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(see all)Aminé’s 13 Months of Sunshine: A Journey Through Heritage and Sound
Portland rapper Aminé has returned with his third studio album, 13 Months of Sunshine, released on May 16, 2025. This marks his first solo project since Limbo in 2020 and follows his 2023 collaboration with Kaytranada on Kaytraminé.
The album’s title is inspired by Ethiopia’s unique calendar, which includes 13 months instead of the typical 12. Aminé’s Ethiopian-Eritrean heritage is evident throughout the album, both in its themes and visuals. It’s a deeply personal, sonically expansive, and culturally rich project that stands as one of his most ambitious releases yet. The phrase also draws inspiration from 1960s–70s Ethiopian tourism campaigns, which used “13 Months of Sunshine” to advertise the country’s year-round sunshine to the world.
Recorded in the serene surroundings of a studio in Mexico City, the album allowed Aminé to step away from the commotion of everyday life and dive into introspection. The setting influenced the relaxed, yet deeply textured vibe of the album, allowing him to tap into both nostalgia and innovation. The music embraces a hybrid of sounds—neo-soul, indie rock, electronic funk, and hip-hop—all layered with the warmth of sunshine paired with lyrical depth and playfulness.
Aminé has never shied away from exploring different genres and collaborating with a wide array of artists, and 13 Months of Sunshine is no different. This album features a lineup that feels curated with care—each guest appearance compliments Aminé’s vision rather than overpowering it. Leon Thomas III opens the project with his silky R&B vocals on “New Flower!”, setting a rich, soulful tone. Lido, the Norwegian producer known for his genre-blending style, adds an electronic edge to the emotionally resonant “Cool About It.” Waxahatchee, an indie folk-rock mainstay, brings haunting harmonies to “History,” giving the track an unexpected and beautiful twist. Rising hip-hop artist chlothegod injects rawness and urgency into “Changer,” while 454 and Toro y Moi join forces on the dreamy closer “Images,” blending lo-fi rap with psychedelic textures. These features don’t just serve as guest spots—they’re part of the narrative. Each collaborator brings their own sunshine, helping Aminé paint a world that feels as rich in feeling as it is in sound.
This is an album that doesn’t just ask to be heard—it asks to be experienced. Whether you’re dancing to “Vacay” or reflecting on “Be Easier On Yourself,” the project provides an emotional spectrum that few artists manage to capture in a single body of work.
For fans who’ve grown with Aminé since his “Caroline” days, 13 Months of Sunshine feels like a homecoming and a leap forward all at once. It’s a reminder that sunshine isn’t just weather—it’s a state of mind.
alldaywes rating: 5/5 Aminé delivers a confident and emotionally rich album that shines with cultural depth, artistic growth, and vivid storytelling. It’s his most fully realized project yet—a true reflection of his evolution as both a musician and a storyteller.