Well, a year back from now it all seemed hazy and felt like music was gone for a considerable amount of time. Tours were canceled, clubs were shut, and album releases were pushed for an eternity. It was a time when we needed music the most, but perhaps destiny has other plans prepared for us. But now it’s a New Year and we’re trying to get out there, in the woods. Even though the problem exists, there’s no denying that our favorite artists have managed to provide us the perfect escape we all need at this hour.
Spring 2021 is here and there are a lot of scopes for us to be hopeful. The artists if not all have geared up to release new albums and thankfully there’s a ton of amazing music awaiting our listen. So, without wasting any more time, let’s find out the Top 10 albums that we must pay our ear to.
- ANDY STOTT: NEVER THE RIGHT TIME
Release Date: 16th April
Just after the release of his 2019’s project, It Should Be Us, UK electronic producer Andy Stott was on the verge of completing his then-new album Never The Right Time during early 2020. But due to the much known COVID-19 situation, the release of the project came to a standstill. Andy completed the album in late 2020 and is all set to release the full record on April 16, 2021. The album includes nine tracks and Scott believes that the project encompasses something really beautiful and organic that sparked his interest in the first place. In March, he had dropped the first new single ‘the beginning’ that features the exotic vocals of Alison Skidmore. Stay tuned for enjoying a roller coaster of quite a thick and dense production.
- THE ARMED: ULTRAPOP
Release Date: 16th April
The Armed is all pumped up to return with their new album ULTRAPOP, available on April 16th. This is the fourth album set to be dropped by the hardcore collective. Recently, the band has shared a video for their latest song ‘ALL FUTURES’ that have been recorded live in the studio. The album features work from Mark Lanegan and Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen and have been co-produced by the band’s own Dan Greene in partnership with Ben Chisholm. What the audience can expect is tuning into extremities of sonic impulsion that includes the sounds of metal and other heavy counter-culture musical sub-genres that holds their root in the pop genre. As with all other records dropped by The Armed so far, the album can only be expected to be magnificent of all things beautiful, intense, and cultural.
- AROOJ AFTAB: VULTURE PRINCE
Release Date: 23rd April
A new-age composer and singer based out of Brooklyn Arooj Aftab are rushing to release her next project post the drop of her two new singles from the album titled ‘Last Night’ and ‘Mohabbat’. Both the songs blur the lines between traditions and musical genres. It talks about relationships, friendships, and people. Speaking on the project, the Pakistani composer said that the album’s lead song is ‘Mohabbat’ and the album as a whole speaks about revisiting places that she once called hers. It’s about the relationships that blossomed unexpectedly for a short period and learning ways to deal with them. As had happened in her previous projects, the artist’s fearlessness and technical skill have pushed her to explore unique musical forms and Vulture Prince is her special take on ghazals and poetries that finds the eternal beauty in longing.
- BACHELOR: DOOMIN’ SUN
Release Date: 28th May
It was in February when Palehound’s Ellen Kempner and Jay Son’s Melina Duterte had joined hands under the name of Bachelor. After the release of their single ‘Anything at All’, the indie-rock singer-songwriter duo confirmed that they intend to carry forward the single to a full-length album and named it ‘Doomin’ Sun’. They have recently unleashed a new single titled ‘Stay In The Car’. Written and recorded pre-pandemic the album is steeped in the bond of friendship. Both the artists have hybridized their uniqueness and specialties to produce a collection that switches between the moods with much ease, and also highlights their lyrical prowess. The album also features contributions from Chastity Belt and Big Thief. Apart from exploring significant themes starting from queerness to change in climate, the special collection also explores the Bachelor’s experiencing unadulterated love and happiness that is shared with a close friend.
- Beabadoobee: Our Extended Play EP
Release Date: Spring
Having released Fake It Flowers last year, singer-songwriter Bea Kristi is all set to mark her return with a new EP named ‘Our Extended Play’ and shares a new track titled Last Day On Earth. The record has been co-written and produced by The 1975’s George Daniel and Matty Healy. The artist explained that the single speaks about all the things that she could be done had she been aware that the world is going to change its course forever. It was written briefly after the announcement of the main lockdown. The album has been recorded on a farm in the countryside and shows the singer experimenting with her sonics as she installs a feeling of togetherness in the project.
- BLACK MIDI: CAVALCADE
Release Date: 28th May
Lack Midi is back and this time with an even more hard-core performance as they are all set to drop their next album titled ‘Cavalcade’. ‘John L’ is the leading single from the reputed UK band’s upcoming sophomore album and comes along with a music video produced by Nina McNeely. The initial work for the album was laid back in late 2019. The album is supposedly a hellacious, dark, inventive, and dynamic follow-up to their 2019’s much popular Schlagenheim. The lead single reflects on a black comedy about what necessarily happens to the cult leaders when their respective followers turn their back on them. The chaotic visuals of the track give enough description of what the collection has in store for the audience. Moreover, the band has stated that the record is a culmination of several larger-than-life figures that include an ancient corpse that is found in a diamond mine, a cult leader, and also a cabaret singer named Marlene Dietrich. The sound is natural that is formed after reaching beautiful new heights, pulling wide influences from various musical genres.
- BOMBA ESTEREO: DEHA
Release Date: Spring
It has already been four years since the release of Bomba Estereo’s last album named Ayo. And, now the Columbian band returns with their new project titled ‘Deja’ that is divided into four parts based on the four classic elements namely, Aire, Aqua, Fuego, and Tierra. The band released three new soundtracks and one music video this Tuesday to heighten the anticipation in the audience. The title track of the album is all kinds of crunching and chirping, and the main theme remains upbeat. The video comes from the idea of entering into a parallel universe in which the people find themselves culturing a deeper connection with nature in a more feminine manner. The album is all about the disconnection and connection of human beings, from one’s self and the planet as a whole. It speaks about how everyone is connected and also disconnected from reality due to electronic devices.
- BROCKHAMPTON: ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE
Release Date: 9th April
After roughly four years since their debut, Brockhampton is all set to drop their sixth album titled Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine on the 9th of April that comes along with an added live-streamed broadcast from Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La Studios located in Malibu. It was earlier this month when Brockhampton had released the first official single of the Roadrunner named ‘Buzzcut’ with Danny Brown who appeared in the music video. To build anticipation in the audience, the group teased the fans by launching a trailer that features RZA and Rubin.
- CARDI B
Release Date: TBD
In early February, Cardi B launched her new single and music video ‘Up’ and as per certain news, the lead artist intended to put out an album in 2021 and had almost fifty songs recorded. Since that time, Cardi B has already performed her 2020 hit with Megan Thee Stallion’s‘ WAP’ at the Grammy’s. However, the song is expected to be included in the awards consideration category next year.
- CHAI: WINK
Release Date: 21st May
Japanese group CHAI fuses sleek rock music with eclectic R&B and dance tunes on their new project ‘WINK’, which is supposedly the group’s third album and also the first under the pop genre. For the album WINK, the group ahs for the very first time teamed up with guest artists like Ric Wilson, YMCK, and Mndsgn. Speaking about the album, the lead members said that the persons who wink are the ones who are most pure at heart, and with this album, they are winking at the audience. The album comes accompanied by a playful video to steal the attention. To enhance the anticipation, the group has recently released a new single from the album titled ‘Action’. The song is itself irresistible and the group’s fun-loving energy drills spontaneity into the collection.
