June is a really hard word to think of a lame pun for

So I didn't, and chose a homophone(ish) to title my playlist for the month — ok, other month — Hot Cake Sand June.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/playlist/hot-cake-sand-june/pl.u-kv9l4jdF7v3BAYE

The music on it is a bit all over the place, but the most common theme is its newness. 

Some bits I wanted to highlight from it though:

4th Dimension was the standout track from both of Kanye's new albums, in my opinion. Similarly excellent was the opening track from the Teyana Taylor EP he produced, Gonna Love Me. 

The new Arctic Monekys album is still on heavy rotation in my headphones, but I also loved the opening track, Star Treatment, from that the most when I first listened to it. 

Lily Allen released a new album, so that sent me back through her entire catalogue, but my favourite track off her new one was Higher. Really chilled stuff and a great song.

There are so many brilliant female pop artists at the moment, and they all put out some bangers this summer. Dua Lipa, Cardi B, Janelle Monae, Charlie XCX, Demi Lovato, even Jennifer Lopez! Jessie Reyez' Body Count kind of went a little unheard I felt, so I threw that in as I like her stuff. Jorja Smith too, whose voice I fell most in love with while building this list. I wheedled her in there in a few spots. 

Of course, there's at least one Khalid track.

Some singer-songwriter stuff, like Ben Howard who put a new album out, and Casey Musgraves, who I recently learned is opening for Harry Styles on tour and also has a new album out. Spacey, moody British wordsmith and a lighter hearted progressive country star with a knack for a hook.

And then some hip hop, ranging from old school — Outkast, the Westworld version of C.R.E.A.M — to the newer — Tyler The Creator, A$AP Rocky, Cautious Clay.

I'll be back soon with another, and more from the road trip too. The soundtrack to the road trip, inspired by stuff I was listening to in the motherland.