The Verge's music critic Terrence O'Brien reviews *Conclave*, an album capturing the sound and energy of a New York City summer block party. O'Brien opens with a vivid personal memory from June 2022—a difficult day when he was struggling emotionally, contending with oppressive heat and exhaustion. The review uses this moment of vulnerability as a framework for exploring how the album bridges despair and the uplifting social energy of urban summers.

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