June 2022 — Playlist Odyssey

Angel Olsen Hits Me ‘Big Time,’ Joan Shelley Enamors With ‘The Spur,’ Grace Ives Explains What The Heck A ‘Janky Star’ Is; and Petrol Girls Fuel My Rage As The U.S. Reverts Back To The 1960s…

By Joshua Gutierrez - Editor

The lasting importance of June 2022, unfortunately, will be the reversal of the landmark ruling Roe V. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court. The tragic disappearance of federal protections to a woman’s right to choose will have untold consequences which I believe will manifest for decades to come.

Like I have with so many of my emotions growing up, music helped me not only work through complicated feelings but helped explain the world. Perhaps it is fitting that my June playlist features primarily female artists.

Perhaps my favorite release this month comes from indie mainstay Angel Olsen and her fabulous dive into the balladry of country music in “Big Time.” With so much of the “country” label blocked off by the mainstream, it’s so refreshing to see the heart of Hank Williams, Don Gibson and Loretta Lynn living through a fearless artist in Olsen.

Keeping on the theme of country music, Kentucky singer-songwriter’s Joan Shelley released an AOTY contender for my Below Radar category with “The Spur.” With tender melodic hooks and intricately fragile storytelling, Shelley quickly transcended any concept of genre and marveled with her ability to connect with relentless beauty.

Grace Ives released a stunning dance record with the versatility of deep introspective subject matter in “Janky Star.” With vibes similar to dance music icon Robyn, Grace Ives feels so unique and prescient in the music world. With the ability to transcend further into the mainstream, currently she is a Below Radar artist with under 400,000 listens on Spotify, I feel like this is an artist to watch in the years to come.

The last album I want to talk about is “Baby” by U.K. punk band Petrol Girls. While this album is by a U.K. band, it holds the unfortunate connection in that it was released on June 24, 2022, which is the day the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe V. Wade. There is no metaphors or gliding by the subject of abortion, the second-class experience women face across the world and its accompanying brutality… this album is a blunt-force weapon.

While May was marked by monumental releases by Kendrick Lamar and Harry Styles, to name a few, June failed to deliver from big artists like Post Malone and Drake. Hopefully, Beyoncé’s late release in July might once again signal large releases to shift momentum across the industry.

Enjoy the micro-reviews of all my “Loves” for June and be sure to check out the playlists below.

Here’s to finding great music in July!