Music round-up: Here’s what you missed from June

You can never catch all the music you want in a given month, and June was no exception. Maybe you spent your time out in the sun. Or perhaps you were moving into a new place and had to deal with unreliable internet delaying your search for new music. To compensate, let’s go over some of the best albums June had to offer.

Alex G – “DSU” (Orchid Tapes)

Philadelphia’s Alex Giannascoli released a handful of albums before “DSU,” but his first full-length for Orchid Tapes is an absolute winner. The album feels like angst-filled pop songs that resemble a bedroom version of your favorite ‘90s band. Alex G already has somewhat of a cult following on the internet, but these introvert jams should propel him into relevance. The album can be downloaded for free at orchidtapes.bandcamp.com. Check out “Harvey,” “Black Hair” and “Boy.”

Bremen – “Second Launch” (Blackest Ever Black)

Clocking in at around 1 hour 45 minutes, “Second Launch” is less of an album and more of a journey. It’s a highly mature record, which seems due to the fact that the Swedish duo spent a number of years letting out some unbridled aggression in the underground punk scene. Bremen might not be the most active band, but its ambient tendencies excel at creating a mood. Unlike most of Blackest Ever Black’s catalog, this album isn’t rough around the edges but glides from place to place. It is the perfect music to meditate or study to. Try “Static Interferences,” “Sweepers” and “Sun Son.”

Durban – “Chimes” (Lit City Trax)

Lit City Trax was founded by the late DJ Rashad, but the label has evolved from more than just a Chicago footwork label. The track “Chimes,” by the London-born, Brooklyn-based producer Durban, shows off two genres interwoven with footwork: hip-hop and drum and bass. While some tracks display Durban’s fondness for the raves he attended in his youth, the more hip-hop-oriented beats exemplify the best traits of both British and American producers. This EP can be found for free on the label’s website. Give a listen to “Chimes,” “32 Seconds” and “Linear Pulse.”

Low Pros – “EP1” (Fool’s Gold Records)

Low Pros is the combination of Brick Squad producer Lex Luger and world-renowned turntablist and producer A-Trak. “EP1” is the big room party rap you’ve come to expect but doesn’t come across as cliché. This release features many others, including rappers Young Thug, Que, A$AP Ferg and even Juvenile. Also featured are producers Brillz, High Klassified and Metro Boomin – each of which you should keep your eye on. Ignorant rap can be fun in the right mood, but don’t play this one around your parents. I recommend “100 Bottles Remix,” “Muscle” and “Frankie Lymon.”

Ryan Hemsworth & Wave Racer – “Destroyed” (Last Gang/Future Classics)

Here’s a split seven-inch from two of today’s best electronic artists with notable hip-hop influence. Each artist remixes the other’s song, lending it his own twist. Wave Racer turns “Ryan Must Be Destroyed” into a joyful bounce through the park, nailing it down with a sample of Yoshi from the Super Smash Bros. Nintendo game. Ryan Hemsworth turns “Streamers” into a glimmering piece of melancholy, leaving just enough of the original synthesizers (but not without detuning them slightly).