In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on July 17, 2026:
Steve Lacy, Oh yeah?
Steve Lacy’s new album, Oh yeah? – his first since 2022’s Gemini Rights and its No. 1 hit ‘Bad Habit’ – is as easygoing as it is heartrending. Self-written and self-produced, the 10-track effort features SZA on ‘Is It Cool?’, Erykah Badu on ‘Pure Colour’, and Cecile Believe on ‘Lovesexdrugbomb’, a mix of guests that attests to its playful experimentation. Press materials describe it as “the culmination of a four year journey whereupon Steve found himself feeling at home in foreign countries and situations and less at home at home,” as well as “a record for guitar kids who love synths and synth kids who love guitars.”
Yard Act, You’re Gonna Need a Little Music
Yard Act vocalist Jamie Smith characterizes the band’s first two albums as “laptop records essentially,” but You’re Gonna Need a Little Music marks the first time they were able to tap into an uninterrupted flow of creativity. “Says every band ever: We are immensely proud of this record and it is undoubtedly our best work yet,” he said in a press release. “But I know for a fact we have continued to evolve and we have not stagnated. Making music is too much fun and despite darker themes and the overwhelming sense of uncertainty permeating through the heart of this record, we have no doubt that our commitment to crafting this album was nothing but pure and joyous, therefore its intent was and is fully justified.”
Swapmeet, Mount Zero
Swapmeet, an indie rock quartet from Adelaine, Australia, have come through with their debut album, Mount Zero. Soaring and infectious, the record took shape over two weeks at a beach house in Port Noarlunga. “It was a two-story house, and we had people writing upstairs, people recording downstairs, and people playing ping-pong in another room,” the band’s Jack Medlyn recalled. “Everyone was working towards something together, but in their own ways.” Maxwell Elphick added, “We had the beach to stare at, which was awesome. It was like, screen on one side, beach directly on the other. It was like the Swapmeet frat house. We had ripsticks as well. We’d ripstick around the ping-pong table for ages.”
Syd, Beard
Syd’s first solo album in four years has arrived. The Broken Hearts Club follow-up finds the Internet co-founder at her most relaxed and confident, boasting collaborations with collaborations with Raphael Saadiq, Big Sean, Rodney Jerkins, and more. “Beard is a coming of age album for me,” the singer explained. “It’s a snapshot of what my life looks like right now. The title was inspired by the peach fuzz on my upper lip that society has always taught me to hate. I fell in love with my peach fuzz and it made me rethink everything that was supposed to make me feel insecure. It allowed me to take my confidence into my own hands, and own everything that I am and everything I love about myself, regardless of what anyone else thinks.”
The Menzingers, Everything I Ever Saw
In the last three years, the Menzingers vocalist/guitarist Greg Barnett got married and welcomed his first child, while co-frontman Tom May went through a divorce. Those experience coalesce on the band’s eighth album, Everything I Ever Saw, which finds them reuniting with producer Will Yip. “Working with Will was like a homecoming,” May reflected. “We’ve grown up together over these years, and we’re still incredibly close friends. He’s the best at gassing you up and making sure everybody’s on the right page, but he’s also so good at pointing out stuff that might not fit the vision without being a f*cking prick. He’s the hardest working person that we’ve come across in the music industry, and he’s incredibly inspiring.”
Other albums out today:
Gracie Abrams, Daughter From Hell; Quicksand, Bring on the Psychics; Sad13, 1331; Helado Tropical, Helado Tropical; Lido Pimienta, Caribenya; Tricky, Different When It’s Silent; Jad Atoui, It Will Take Forever; Gi Gi, In Lieu; Lesley Mok, Transient.
