Albums
June: 18 albums you need to hear this month
Jlin, Goldie, Arca and more
Nite Jewel 'Real High' (Gloriette Records)
Nite Jewel’s fourth album is her most personal and lyric-driven yet. Recorded over four years in Los Angeles, Ramona Gonzalez explores the euphoric peaks of love and its insecurities, especially on the title track – a contemplative, futuristic ballad with minimal production and downbeat, stretched-out vocals. Though more upbeat, ‘When I Decide (It’s Alright)’ shows signs of vulnerability, while ‘Obsession’ and ‘R We Talking Long’ reflect the challenges of finding love in a hyper-modern social media society. But its melodic and groovy lead single ‘2 Good 2 Be True’ that’s the summery, synth-led highlight, as Ramona’s effortlessly infectious vocal soars over finger clicks and dreamy 80s production. Ben Jolley
8/10
Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda 'The Ecstatic Music Of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda' (Luaka Bop)
Got a high tolerance for other people’s spirituality? You’re in luck: this is, at times, one of the year’s most beautiful releases. These tracks are all taken from the period between 1982 and 1995, when the highly influential underground musician Alice Coltrane (wife of John and great-aunt of Flying Lotus) ran a spiritual community. Here, you can hear Hindu chants and sitars, gospel and soul tonality, slowly rising ambient synthesiser tones and blissful chord changes. You may find it tough to get past the religiosity, but if you can, there’s real magic here. Joe Muggs
7/10
