The Album a Day Club | July 2024 Playlist
The Album a Day Club | July 2024 Playlist
Where we listen to a record a day, every day.
Welcome inside The Wax Museum, where each month, I share my album-a-day habit with liner notes and a playlist catered to vinyl collectors and new music seekers.
For newbies of this exhibit: much of what I listen to revolves around vinyl—deals, reissues, new releases—making this journal beneficial for anyone looking to expand their collection or discover their new favorite record.
Before we begin, the last bit of business: follow Vinyl on Sale on Twitter for daily drops and discounts. Expect about 5-10 tweets daily.
OK, happy collecting and let’s dig in.
The Album a Day Club | July 2024 Playlist
Stream: Spotify | Apple
To listen along to the Album a Day Club, follow the daily master playlist, or join the August playlist already in progress.
July 1: Hailu Mergia & Dahlak Band - Wede Harer Guzo (1978)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
It’s July 1st, and I’m still soaking up the sun in the Dominican Republic. I threw on an underrated tropical party starter on the sandy Bluetooth speaker: Hailu Mergia’s Wede Harer Guzo. This laid-back Ethiopian jazz is the perfect summer soundtrack.
While the vibes were on point, boy did I pick the wrong beach read,
’ The Jakarta Method, a gripping account of how the U.S. government helped the Indonesian military kill over one million innocent civilians in 1965.
This was part of the CIA’s world tour of regime change in the 1960’s, with stops in the Congo, Laos, Cambodia, Iraq, Brazil, and yes, even the Dominican Republic. But hey, at least those days are behind us, right? (Editor’s note: Wrong. This month alone, we’re seen an attempted Venezuela coup, a botched assassination of a former president, and the ousting of the current president from the upcoming election. What a time to be alive!)
July 2: Alvvays - Alvvays (2014)
Get Vinyl: Cerulean in Cloudy Clear | Discogs
My vacation is over (if you could call it that, with a two-year-old in tow) and it’s time to fly home. Do you have a go-to airport/airplane album? For me, it’s Alvvays’ self-titled debut, a record I’ve spun hundreds of times. It’s perfect for zoning out or as background noise while reading.
Coincidentally, this month marks the tenth anniversary and it’s receiving due praise from fans and critics. Here’s two excellent longreads on the album: Stereogum’s “Alvvays Turns 10” and Paste Magazine’s “Now, Alvvays and Forever.”
Celebrate the milestone with a new Bernie Grundman remaster vinyl (including a new song!), and if you’re feeling adventurous, tackle this diabolical 1000 piece album cover puzzle.
July 3: Molly Lewis - On The Lips (2024)
Get Vinyl: Candlelight Gold | Black | Discogs
I never thought I’d recommend an album that’s predominantly whistling, yet here we are. My full review here.
July 4: Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights (2002)
Get Vinyl: Discogs (Red) | Black
Happy Independence Day! This meme by @fatstevebuscemi was going viral, and that’s all the excuse I needed to blast Turn On The Bright Lights while grilling some dogs. I recommend the VMP red vinyl, sounds fantastic!
July 5: Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American (2001)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
It’s July 5th, and I’m still riding the wave of patriotism, so I threw on Bleed American, the absolute classic from Jimmy Eat World. I dare you to find a bad track on this album. And how about “Sweetness,” a song so nice it appears twice in their catalog.
We desperately need a colored vinyl reissue of this, especially since previous releases are fetching hundreds of dollars.
July 6: Built to Spill - There’s Nothing Wrong With Love (1994)
Get Vinyl: Jade Blue | Discogs
Sub Pop and Built to Spill celebrate the 30th anniversary of There's Nothing Wrong With Love, with a new, limited-edition repress on jade blue vinyl. Enjoyed this re-listen!
July 7: Molly Nilsson - Un-American Activities (2024)
Get Vinyl: White
Finally, a hypnotic Richard Nixon spinning on your turntable courtesy of lo-fi, Berlin-based artist Molly Nilsson. Her eleventh album, Un-American Activities, just dropped, and for the first time, it comes with vibrant color album art (a departure from her previous ten monochromatic covers). My full review here.
July 8: Frankie Rose - Interstellar (2012)
Get Vinyl: Bubblegum Pink | Discogs
Frankie Rose's long out-of-print debut album Interstellar is back with new art work, four unheard demos from the original recording sessions, and a new vinyl on bubblegum wax. This one ships out in early September.
July 9: Indigo De Souza - I Love My Mom (2018)
Get Vinyl: Rose Quartz | Discogs
First time listen to Indigo De Souza’s I Love My Mom, the Asheville singer’s debut from 2018. The album kicks off with an incredible 1-2 punch that sets the tone perfectly. Indigo’s most recent album All Of This Will End landed #31 in our Best Records of 2023 book.
July 10: toe - Now I See The Light (2024)
Get Vinyl: Madness Summer Pink
It’s great having Japanese math rock band toe back in our lives; their first album in a decade will satisfy long-time fans and hook new listeners craving a meditative, ambient experience.
July 11: Dinosaur Jr. - Farm (2009)
Get Vinyl: Lime | Discogs
Dinosaur Jr.'s ninth album celebrates 15 years with a special lime green vinyl remaster featuring four bonus tracks: a cover of The Zombies’ "Whenever You're Ready,” “Houses,” "Creepies," and "Show" for the first time on vinyl. I forgot how much this album rips, especially the longer tracks that feature plenty of open space for sprawling riffs.
July 12: Clairo - Charm (2024)
Get Vinyl: Discogs (Blue Marble) | Yellow | Pink | Purple | Black
Clairo’s third album, Charm, co-produced by Leon Michels (of The Dap-Kings, El Michels Affair, Menahan Street Band), is a warm, lived-in record that grows on you with each listen. My full review here.
July 13: James Blake & Lil Yachty - Bad Cameo (2024)
Get Vinyl: Lean | Black
The surprise collaboration album from James Blake and Lil Yachty arrives on magneta lean colored vinyl from Republic Records.
While “Midnight” will likely land on my Best Songs of 2024 list, much of the album feels disjointed and boring, and it left me feeling as if they could have taken more artistic risks. Despite this, I’m excited to see what these two will cook up next.
July 14: The Avalanches - Since I Left You (2000)
Get Vinyl: Discogs (Pink and Yellow Marble) | Black
I just got my hands on cokemachineglow: Writing Around Music 2005-2015 and the blog rock era nostalgia is real as I bounce around the assortment of essays.
One review that stood out is Mark Abraham’s take on The Avalanches’ Since I Left You (you can read it at the bottom here), which inspired me to revisit and appreciate this plunderphonic masterpiece anew.
The album features an astounding 3,500 samples from vinyl records, propelling the Melbourne students behind it to global music stardom. Its enduring legacy highlights the art of pushing boundaries through creative sound manipulation.
July 15: Les Rallizes Dénudés - The OZ Tapes (1973)
Get Vinyl: Blue | Black | Discogs
Back in June, retailer Mondo was having a summer sale where you would get a free mystery box of 5 LPs with a $150+ purchase. My mystery box featured an album I was previously unaware of: Les Rallizes Dénudés’ The OZ Tapes.
OZ was a short-lived DIY café and performance space in Kyoto, central to the city's underground scene in the early '70s. Led by the enigmatic Takashi Mizutani, Les Rallizes Dénudés headlined OZ Last Days, a celebration of this unique venue. These recordings, stored for nearly half a century, were released in 2022 as The OZ Tapes.
For more on Les Rallizes Dénudés and the world of OZ, check out Douglas Martin’s recent detailed longread at Passion of the Weiss.
July 16: Johnny Blue Skies - Passage Du Desir (2024)
Get Vinyl: Gold | Black | Discogs
After vowing to release only five albums under his name, Sturgill Simpson kicks off a new era with Johnny Blue Skies and Passage Du Desir, which stands tall with Metamodern Sounds and Sailor’s Guide as some of his best work. My full review here.
July 17: Japandroids - Celebration Rock (2012)
Get Vinyl: Fire’s Highway | Black | Discogs
Out of nowhere, beloved rock band Japandroids have roared back with a new single, “Chicago,” from what they’re calling their final album, Fate & Alcohol.
Naturally, this had me yearning for their masterpiece, Celebration Rock. This eight-track, no-skip, fist-pumping collection of anthems is pure adrenaline.
While it’s $45 for the beautiful colored version at VMP, you can get it in the $15 range on Discogs.
July 18: Joni Mitchell - The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975)
Get Vinyl: Green | Discogs
I’m very late to the party here, as this is my first time diving into this Joni Mitchell gem, as it’s VMP’s essential record of the month. The Hissing of Summer Lawns is a captivating blend of jazz, funk, and folk. I was surprised to see this was panned by peers and critics upon release, but it has certainly aged like fine wine.
July 19: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram - Live in London (2024)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Greetings from Denver! I’m here to see Vampire Weekend at Red Rocks tonight, and the opener is 25-year-old blues legend in the making, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. I first saw Kingfish open for Vampire Weekend coincidentally back in 2019 in St. Augustine, and he absolutely blew me away.
I was thrilled to find out he just dropped a new live album, Live in London. If you get a chance, definitely check him out on the road. Additionally, I love watching this video of a guitar teacher in awe of Kingfish’s mastery.
July 20: Fleet Foxes - Live On Boston Harbor (2024)
Get Vinyl: Discogs
My wife and I spent the day driving and hiking all over the Rocky Mountains, and the music was in sync with the majestic surroundings. There was a lot of John Denver played, naturally. Another band that comes to mind when I’m in the mountains is Fleet Foxes, so I cranked up their newest live album, a 27-song, two-hour career-spanning delight. The full show is available to watch on YouTube.
If you’re looking to add this to your vinyl collection, prepare your wallet. Released during this year’s Record Store Day, it sold out fast. You’ll need to shell out around $125 on Discogs to get your hands on it now.
July 21: Childish Gambino - Bando Stone and The New World (2024)
No Vinyl Announced Yet
Donald Glover pulled a fast one on us, releasing the original soundtrack to a movie that won’t hit theaters for months. Bando Stone & The New World, the sixth and final album under Glover’s Childish Gambino moniker, doubles as the soundtrack for his upcoming self-directed film.
This album is all over the place and I still don’t know what to make of it yet. I will say, if you’re a fan of rapping ‘Bino, don’t miss “Yoshinoya.” But the real showstopper is the seven-minute epic “No Excuses,” featuring frequent collaborator Ludwig Goransson and sampling Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man.” This track is on another level.
July 22: Los Campesinos! - All Hell (2024)
Get Vinyl: Harvest Moon | Discogs
Dare I say this is Los Campesinos! finest work yet to date? My full review here.
July 23: Los Campesinos! - We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed (2008)
Get Vinyl: Red and Black Marble | Discogs
I’m still in a Los Campesinos! mood and I went back to 2008 where it all started: the seven-piece Wales band dropped two instant classics that year, Hold On Now, Youngster… and We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed. The latter is this month’s Vinyl Me, Please's rock record, available on red and black marbled wax.
July 24: Joyce Manor - Never Hungover Again (2014)
Get Vinyl: Discogs (Teal) | Black
It’s the tenth anniversary of Joyce Manor’s Never Hungover Again, one of 2010’s punk highlights and the California rock band’s musical apex. 10 songs in 19 minutes featuring plenty of strong hooks and catharsis.
July 25: Floating Points & Pharoah Sanders - Promises (2021)
Get Vinyl: Turquoise | Black | Discogs
In 2021, spiritual jazz saxophonist Pharoah Sanders' collaborated with electronic producer/composer Floating Points and the London Symphony Orchestra for a single 46-minute dream-like composition that may cause levitation. This was Sanders final album before passing and the legend went out on a high note.
July 26: Ben Seretan - Allora (2024)
Get Vinyl: Highlighter Yellow | Orange/Bone
My first time listen to New York artist Ben Seretan; I pre-ordered the Allora vinyl based on the strength of the singles alone. Opener “New Air” is an eight-minute guitar jam that's as exhilarating and sprawling as anything I've heard this year.
July 27: Live - Throwing Copper (1994)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Live’s Throwing Copper turns 30 this year, and I have a confession: I had only listened to the ubiquitous radio hits until now. Boy, am I glad I finally dove into the whole album. Throwing Copper is full of powerful crescendos and makes for perfect patio vibes on this fine Saturday evening. This one’s definitely getting added to the record collection.
July 28: Action Bronson - JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACHLAVA THE DOCTOR (2024)
No Vinyl Announced Yet
The NBA is coming back to NBC in 2025 for the first time in 25 years, which hopefully means John Tesh’s iconic “Roundball Rock” will return too.
If NBC goes a different route, allow me to suggest this new Action Bronson and The Alchemist track “NBA LEATHER ON NBC,” my personal fav from the Queens rapper’s new album.
July 29: The Chills - Kaleidoscope World (1986)
Get Vinyl: Blue | Discogs
RIP to The Chills’ frontman Martin Phillipps, who passed away yesterday and is rightly considered one of the GOATs of New Zealand indie music. Kaleidoscope World is a compilation of The Chills’ early singles, and even though it's nearly 40 years old, it sounds like it could have been made today. This timeless collection is a testament to Phillipps’ enduring influence and genius.
July 30: Julien Baker - Sprained Ankle (2015)
Get Vinyl: Rough Seas | Pink | Coke Bottle | Discogs
Julien Baker just self-released a vinyl repress of her debut album in three gorgeous colorways. Sprained Ankle is ultra-personal and bleak, with Julien’s aching voice over her acoustic guitar guaranteed to rip your heart out. I really enjoyed “Vessels” on this re-listen, reminded me of Explosions in the Sky.
July 31: Father John Misty - Greatish Hits: I Followed My Dreams And My Dreams Said To Crawl (2024)
Get Vinyl: Sub Pop Loser | Orange | Bluish | Black
There’s no better way to end the month than a new eight minute banger by Father John Misty. Think Leonard Cohen covering Steely Dan. You can only get this baby on FJM’s new Greatish Hits compilation, out now on streaming and on vinyl August 16th.
Hey friends, thanks for reading and supporting indie music writing! We’ll be back soon with a look at upcoming August vinyl releases.
Sound off in the comments on what you’ve been jamming out too, and if there’s any albums you’d like to me to listen to!
Do me a solid and forward this to the music lovers in your life! 🙌
This is such a formidable monthly list! I love the music you share!
Love these write ups. I’ve been listening to Hotel La Rut by Joanna Wang. Kind of an eclectic Abbey Road medley. Heard of it here https://open.substack.com/pub/johnhalbrooks/p/my-favorite-albums-of-2024-so-far