August Monthly Picks

August went by in a blur, but good music always lingers. As summer closes and we slip into the heavy, humid days of autumn, these are my top 5 tracks from the month.

1. JAM! – BETWEEN FRIENDS

After the sibling duo made it to the quarter finals of America’s Got Talent in 2013, BETWEEN FRIENDS seem to have taken a surprising (but welcome) turn in genre, leaning into the indie sleaze revival that’s taking over 2025.

JAM! is playful, confident, and most importantly, refreshing. I feel as if i describe songs that way far too often, but in an industry so oversaturated and repetitive, it’s the highest compliment I can give.

An example of how a band can reinvent itself and still land somewhere exciting instead of forced.

2. Big time sensuality – Björk

A timeless track that mixes house-inspired beats and her fun vocals, like pure joy bottled into 4 minutes.

While her music may be an acquired taste, I find it impossible not to love Björk. Debut as an album feels ahead of its time and really forward thinking, so much so that this track, even after three decades, hasn’t lost an ounce of its energy (at least to me, but I wasn't even born so maybe I don't get a say in the matter).

3. Aisatsana [102] – Aphex Twin

I fall asleep to this song nearly every night. Not in the boring way, but because it quiets my mind almost instantly (which is very hard to do).

Here, Aphex twin leans into his softer side. He offers a sense of stillness, reminiscent of a simple, brisk, early morning, sampling birds chirping over a haunting, delicate piano loop.

While Aphex Twin isn't for everyone, he's nothing short of a genius and a pioneer in the music industry.

4. oh baby – LCD Soundsystem

One of James Murphy’s more tender tracks, its the perfect opening to American Dream. I’m not a particularly seasoned listener of LCD Soundsystem, but I’ve been trying to get more into them and this track has been a great introduction alongside Dance Yrself Clean.

oh baby feels melancholic yet warm, synth-heavy and narrating a rough break-up. A mixture of hope and desperation.

5. JUST LIKE WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE – SOPHIE

SOPHIE’s second appearance on my monthly favourites, but I couldn’t help but mention this song. 10 years after its release, it takes on a completely new meaning after her tragic passing.

Narrating a rekindled relationship, this track is melancholic while perfectly capturing the feeling of nostalgia.

It’s both a celebration and a heartbreak, a reminder of her unmatched vision and the void she left behind.