By: Fatima Privitt 

Summer was a season of creativity, and music was one of the best things to come from it. As the season comes to an end, here are five albums that stood out and are worth listening to. From personal reflections on one’s neighborhood and love songs to futuristic electronic explorations of existentialism and reexaminations of self-worth, each artist brings authenticity and personal impact to their music. Together, these albums offer unique perspectives shaped by each artist’s individual experiences and creative expression. 

A Sun Flower Garden in Harlem Is Hard to Find by Liim

Liim’s follow-up to his 2025 album, Liim Lasalle Loves You, A Sunflower Garden In Harlem Is Hard To Find is a soulful project filled with soulful R&B, touches of old-school hip-hop, and an homage to his hometown Harlem. With hi-hats, alternative rhythms, and jazz loops with sounds that pay tribute to both New York drill and old-school hip-hop. 

Liim takes listeners through his hometown in all its complexity, centered around the message that a sunflower can bloom even in the most unexpected environments. 

Beard by Syd

Syd’s long-awaited third album, Beard, pairs soulful, ethereal vocals with heartfelt and intimate lyrics. Known for her relaxed, smooth vocals and breathy delivery, Syd explores the multifaceted dimensions of love throughout the project. 

Beard is a self-produced album that explores relationships, their complexity, and everything in between. Organic instrumentation and Syd’s distinct sound give the album a personal feel. Syd invites us into her world, capturing the warmth and vulnerability that come with love, allowing listeners to experience that feeling through her music.

Before The World Blows by Erykah Badu & The Alchemist 

Electronic, existentialism, and rooted in trip hop, Erykah Badu and The Alchemist come together for a special project that feels like an ascension. Badu’s unmistakable sound meets The Alchemist’s signature production style, creating a transcendental listening experience. 

The album’s high-pitched frequency and dreamy soundscape create an experience that feels both raw and otherworldly, exploring a celestial space at the center of Before The World Blows. 

new avatar by Kelela 

With deep bass, captivating vocals, melodic R&B, and electronic influences, Kelela is an artist who refuses to be limited by genre. Moving between alternative R&B and trip hop, her artistry feels authentic, expansive, and entirely her own. 

With intimate lyrics and neon-noir visuals, Kelela’s aesthetic on new avatar breaks boundaries. The album refuses to fit into a box, creating a sound that feels futuristic and transcendent. 

Popstar by Tinashe

Tinashe’s Popstar is fun, vulnerable, fresh, and full of adrenaline. Blending hyperpop, electronic club music, and nonconformist R&B, the album has a distinct sound that brings its many influences together into an exhilarating experience. 

Listening to Popstar feels like a ride, from beginning to end, and it’s one worth taking all the way through.