AMINE hero

13 Months of Sunshine Marks a New Season for Aminé

With fresh beats and breezy production, the future, once again, is looking bright for the Portland-born rapper. 

by Adriel Smiley

After getting the world two-stepping with KAYTRAMINÉ, his 2023 collaboration with Kaytranada, Aminé returns with 13 Months of Sunshine—his first solo album in four years. The Grammy-nominated rapper, singer, and songwriter builds on the dance-forward energy of that project, diving deeper into lush, atmospheric production with help from Pasqué, Loukeman, Buddy Ross, and Jim-E Stack.

While Aminé still raps throughout, this is far from a traditional rap album. Instead, he leans into melody, pace, and sonic texture, crafting a project that feels fluid and free. Longtime fans have heard glimpses of this sound before, but here, he fully commits. The result is a confident, cohesive collection that feels fresh without losing his signature charm.

Lyrically, Aminé remains sharp and clever, but it’s his restraint that impresses most. Even over high-tempo beats, he never overcrowds the mix. Standout track “Doing the Best I Can” slows the pace, offering rare vulnerability and giving the record an emotional anchor.

With 13 Months of Sunshine, Aminé proves that artistic evolution doesn’t mean abandoning what makes you unique. He leans into his strengths and experiments without losing focus. It’s a reminder that Aminé isn’t just riding the wave; he’s creating a lane of his own