad Cool and Sziget festivals — not to mention just battling everyday life. So with that being said, we’re back and here’s my opinion of eight of the biggest releases of July, a month that saw two surprise drops from some of the biggest artists in the world.
June was packed with standout releases and unforgettable album drops, from Lorde’s landmark performance at Glastonbury to Yungblud’s annual BludFest. It’s safe to say we witnessed some of the most creative ways to launch an album in 2025.
1. Tyler, the Creator – Don’t Tap the Glass
Tyler’s new record is a blast. It’s short, light-hearted, and bursting with humour — a welcome shift after the scale and seriousness of Chromakopia . To me, this feels closer to the Flower Boy or Odd Future era: colourful, playful, and packed with energy. It’s the kind of record that doesn’t try too hard to be a “statement” but still leaves you grinning from start to finish. A quick, fun reminder of why Tyler is one of the most exciting artists working today.
2. Wet Leg – moisturizer
Wet Leg lean into exactly what they do best here — raunchy, sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek punk that doesn’t take itself too seriously. moisturizer feels like a natural extension of their debut but sharper and more self-assured. It’s nasty, cheeky, and completely addictive, the kind of record that thrives on its messiness. Not every track lands, but the ones that do are impossible not to shout along to.
3. Reneé Rapp – BITE ME
The opener and breakout single Leave Me Alone had me ready to hand this a five-star rating on the spot. It’s a classic angry-girl banger — loud, defiant, and instantly memorable. Mad tones it down a bit but keeps the energy going strong. Then things get a little wilder: ballads, disco experiments (Kiss it Kiss it), and sudden shifts that left me confused at times. Still, even with the uneven pacing, Rapp’s personality shines through. She’s clearly not afraid to take risks, and when it works, it’s thrilling.
Further down the list, Alex G delivered Headlights, a mellow and chilled-out record that washes over you more than it grabs hold. It’s low-key and atmospheric, best suited for when you want something warm and unobtrusive in the background. I’d rank it higher, but the ultra-chill vibe isn’t always my thing. That said, Afterlife is an indie banger and one that’s going to stick around for a while.
Hard Life offered up Onion, a strong album that speaks of a band rebuilding after some tough years. The opener sets the tone, while Crickets!!! stands out as one of their most affecting tracks to date. It’s not flashy, but it’s honest and a welcome return for the band that nearly had everything stripped away.
Scars on Broadway returned with Addicted to the Violence. It’s not bad, but it never really pulls itself together — a few good moments here and there, but overall it feels scattered.
Justin Bieber surprised everyone with Swag, though maybe not in the way he intended. I’m glad the world seems to have picked up on Daisies as the standout track — it’s easily the best thing here. But otherwise, this record just felt really long. My main takeaway was that I wanted it to end.
And finally, Kesha’s . (…) well, let’s just say it didn’t land. I kind of liked the second track (JOYRIDE.), but the rest sounded like a bad Katy Perry record — and Perry’s not exactly on fire these days. What’s frustrating is that it doesn’t feel like Kesha’s really confronting or working through her story; it just feels flat.
Check back next month (or next week) for our August picks.