New Music: Rita Ora, Kool & the Gang, Birdy, Michael Bolton, and More
The biggest albums dropping on July 14
From the LifeMintue.TV Team
July 14, 2023
Summer's latest albums drop from Rita Ora, Kool & the Gang, Bastille, Birdy, Michael Bolton, Alana Springsteen, and Voyager.
Alana Springsteen – TWENTY SOMETHING: Figuring It Out
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Alana Springsteen debuts the second installment of her three-part album, TWENTY SOMETHING: Figuring It Out. It follows TWENTY SOMETHING: Messing It Up, released in March. The newly signed artist to Columbia Records NY/Sony Music released a set of independent EPs, History of Breaking Up (Part One) in 2021 and History of Breaking Up (Part Two) in 2022. The 22-year-old says TWENTY SOMETHING will pick up where History of Breaking Up (Part Two) left off.
Bastille – Bad Blood X (10th Anniversary Edition)
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the album, UMR has worked with Dan Smith to produce a gatefold sleeve packaging, a colored LP (colored vinyl). This will also include a brand new 7” vinyl with two never-before-heard demos, “RACING HEART” (Laura Palmer Demo)/ “POET” (Dan’s Bedroom Demo), located in Dan’s parents' loft, and a 16-page 12×12 book featuring new artwork, notes from each band member, and unseen images. The artwork will feature handwritten annotations and track-list from Dan too. Inside the gatefold will also be a 12×12 two-sided insert with an alternative cover and unseen image.
Birdy – Portraits
UK multi-platinum singer-songwriter Birdy is back with her fifth studio album. At just 26 years old, her achievements to date include 3 top 5 albums and countless Platinum and Gold certifications, exceeding sales of 8 million records globally. Described as “her most confident album yet," Portraits features Birdy’s “timeless songwriting style now infused with a fresh, exuberant rush of energy and inventive, off-kilter production flourishes.”
Kool & the Gang – People Just Wanna Have Fun
The R&B, funk, and soul return with their 34th studio album, People Just Wanna Have Fun. With six decades of hits, the internationally celebrated group continues to tour the world. The band is led by founding members Robert "Kool" Bell (bassist) and George "Funky" Brown (keyboardist, drummer, and producer of this album). Their latest collection features some of the last studio work by founding horn players Kool's brother Ronald "Khalis" Bell and Dennis "D.T." Thomas, who passed in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Lead vocals on the album also include Sha Sha Jones, Shawn McQuiller, Lavell Evans, Dominique Karan, Rick Marcel, and Walt Anderson, plus rappers Ami Miller & Ole'. Both Bell and Brown view the new record as “a summation of their long career," during which they sold 70 million albums worldwide with hit singles like "Celebration," "Ladies Night," and "Get Down on It."
Michael Bolton – Spark of Light
Having recorded more than 20 studio albums in his storied career, Bolton returns to his songwriting roots with this first-ever album of all original songs, co-written by Michael and some of today’s most successful writers and producers. Michael worked with contemporary writers, producers, artists, and DJs, including Walk The Moon frontman Nicholas Petricca, Zac Barnett (American Authors), Justin Jesso (songwriter and featured singer on "Stargazing" with Kygo), producer Tushar Apte (Demi Lovato, ZAYN, Nicki Minaj, Adam Levine, Noah Cyrus) and many more for the 10-track record. The first single, "Beautiful World," debuted during NBC's American Song Contest and was also performed during the CBS primetime airing of the Daytime Emmys Awards.
Rita Ora – You & I
Following her 2018 album Phoenix, Rita Ora returns with her brand-new album You & I, featuring singles “You Only Love Me” and “Praising You”. With a co-writing credit on every track, this album is the British singer and songwriter’s “most diaristic project yet and pays homage to her own eclectic tastes.”
Voyager – Fearless In Love
The Australian progressive metal band drops their most “epic electro progressive power pop metal to date” with their brand-new album Fearless in Love. A mix of 80s synthpop meets modern progressive metal, the album features their most infectious and anthemic work yet – featuring the Eurovision favorites "Promise" (only on CD and digital versions) and "Dreamer" as well as many other catchy songs.