And just like that, we’ve gone through the first two months of 2024. March and April is going to be an INCREDIBLE time for music, with releases to look forward to from major players like Taylor Swift (obvi), Kacey Musgraves, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Bleachers, and Vampire Weekend (very Staged Haze coded, if you ask me).
Noteworthy album & EP releases:
Girl With No Face, Allie X
What Now, Brittany Howard
Desire, I Want To Turn Into You: Everasking Edition, Caroline Polachek
little vice, Cavetown
A Year In Glassland, Chaz Cardigan
Adult Contemporary, Chromeo
What Happened To The Beach?, Declan McKenna
From The Next Room, Devon Gabriella
Where we’ve been, Where we Go from here, Friko
How Have You Been?, Giant Rooks
I Exist Because You Say So, Hana Eid
The Past Is Still Alive, Hurray For the Riff Raff
Traumatic Livelihood, Jazmin Bean
Quitter, Katelyn Tarver
Prelude to Ecstasy, The Last Dinner Party
Digital Artifacts, L. Devine
Weird Faith, Madi Diaz
LOVE IN STEREO, MAX
Loss of Life, MGMT
GLOW EP, Michelle
Faith Crisis Pt 1, Middle Kids
This Is A Reminder That You Are Not Behind Your Face, Mindchatter
BEACON, morgxn
Two Star & The Dream Police, Mk.gee
PRATTS & PAIN, Royel Otis
starsdust, Runner
Your Mother’s Name, Susannah Joffe
The Thing Is, The Thing
Stranger, Willow Avalon
VENUS, Zara Larrson
In chronological order:
“Cigarettes & Wine” – Del Water Gap, Holly Humberstone
Release Date – January 31 (Close enough to February 😉)
I can’t even begin to explain how excited I was for this song to come out, and how it is already one of my favorites of the year – yes, they put two of my favorite people ever together in the same track, which means I might’ve loved it even if it was extremely mid, sure. But lucky for you, and for me, and for everyone, that’s not the case!
Holden, aka Del Water Gap, hinted at the collaboration on Instagram, hiding the featured artist’s name and only showing their initial: H. And the entire fanbase immediately (and naturally) lost it because we just knew it had to be Holly. Both artists are also well known for their uninhibited, casual, and earnest lyrics, so it’s no surprise that “Cigarettes & Wine” came to be.
On top of that, for those who may not know, the two actually toured together back in 2021, when both of them were still on the come ups of their careers, so this was a long time coming when you think about it. Both Holly and Holden have a sort of velvety touch on their vocals, and they just work so so well together. They both seem to encapsulate the same level of vulnerability and sensuality, making their voices sound so fitting and complimentary of one another. It’s truly an incredible song, and I hope it brings them both new listeners because they deserve it <3 – Javi
“MAGIC” meija ft. JAWNY
Release Date – February 2
February was truly a great month for collaborations, at least if you have immaculate musical taste. Former Echosmith brother, Jamie Sierota, has been putting out solo music for over four years now, and he’s quietly populated indie and alternative playlists under the anagram meija as his stage name. After releasing his debut album Do Ya? in March of last year, he’s already begun to work on what seems to be a new project. For the third single of this new era, he enlisted the help of fellow indie-pop artist JAWNY.
Similar to how Del Water Gap and Holly Humberstone work so well because of their voices and songwriting style, meija and JAWNY shine well next to each other, but their resemblance can be found in other areas. Both of them have a more experimental approach to production, with hyper-pop strokes and dissonant instrumentals. On “MAGIC,” the essences of both artists blend super nicely with each other, all while still maintaining the fun and kind of out-of-pocket (in the best way possible!) energy that they always bring out.
While JAWNY has gotten some recognition with his viral hit “Honeypie” and his 2023 debut album, meija has gone mostly under the radar –maybe even on purpose considering he left his siblings’ band to focus on being a dad!– but maybe the collaborations on this new project will make a difference. – Javi
“Deeper Well” – Kacey Musgraves
Release Date – February 8
Just days before Kacey released her first new (original) song since 2021’s star-crossed album, I was under the impression that she was still in a relationship. Unbeknownst to me, that relationship has been over for quite some time and rumors have been floating around that it didn’t end well. That definitely made me start to brainstorm what the new album would sound like, considering Space Cowboy was inspired by the love that Musgraves shared with her now ex-husband, musician Ruston Kelly, and its follow up, star-crossed, was about the marriage’s demise.
With that being said, it’s been a fast realization for fans that Deeper Well (the song and album, which is out on March 15), is about healing and coming to terms with how one’s life changes as they get older. The lead single, “Deeper Well,” perfectly encapsulates what I think the rest of the album will discuss: the dissolution of relationships, evolving from bad habits, and finding a deeper purpose.
“I just think that maybe / It’s natural when things lose their shine / So other things can glow / I’ve gotten older now, I know / How to take care of myself.”
In a recent interview with The Cut, Musgraves comments on the shift the new project has taken in comparison from her older projects, hoping that her fanbase sticks with her, despite the lack of “popper dance-floor BPM anthems” on the album. She hopes her fans take this album as an opportunity to “sit down, hydrate, reflect responsibly, and get back out there.” – Kristin
“Training Season” – Dua Lipa
Release Date – February 15
Dua Lipa has undeniably solidified her status as one of the biggest pop stars globally, making any move she makes the subject of widespread obsession. In the seven years since her debut album, she has not only weathered minute criticisms, particularly regarding her dancing, but has effectively shattered them. She now stands as a seemingly untouchable force, having carved out a unique space among her peers.
As an avid fan, I find myself so dedicated that I’m part of her SMS mailing list, affording me the privilege of hearing a snippet of “Training Season” a day before its Instagram tease. Similar to her previous single “Houdini,” this track was crafted by the same team, including the noteworthy Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker. The song’s inspiration stemmed from a string of mediocre dates, with “Training Season” articulating her needs from a lover. In an Instagram post, she clarified that the song is both a declaration against instructing men on how to treat her and a testament to her personal growth.
The initial snippet of the song, which eventually became the hook, has been etched into my mind since first listen. Both the hook and the verse are incredibly catchy, a testament to Dua Lipa’s knack for creating instant classics. The accompanying music video places Dua in a spinning cafe, surrounded by potential suitors, exuding an unbothered demeanor as she stirs her tea. The overall alignment and clarity of vision in everything, including the music video, indicate that Dua’s forthcoming album, still shrouded in mystery regarding its release date and title, is undeniably the most anticipated musical offering of the year. – Jesse
“yes, and? with Mariah Carey” – Ariana Grande
Release Date – February 16
Ariana Grande’s lead single from the highly anticipated Eternal Sunshine album soared to great success upon its January debut. Little did anyone anticipate the groundbreaking twist that would unfold this month. The pop sensation surprised fans by announcing a remix featuring none other than her #1 idol, Mariah Carey, just a few days before its release. The short notice only intensified the excitement surrounding this monumental collaboration.
Ariana Grande’s deep admiration for Mariah Carey is well-documented, and while they’ve shared the stage before, this remix takes their musical camaraderie to new heights. Mariah’s iconic whistle tone graces the song’s intro, not held back for a grand reveal but presented right from the start. With both vocal powerhouses in play, this remix showcases two of the best voices in the industry today.
During the second chorus, Mariah injects more riffs, adding an extra layer of vocal finesse. In the bridge, her voice echoes in the background, creating a harmonious atmosphere. The entire collaboration feels like a musical blessing, underscoring the excitement when artists unite with their heroes to enhance the beauty of their art. Imagining the magic that transpired in the studio during this collaboration is truly a wish for any music enthusiast.
Ariana’s decision to incorporate Mariah Carey into the remix was an expert move, resulting in a track that transcends expectations and stands as a testament to the brilliance that unfolds when two legends join forces in the studio. – Jesse
“Your Side, Forever” – Middle Kids
Release Date – February 16
I’m not quite sure if there’s any other music fans out there (fans at the level I consider myself to be) who love music that is self-deprecating and introspective as much as I do. If you’re out there: please reach out. This is exactly the reason why I became an instant fan of “Your Side, Forever” the 11th song off the band’s third album, Faith Crisis Pt. 1. Since their debut release in 2018, the dynamic of the group has changed a bit: lead singer Hannah Joy and guitarist Tim Fitz are now married and share a child together.
In an interview with Apple Music, Fitz mentions the story behind the song: “It’s a song about friendship, and just sticking it out and going the distance with each other. We wanted it to feel really warm and it also has a really beautiful groove. It’s not edgy, but it’s sincere.”
I think the sincerity and the vulnerability of the song is what made it endearing to me: it manages to capture what social anxiety looks like, unpacking childhood trauma, and being uncomfortable with tough conversations.
“These days I’m more impatient with existential conversations / You see signs in everything / I think God will keep me guessing / Is it our big attempt to cope / Are we the world’s most tragic joke?” – Kristin
“yeaaa” – Flyana Boss
Release Date – February 23
The release of Flyana Boss’ newest single, “yeaaa,” is easily the most fun I have had in two minutes and three seconds this year so far. The duo, who we’ve covered extensively since the rise of their song “You Wish” have been making big moves in the hip-hop space for the past several months, earning a spot opening for Janelle Monáe’s ‘Age Of Pleasure’ tour last year and even releasing a remix of “You Wish” with a feature from none other than Missy Elliott.
“yeaaa” is an exceptional example of Bobbi LaNea Taylor and Folayan Omi Kunerede’s clever wordplay, managing to rhyme ‘influenza’ with “influencer,” and “Anita Baker” with “I need a baker.”
“yeaaa” comes ahead of the duo’s upcoming EP, This Ain’t The Album, which drops on March 29. Mentioning the meaning of the song, Flyana Boss said: “Important reminder: we don’t want your man, never wanted your man, never will want your man. But we do love to dance.” – Kristin
“Overcompensate” – Twenty One Pilots
Release Date – February 29
It’s hard to write about this song –or this band, to be fair– without diving into the lore once you’re aware of the lore. And although I am indeed one of the annoying geeky fans that read into every single lyric and frame of a music video, for the sake of not scaring people off I will try my best to refrain from it.
“Overcompensate” is Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun’s follow up to their 2021 record Scaled And Icy, which had seen them step the furthest away from their typical sound. On this track, they return to the type of music that helped them blow up, but it’s not just them backtracking from taking a different direction in their previous album.
This new single is the first one from their new album I Am Clancy, the new chapter in the narrative and universe that the band created with 2015’s Blurryface. And—I hope you’re still with me here—this actually takes a step back to what was Trench (2018), including references and even old lyrics and melodies from it. This leaves Scaled And Icy (2021), their poppiest release to date, in between two much darker projects, and hints at the real meaning of their musical (and visual!) transformation.
I could talk about this for hours to try to get you to care about it, but my point is: if you enjoyed songs from their Blurryface and Trench albums (and if you maybe hated Icy) then you might absolutely love “Overcompensate” and everything that it will (hopefully) bring 🙂 – Javi
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