Hotter Than July

Hotter Than July, released in 1980, finds Stevie Wonder blending soul, funk, disco, pop and R&B with touches of reggae and electronic production. The album pairs upbeat, groove-driven songs like "Master Blaster (Jammin')" with intimate balladry such as "Lately", showcases Wonder's multi-instrumental arrangements and lush synthesizer textures, and includes "Happy Birthday", a song written in support of the campaign to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Overall it continues Wonder's use of layered vocals and dense studio production, balancing danceable grooves with personal and social themes.