Jamie Lidell

Lidell is back and refreshed, conquering things in his way and smashing them with catchy, bass-driven hooks. It's clear through the lyrics that he's vulnerable and all about love, but lets the music lift him, and you, up for the ride. Because Lidell mixes funk, soul and rock, he gets a texture that treats the body and the mind. And because he mixes them, he's also able to capture certain eras that seem odd coming back, but he gets it right and makes it modern ― there are moments that feel like '90s music videos, Michael Jackson dance moves or (strangely) Sesame Street block parties. And it's all ridiculously enjoyable. Lidell recruited Beck, Feist, Chris Taylor, Gonzales, James Gadson and more for production and recording work, and you can feel where they've dipped themselves in, especially Beck's producing. It's a great summer album to add to your list.