The Album of the Summer is no more, but if I were picking this year I would probably choose  Aurora’s album “All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend.” This young Norwegian has recruited many happy warriors with the infectious songs on her debut album.

In addition, several previous AOTS winners have new albums out or arriving soon. Fountains of Wayne appear to be on hiatus, but front man Chris Collingwood has released a new solo album called “Look Park.” It is full of breezy pop songs that FOW fans will thoroughly enjoy.

Andrew Bird’s latest album “Are You Serious” features “Left Handed Kisses,” a duet with Fiona Apple. Lisa Hannigan’s “At Swim,” produced by Aaron Dessner of The National, is streaming now on NPR prior to release on August 19th. Regina Spektor’s “Remember Us to Life” goes on sale September 30th. If you have not already done so, you should listen to her recent cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” done for the the animated movie “Kubo and the Two Strings.” I will embed the YouTube video below.  Finally, Bell X1’s new album, “Arms,” arrives on October 14th.

Here is Aurora's "Conqueror." It will make you want to dance:

Here are Andrew Bird and Fiona Apple playing out the conflict between romantics and rationalists in "Left Handed Kisses":

This is "Ora" from Lisa Hannigan's new album, "At Swim," to be released on August 19th.

Here is a live video of "Look Park" doing "Aeroplane." Look Park will begin a national tour with a show on August 27th at Look Park in Northhampton, MA. Chris Collingwood's home town.

This is Regina Spektor's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" from the movie "Kubo and the Two Strings":

Finally, here is the official video for "The Upswing" from Bell X1's forthcoming album "Arms."

That's all for now.

—SV