--- title: "The Shortlist – August 20, 2016" url: https://altwire.net/shortlist-august-20-2016/ author: "Altwire Staff" published: 2016-08-21T00:25:20+00:00 updated: 2026-11-11T03:23:53+00:00 categories: ["News"] tags: ["Atmosphere", "bon iver", "Folk & Country", "Pop"] source: "AltWire (altwire.net)" --- # The Shortlist – August 20, 2016 *By Altwire Staff · August 20, 2016* Summer isn't over yet and some of the most hotly anticipated albums of 2016 are still to come. This week's shortlist of the best new releases is chock-full of preview tracks and feel-good summer jams so grab a beer, hit the patio, and press play. **![Cover art with the red text "Bon Iver" on interlocking black and cream curves, with a gold circle, gold bar and gold symbol](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/29d3ad19556c6a8396197af38b4d97fae5ee5e3c-150x150.jpg) Bon Iver - 22 (OVER S∞∞N)** After 5 years of other projects, Justin Vernon and company have a new album, *22 , A Million,* coming out in late September. This new single and it's B-side, "10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⚄ ⚄", make for a nice teaser of the chilled-out, glitchy electronic influenced sound we might hear from the group's next effort. **![Abstract artwork of red, yellow, green and blue shapes on black, with hand-lettered text: Mike Taylor, Electric Church](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/e6a501acc6638413248b81f9eafc79474e063c71-150x150.jpg) Mike Taylor - Electric Church** Mike Taylor doesn't have a ton of recorded material under his belt, but it's clear that he's got soul and flair. This upbeat track is a fun jam that's guaranteed to get feet moving and heads bobbing. It's sure to fit right into your summer party playlist. **![Cover for De La Soul's "Greyhounds" feat. Usher: bubbly gray, blue and tan lettering in a circle on cream](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/52aeb8f7073aed4025d35c10557185082b8a6cbd-150x150.jpg) De La Soul - Greyhounds (Feat. Usher)** De La Soul have long been a staple of alternative hip-hop alongside crews like A Trie Called Quest and The Pharcyde. After a long hiatus they are gearing up for a brand new album and dropping singles left and right. The releases so far have shown a more mellow side of the group with a strong focus on lyrics and storytelling. The new album *A**nd The Anonymous Nobody...* is due out on August 26th. **![Cover for The Shadowboxers' Build the Beat: concentric white squares around a small multicolored circle on black](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/a40da1661b5e2953fc229db922cdc0225067b4c6-150x150.jpg) The Shadowboxers - Build The Beat** Heavily influenced by upbeat soul and 80's pop rock, the Shadowboxers deliver feel-good power pop like this one. Groovy synth sounds and a hefty helping if blaring horns drive the song and leave you wanting to put it on repeat. **![Black-and-white portrait of a stubbled man in a pale T-shirt, glancing aside against a dark textured backdrop](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dc4fe1571e2a828e499a5b5f6e0c58f2b07f2c01-150x150.jpg) The Tallest Man On Earth - Rivers** Swedish singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson AKA The Tallest Man On Earth gained fame with intricate arrangements, lo-fi recordings, and cryptic imagery. With his more recent material, "Rivers" included, he has brought a fuller sound and a touching lyrical sensibility. This one is for calm nights and serene locations. **![Fishing Blues album cover by Atmosphere: a man in a number 10 football jersey holds a helmet on a lakeside beach](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/217446f27dfc6ec7de94880f69ccfc7cd58ea46b-150x150.jpg) Atmosphere - Ringo** Super-prolific Rhymesayers veterans Ant and Slug have a brand new album out. This smirk-y lead single delivers the kind of clever, lighthearted jabs at society Slug has become known for over a sunny instrumental. It's a sing-along rap song served up with a wink and a nod. **![Album cover for Big Gigantic's Brighter Future: collage of flowers, city streets and a woman in orange sunglasses](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0e344c0bd944d03b6831333b9bc48e060f7fde3e-150x150.jpg) Big Gigantic - Got The Love (Feat. Jennifer Hartswick)** Boulder Colorado based electronic duo Big Gigantic is building buzz for their new album *Brighter Future.* Jennifer Heartswick's soulful vocals anchor this fast paced track and the bold horn accents make for a fun and unique sound that's more than just EDM. **![Grouplove's Big Mess album cover: colorful scribbled drawing of pink hands with red nails, white band name across it](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/850c2f2c1a23270c1ebeb1c29b19160a767bc6aa-150x150.jpg) GROUPLOVE - Do You Love Someone** GROUPLOVE has generally occupied the same musical space as Passion Pit or Fitz and the Tantrums, but this single finds them diverting from their tried-and-true synthpop sound and into something more guitar based. The group as a whole sounds more powerful and ready to break free from the niche they once filled. Perhaps with their upcoming album the band will be trying to bring out a more unique sound and pushing themselves outside the box. **![Cartoon album cover reading Wilco and Schmilco: a grid of green panels showing a man, a girl, a plug socket and a shock.](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ae18ea7edd088bc98672f546bbd5fcc8f40a8ca8-150x150.jpg) Wilco - If I Ever Was A Child** Barely making it under the wire for the week, Wilco shared this new song off of their upcoming album *Schmilco* just yesterday*.* The song takes on an acoustic, roots-Americana sound that the band most fully explored on their 2009 self-titled album. Jeff Tweedy's songwriting seems as strong as ever and this light, pleasant track makes for a good teaser and a good song to watch the sunset by. **![Teal cover art labeled "Nick Grant, Get Up": a man in a brimmed hat and striped shirt beside a gold vintage microphone](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/6b77945fcb5f23834a6fb77e4ea1fdc2935778f3-150x150.jpg) Nick Grant - Get Up (Feat. WatchTheDuck)** South Carolina's Nick Grant just dropped this funky-soul track featuring classic southern hip-hop and fast, sharp lyrical delivery. A relative newcomer to the rap scene, Grant is bold, confident, and sounds like he's having an awesome time on the mic. It's a great recipe for a killer summer hip-hop jam. **Listen to the playlist below and follow Altwire for more** https://open.spotify.com/user/altwiremusic/playlist/5R7bNIGvRUT3MqM1bL5BRS *all photos from Spotify* --- From AltWire: https://altwire.net/shortlist-august-20-2016/