Don’t look now, but the house meets hip-hop template Aminé helped to define has taken over the world. The charts are packed with tracks that pilfer from his playbook, while clubs resonate to producers who have clearly pinched a trick or two from his studio. Returning to solo duties after the immense acclaim lavished on his 2023 joint endeavour with close friend Kaytranada, ’13 Months Of Sunshine’ digs down into his roots for a lavish, colourful depiction of his 360 creativity.
A record that feels ultimately defined while also incredibly broad, the producer’s work stretches his palette further than ever. Those lush house chords remain, however, no matter the collaborator – whether working with newgen R&B icon Leon Thomas or left-field Americana doyen Waxahatchee, Aminé is the glue that melds this together.
An adept curator, there’s a slew of highlights on display here. Opener ‘New Flower!’ is sensational, melting Aminé’s studio finesse with the raw soul of Leon Thomas. ‘Sage Time’ is appropriately perfume-esque, a sonorous sonic display that bouquets into something vivid.
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The features are entertainingly eclectic, while ultimately serving the central ethos of the project. There’s little use in inviting Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield unless she’s used effectively, and their collaboration ‘History’ is certainly effective, a startlingly fresh recalibration of her vocals.
Yet ’13 Months Of Sunshine’ is ultimately hugely personal. The title is borrowed from an old Ethiopian marketing slogan from the 70s, and aspects Aminé’s heritage permeate the record as a whole. A song like ‘Be Easier On Yourself’ resonates with understanding, while ‘Doing The Best I Can’ learns to push back against self-doubt.
There’s more than a few surprises here, but the eyebrow-raising Streets sample on ‘Arc de Triomphe’ is certainly up there – a sonic about-turn, it defies the French title to act as a homage to UKG, a fun, emotive club booster.
Never afraid to switch things up, ’13 Months Of Sunshine’ closes with ‘Images’, a song that finds Aminé working alongside 454 and Toro y Moi. Refusing to hem himself in, this multi-faceted artist signs off his potent audio autobiography with a bang.
8/10
Words: Robin Murray
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Aminé – 13 Months Of Sunshine – clashmusic.com
