I’m going to attempt a bit of a catch-up on Music I Liked This Week, which doesn’t get published nearly as often as the name implies.

It’s been a solid summer for new music. Here are some of the new releases I’ve enjoyed.

1. “1010WINS” by Aesop Rock feat. Armand Hammer
   
   One of the best examples to date of Aesop Rock’s rhythmic complexity, which always intensifies the complexity of his lyrics. This is not rap for the uninitiated, but it’s not exactly unapproachable, either. It’s a solid groove that still manages to keep you from ever being fully at ease. If I tell you it gives the listener a pleasant anxiety, you might not listen, but you’d be missing out.
   
   The rest of the album, Black Hole Superette, is also good, though it’s far from being his best. When I think about Aesop Rock’s style in the abstract, I get bored of it quickly; but when I listen to his music, it always manages to catch me off guard. For this reason, I predict he’ll actually rise in status as his work ages, as I think he’ll in some ways hold up better than many of the now-popular hip-hop artists, if only by being high variance.
   
   
   
   
2. “Mr. Predictable” by Beach Bunny
   
   Certainly the best track of her new album, Tunnel Vision. This was one of the few albums I’ve ever pre-saved on Spotify, and I fear in doing so I set a standard no album could bear. That said, I think the hit-rate on this album is low compared to prior releases.
   
   Nevertheless, “Mr. Predictable” hit all the right marks for status as this summer’s indie rock anthem, and this particular style always rises in my estimation around back to school time. These are songs to be listened to in grocery store parking lots on Friday nights, in cars with the windows down. Teen spirit, to the extent there is such a thing, still lives in this genre. Thanks to Beach Bunny, it comes in hot pink.
   
   
   
   
3. “Welcome to Tha Carter” by Lil Wayne
   
   Lil Wayne has managed to string Millennials on for 17 years now, dropping 3 more “Tha Carter” albums, and not one of them has been a fraction as good as Tha Carter III. And yet, we’re not mad, and that is simply because he has sprinkled in a few truly great songs along the way. This is one of them, and though I won’t be recommending Tha Carter VI to anyone, don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.
   
   And yes, I will listen to Tha Carter VII, whenever it inevitably arrives.
   
   
   
   
4. “Real Thing” by Drugdealer and Weyes Blood
   
   Simply another excellent piece by these frequent collaborators. Blood’s vocals are reminiscent of Carole King in this track, and the string accompaniment is as full as any Philly Sound hit ever produced.
   
   Drugdealer remains an artist to keep a close eye on. Even when his work is not good, it is interesting.

For the record, I think the best album release of the summer was the late bloomer, Indigo De Souza’s Precipice, released July 25. I’m hoping to do a full album review and post it soon.