CURRENT ROTATION QUICK TAKES JUNE 2025

INTRO: For the past few months you might have noticed that I have folded-in a few recommendations from my daughter, June. Given the month, it felt like the perfect time for a full JUNE’S JUNE TAKE-OVER. Thus, all eight of the albums I share thoughts on this month are new releases that June has suggested. The good news is that - Spoiler Alert - nothing sucks. Even if some of these don’t get wholly positive thoughts from me, it is mostly because I’m just not the right audience. As a big music fan - regardless of how rabidly you still follow and keep up with new music - you can pretty easily reach a point when certain sounds simply don’t surpass music in the same realm that you have been listening to for years. Call it ‘genre fatigue’, if you will. So not totally a condemnation, but more of a particular personal limit. The better news is that these suggestions confirm what I already knew - that June has some great ears. The kid listens (mostly) to really solid music - and I certainly enjoyed checking these collections out. I’m counting on June to keep me 'in the know' regarding other new artists that I might not normally dial up on my own.
Lucy Dacus / Forever Is A Feeling
Though this is Dacus’ fourth solo release, I admit that it was her being part of newcomer alt-supergroup boygenius (and the love that June had for that album) that initially exposed me to her music. It seems like the success has done only positive things for Dacus. That isn’t to say that her previous, pre-boygenius albums were lesser affairs, but there is certainly a maturity and confidence that elevates this entire collection. From the intriguing string instrumental that opens the album, the musical twists and turns are plenty and they all feel worth the time. Anchored by Dacus’ excellent songwriting, I found myself not just rooting for the tracks, but becoming fully enamored. The various atmospheric sonics all fully do their part supporting and augmenting. This album certainly stands as a winning collection and I look forward to further appreciation with continued listens. Standout Tracks: “Big Deal” & “Best Guess” - Thumbs Up and a Grade of a convincing B.
Bells Larsen / Blurring Time
The musical setting for this sophomore effort by the Canadian singer/songwriter is one I am well accustomed to as a regular starting place from hearing much of the music June is drawn to. That is, intimate (almost hushed) folk-based music with simple arrangements and tasteful instrumental/vocal accompaniments. The economical 30-minutes of this collection hits many on-point moments. I especially appreciated the tracks that layered in subtly added steel guitar work & light drums, as well as the two numbers sung in French. The sublime soprano/tenor vocal harmonies are both the big draw and the real heart of the album - as it represents both sides of Larsen’s transition. This is more fully framed and shared through the highly confessional lyrics. The overall effect stands as both unique and thoughtful. Standout Tracks: “514-415” & “The Way The Wind Blows" - Thumbs Up and a Grade of C+.
Renny Conti / Renny Conti
This looks to be the 4th full album by the New Yorker, but as I had never heard of him I came in completely blind. There was much to recognize as he employs a fairly palatable arsenal of alt-pop touches. The melodies work and the instrumentation is just messy enough to convince that his intentions are earnest. I liked this collection - in that it was an easy listen (& easy to return to). There is also just enough song-approach variety to keep things from feeling monotonous. At only twenty-one, it feels like a safe bet to keep an eye out for future releases in hopes that Conti further develops his naturally-given core talent. Standout Tracks: “South Star” & “Future Burning” - Thumbs Up and a Grade of C+.
Addison Rae / Addison
June warned that I might not like this album because it was ‘too pop’. They know better. Considering the steady flow of female-fronted pop music that has been a regular inclusion in our music playing at home - from Donna Summers & Madonna to Sara Bareilles & ABBA - June should know that well-crafted pop music will always find a spot in my music rotations. What doesn’t work for me on this debut album by the Tik-Tok dancer-turned-singer is that I’m just not the audience for this collection. All the best parts of the production work are clearly lifted from the likes of 80s Janet Jackson records (dumbed down with LOTS of pop cliches), but the lyrics & safe pop choices don’t give me much to lean into. I get why June likes Rae, but at barely 30-minutes (feeling more like a collection of singles than a full album) and pretty flatline approaches, there just isn’t anything for me to hang a hat on. I’ll stick with my classic Madonna & Janet Jackson albums. Thumbs Down and a Grade of D.
Kevin Atwater / Achilles
There is a very likable breeziness that permeates the entirety of this full-album debut from the Illinois native. Adopting plenty of Nick Drake hushed touches, Atwater shines with the deft touch of layered vocals and thoughtful arrangements. I especially liked that he stretched those arrangements to stray outside of purely intimate guitar songs. The addition of drums and extra instrumentation throughout added nicely to the collection. If I had to offer a slight criticism, it is that each time I finished the album, I wasn’t left with much that was deeply memorable - that is, beyond the general feeling that the songs were pleasant enough. Of course, this might have improved had I become more intimate with the songs from repeated listens, but despite enjoying what I heard over a few concentrated listens, I just wasn’t compelled to go any deeper. Standout Tracks: “Jamie’s Daydreams” & “Lonely Gift” - Thumbs Up and a Grade of C.
Blondshell / If You Asked For A Picture
A deeply confessional and intimate approach to songwriting is clearly a component that June is drawn to. I get it - it is alluring to experience a shared aligning of life/age experiences with an artist through their work. The sophomore effort by Sabrina Teitelbaum (working as Blondshell) takes the hushed bedroom production of many of June’s favorites to a pure 1990's landing place. There is much throughout this collection that would have floated easily amongst the likes of The Cranberries, Hole, Garbage & Veruca Salt. Blondshell wears it well and totally convinces as more than simply being a ‘borrower’ of these established sounds. There is a sureness in her commitment and the entire album plays out with plenty to offer and return to. Standout Tracks: “What’s Fair” & “Toy” - Thumbs Up and a Grade of C+.
HAIM / I Quit
From the first time I heard HAIM’s breakout single, “The Wire”, I liked the way they used ‘70s rock/pop foundations through a modern filter. What I didn’t previously notice as strikingly (as is the case on this album), is the inclusion of the sort of west coast cool ‘90s approaches that served Sheryl Crow so well. In fact, HAIM’s latest effort seems to insist on the listener being clued-in as they bookend the album with samples that scream ‘90s pop - opener “Gone” benefits from George Michaels’ “Freedom ‘90” and U2’s pulse & guitar riff from “Numb” serve as the anchor of closer “Now It’s Time”. None of this hinders a collection that is both easy to listen to and is inherently likable. And if you’re going to move on a Janet Jackson groove, “Relationships” is how you do it successfully - Addison Rae should take note. Though I did enjoy the album, the only reason I won’t give it a higher final Grade is that I simply don’t see myself finding much reason to return (other than, perhaps, pulling a track here & there for a specific playlist). Again, this has less to do with quality than it does me simply not being its audience. I’d wager that it will, rightfully so, provide June with a perfect summer listening companion. Standout Tracks: “Down To Be Wrong”, “Lucky Stars” & “Try To Feel My Pain” - Thumbs Up and a Grade of a strong C+.
Bon Iver / SABLE, fABLE
Considering June was only two when Bon Iver’s first album came out, this act was the only one I can try to take credit for in exposing June to. However, my guess is that Bon Iver hit June’s radar through his/their collaborations with Taylor Swift. The latest album, the band’s fifth, offers an alluring expanse of sounds and songwriting emotions. One of the stars of this new record is the interesting way acoustic instrumentation coexists with an assortment of electronic flourishes and studio effects. While not necessarily challenging, it does keep the listener guessing or (at least) wanting to lean-in a bit more to not miss subtle additions to the overall musical tapestry. Turns out that intimate folk and soul-pop make great bedfellows. There is a flow to this album that is infectious and I truly felt engaged with each listen. Also, Danielle Haim from HAIM lends vocals to “If Only I Could Wait”. Overall, SABLE fABLE is a solid collection that delivers on pretty much every front - making it my favorite of June’s suggested albums. It is also an outstanding headphones record. Standout Tracks: “Speyside”, “Awards Season” & “Everything Is Peaceful Love” - Thumbs Up and a Grade of B.
***I feel inclined to include one Honorable Mention. As part of June’s original eight suggestions, I discovered that one of the albums had actually been originally released in 2024 - with only the ‘deluxe’ version (& two newly added tracks) coming out in 2025. June provided a replacement, but I did want to say that I super enjoyed the release: Trail of Flowers by Sierra Ferrell. It's a highly engaging bit of new country - that is, music and songwriting steeped in country music roots traditions through the eyes of a striking new talent. Truthfully, it probably would have earned my top spot of appreciation out of the albums June selected. Highly recommended.