7 Underrated New Albums You Need to Listen To This August

2024 has been quite the year for new music. Pop music has had a massive resurgence with the rise of queer pop icon Chappell Roan and Charli XCX making waves with her critically acclaimed album Brat.

Beyond the sphere of radio hits, there have been a plethora of incredible releases this year that have yet to get the appreciation they deserve.

This list is a handful of some of the best underrated albums from this year so far.

1. Impossible Light – Uboa (Dark Ambient, Noise)

The second album from Uboa creates terrifying and hellish soundscapes unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. Similar to her previous work, this album juxtaposes ambience and harsh noise to evoke intense emotion and delve into emotional themes. It’s heavy, droning and absolutely haunting. I highly recommend to fans of artists like Dissolve and Divide or Lingua Ignota.

2. Mahogakko – Hakushi Hasegawa (Glitch Pop/Experimental)

This album is a bombardment of strange, squeaky and playful sound. Mahogakko is completely hectic and unpredictable, entirely original in the way it plays with noise. Each song is frantic and ever-changing, but the album feels fully realized and cohesive in its unique sound. The album sonically engulfs and overwhelms the listener, driven by layers of electronic chaos. I highly recommend this album to fans of Animal Collective and their album Feels, or Act II by Kikuo Hana.

3. Diamond Jubilee – Cindy Lee (Psychedelic Pop, Lo-Fi Indie)

Cindy Lee’s newest album is a hazy, dreamy guitar driven vintage treat. It often sounds like muffled velvet underground B-sides playing two rooms over. The inspiration from sixties psychedelia and early alternative rock feels nostalgic without being a rip-off. The fresh and interesting instrumentation makes this a really memorable album. This is the perfect relaxing rock album to put on during a lazy summer day.

4. Iechyd Da – Bill Ryder-Jones (Chamber Pop, Singer-Songwriter)

Iechyd Da is filled with rich and emotional instrumentation, heartbreaking lyricism and low, melancholic vocals. Bill Ryder-Jones is a talented multi-instrumentalist, with a catalogue of incredibly underrated music. This newest release is some of his best work, a near-perfect breakup album. I recommend to fans of artists such as Sufjan Stevens, Father John Misty or Gruff Rhys.

5. Closer to Death – Salt+ EP (Shoegaze)

This EP from up and coming LA Shoegazers Salt+ is a very overlooked release from this year. This album perfectly blends the melancholic, droning quality of Slowdive ballads with head-banging heaviness in their hooks. Plus, this album comes with a side of hard techno, closing out with a rave-ready remix. I highly recommend to fans of Wisp and other nu-gaze artists.

6. Un-American Activities – Molly Nilsen (Synth Pop)

Un-American Activities is a fun and fresh synth pop album; offbeat and discordant, harking back to 80s synth pop classics. Nilsen’s laid back, deadpan vocals pair well with her poignant political lyricism. The danceable synth melodies on this album are bound to be adored by fans of artists like New Order or John Maus.

7. Sentir Que No Sabes – Mabbe Fratti

Guatemalan vocalist and cellist Mabbe Fratti returns with a beautiful album unlike anything I’ve ever heard. Her vocals are enchanting, paired with experimental genre-defying instrumentation. The album ranges from hauntingly dissonant to dreamy and orchestral.

It is so important to keep up with new releases and to continue to support small and up and coming artists. Hopefully you have found a new album to check out, or maybe even a new favorite!