MUSIC SOOTHES THE SOUL, MAKES MEMORIES, AND PROVIDES A SOUNDTRACK FOR OUR LIVES. ENJOY THE BEST OF THIS SUMMER’S TUNEFUL SELECTIONS

BY LAURA D.C. KOLNOSKI

BIGGER LOVE, JOHN LEGEND
Legend recruited fans to submit videos for inclusion in his feel-good music video for this new album, which also includes his model wife Chrissy Teigen, tots Luna and Miles, healthcare workers, and dancing families. The EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony Awards) winner called his latest work, “a celebration of love, joy, sensuality, hope, and resilience; the things that make our culture so beautiful and influential.”

LIFE ON THE FLIP SIDE, JIMMY BUFFETT
Earth’s favorite tropical troubadour renews his license to chill with this new studio production – his first in seven years on his independent label, Mailboat Records. Produced by longtime Coral Reefer Band members Michael Utley and Mac McAnally, it contains 14 new songs, including the breakout single “Down At The Lah De Dah.” The CD includes a 60-page booklet featuring exclusive content, including Buffett’s always interesting stories behind the songs.

HOT SHOT 2020, SHAGGY
Sting joins Shaggy on a new version of “Angel,” marking the 20th anniversary of the release of Hot Shot, the Reggae singer’s 10-millionselling album. The pair won a Grammy in 2019 for their album 44/876. Sting also appears on the song “Primavera.” New tracks join modernized versions of “It Wasn’t Me” and “Boombastic.” Turbocharging the fun, Shaggy also covers Eddy Grant’s ‘80s classic “Electric Avenue” and The Little Mermaid’s “Under the Sea.”

HATE FOR SALE, THE PRETENDERS
Lead singer Chrissie Hynde and her bandmates released this new album’s title track and lead single “The Buzz” early to keep the buzz going for its July 17 release. “We all love punk, so it would be fair to say that Hate for Sale is our tribute to the punk band I considered the most musical of the genre – the Damned.” This is the first Pretenders album to be written collaboratively between Hynde and guitarist James Walbourne.

LOOK FOR THE GOOD, JASON MRAZ
“It always seems impossible until it’s done. Look for the good in everyone” are the optimistic lyrics to the title tune on Mraz’s latest platter. The accompanying video combines nature scenes with everyday people. Produced at the singer’s Southern California home studio, the album features Jamaican reggae star Sister Carol and comic actress Tiffany Haddish. Mraz said in a statement: “My hope is that this album inspires others to look at these dark times and witness the good that human beings are doing for their families and for each other.”

BRIGHTEST BLUE, ELLIE GOULDING
The British pop songstress releases her fourth album this July via Interscope Records. The 18-track LP will have two sides, “Brightest Blue” and “EG.0,” and features collaborations with serpent with feet, black bear, Lauv, Diplo, and more. Goulding told Rolling Stone the first half reflects her vulnerability and acknowledges a complex world, while the second half “encapsulates my confident, brave, and fearless side, and features all my recent collaborations with the least likely, exciting, and eclectic group of other artists.”