August is fast approaching and we've got the last weekend of July ahead. It was a solid month for new music, despite the awkward shift of new releases from Tuesdays to Fridays. Let's finish the month strong with 15 news tunes, which I always get excited to share with you.

The Chemical Brothers have returned with their first studio album in five years, Born In The Echoes. Welcome back, fellas! I threw another Tame Impala track into the mix this week, and for good reason — I really dig the new album. I've heard some negative responses to it, but that's the beauty of music — each album sounds different to each individual. Kevin is definitely more moody and down this time around, which doesn't take away from the cohesive, well-produced album. Ah, Pure Bathing Culture are back with a new single, "Pray For Rain," and the mid-tempo groove finds the Portland duo exploring different sonic territories. Wilco dropped ninth LP Star Wars last week, and it didn't cost you a dollar. That's right, the album was free. I'm still soaking it up, but so far, I'm pleased; I usually am with Wilco.

This week's sleeper tune comes from an downtempo electro group called Bronze Whale. Whowhatzit? you ask? A new group from Austin that just dropped a debut EP called, War Of Art, that's definitely worth a spin. I've tapped "Love To Feel" for the WTU, and it certainly doesn't have a Texas feel; warm basslines, swirling synths and falsetto vocals lace a track best served after hours. It's wet out, guys; stay inside and listen to some new music. 

1. The Chemical Brothers, "Wide Open"
2. Tame Impala, "Reality In Motion"
3. Outfit, "On The Water, On The Way"
4. Rationale, "Fuel To The Fire"
5. Pure Bathing Culture, "Pray For Rain"
6. Foals, "Mountain At My Gates"

7. Empress Of, "Kitty Kat"
8. Wilco, "Cold Slope"
9. Protomartyr, "Why Does It Shake?"
10. Tep No, "Under Rage"
11. Bronze Whale Feat. Khai, "Love To Feel"
12. Kurt Vile, "Pretty Pimpin"
13, On An On, "You Were So Scared"
14. Slum Village, "Where We Come From"
15. Morly, "And Sooner Than We Know It…"

https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:leilanipolk:playlist:3I5rgYcp9wQ50NZVt9t3WX

This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2015.