Pop & Indie
CONCERT: 4/30- Rachel Platten @ Gramercy Theatre (New York)
My favorite pop-country girlie, Kelsea Ballerini, absolutely killed it on the deluxe version of her recent album “Patterns.” Ballerini, currently just over halfway through her first ever arena tour, gave the fans what they wanted, releasing five new songs including “To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak.” Ballerini had performed this song at Madison Square Garden during her one night only album release show in October. At the time it hadn’t been heard before and she had joked “That’s what happens when you don’t put it on the album Kelsea”. Since that performance fans have learned the words as videos spread and Ballerini has used it as a surprise song a few times during her tour. Similar to her friend, Taylor Swift, Ballerini has included an acoustic surprise song to her set. This song is absolutely gorgeous and it definitely my favorite from the deluxe tracks. These tracks are definitely more country, but the rest of the album could be considered pop-country. The other four songs are also amazing and a few have begun making their way into the new tour setlist. Ballerini debuted “Future Tripping” during her last show on the east coast leg of the Patterns tour. This song is one of the more upbeat songs out of the five deluxe tracks and like the others it’s great. I’ve had this album on repeat since it came out and I could talk about it for hours.
We have previously heard of my thoughts on “Abracadabra” and how I think it would probably be played in a club and we finally have the full album. Gaga’s album “Mayhem” released in early March and the fans are loving it. I’ve gotten a lot of opinions on my TikTok for you page, specifically people relating the vocals and overall sound of “How Bad Do U Want Me” to Taylor Swift. Personally, I don’t hear any similarities but it is one of my favorites from the album and I am a huge swiftie so maybe that means something? Another track I like on this album is “Blade of Grass.” It sounds very different from the rest of the album, it’s definitely softer. The well loved collab with Bruno Mars is also the closing track to this album which I’m happy about. Overall if you regularly listen to Lady Gaga then I’m sure you’ll love this album, otherwise some of the tracks are pretty catchy.
HAIM, a band of three sisters, who I know from features on Taylor Swift songs and opening for the Eras Tour, released a new song called “Relationships.” I haven’t heard much of the group’s music but I did really enjoy this song. I really like the lyrics to this song and it’s definitely pretty catchy. It looks like the sisters may release a new album in 2025.
Cavetown is an artist I’ve learned about through my time in WQAQ but I haven’t really listened to any of their songs. The song “i’m low on gas and you need a jacket” is a cover of a Pierce The Veil song. I think it was still a good introduction to Cavetown for me, I really like his voice so I’ll probably listen to more of his music.
Another single from Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s upcoming album was released in early March. The song is titled “Swing For The Fences” and it is soooo fun! The beginning just makes you want to dance and that energy stays throughout the song. Their voices work so well together and I think this album is going to be really good. I definitely recommend listening if you like either artist or are just looking for something really fun!
Punk & Alternative
CONCERT: 5/14 – The Wrecks @ Brooklyn Steel
Mother Mother released a new single on March 14. The band’s first single to promote the band’s newly announced tenth studio album, “Nostalgia” that comes out in early June. The song is a mix of classic Mother Mother sound, with some new slam-style lyricism in the middle. The song invokes the feeling the album describes, while als putting a newer twist on the band’s sound. I really enjoyed the track, and I think it was a super strong choice to be the first single the band released.
New Jersey alt-rock band Phoneboy released a new single on March 13, titled “Red Wine.” Having debuted in 2021, this single is the third released from the band’s upcoming third album, “Heartbreak Designer.” The song is incredibly synth heavy, leaning towards echoing tones and vocals rather than grating guitar riffs and gritty instrumentals. While fan opinions are mixed about the single, it is incredibly catchy and has an energy about it that screams that it, and the album its on, are going to be a hit.
Diligent readers will be very familiar with the name “Scowl.” A hot topic in my weekly’s recently, Scowl has been rocking the boat in the hardcore scene. Continuing to press the hardcore community’s buttons as their sound evolves. Scowl released a new single, “Tonight (I’m Afraid) on March 4 to moderate success. I like the song more than a few of the other singles, as it has a good mix of harder elements and more melodic sections, the former of which seems to have tied the hardcore fans over for the moment. This song, with its harsher elements, seems to have won the hardcore crowd over marginally more than the band’s previous tracks, which is a step in the right direction as the band moves forward.
Folk & Country
CONCERT: 4/25 – Rodney Crowell @ District Music Hall
Four months ago, Chappell Roan surprised fans with her new pop-country song, “The Giver,” on Saturday Night Live. It was an instant hit, with her signature cheekiness and stage presence her performance left fans wanting more. And on March 13, she delivered. “The Giver” is reminiscent of ‘90s Shania Twain, big hair, small skirts, and a Missouri twang that Roan puts to good use. The song’s message boils down to this: only a woman truly knows how to treat another woman, and those country boys are miles out of their league when it comes to understanding what a woman wants. Chappell Roan has made it clear she isn’t making a country album; she’s simply creating music she loves, and her roots are undeniably country. “The Giver” is her homage to the iconic country women she grew up listening to, of course, with her own signature spin. But if she ever decides to fully dive into the country scene, she’ll always have a place. With its prominent fiddles and unmistakable country twang, “The Giver” stands as a great pop-country staple.
Jack Van Cleaf released his new single, “Smoker,” on March 5. Van Cleaf has made a name for himself in the country scene with his breakout song “Rattlesnake,” which has amassed over 13 million streams on Spotify. Country star Zach Bryan took a liking to the track, posting a video of himself covering it online. Then, at the end of January, Van Cleaf released a new version of “Rattlesnake,” this time featuring Bryan. And I hope Van Cleaf’s new single gets the same kind of love. “Smoker” is a grungy folk song about looking in the mirror and reckoning with who you are, not who you thought you’d be. In the song, Van Cleaf comes to the realization that a habit he picked up in his youth has, to some degree, come to define him. He’s no longer just a rebellious kid sneaking the occasional cigarette, he’s a smoker. “Smoker” is about learning not to judge the person you’ve become, and Van Cleaf delivers this message beautifully. His songwriting continues to be both raw and introspective, and I hope he keeps making meaningful music.
In 2023, Dean Johnson released his debut album, Nothing for Me, Please on his 50th birthday. This album—and I cannot stress this enough—is one of my favorite albums of all time. I’ve listened to it more times than I can count, so when I heard Johnson was releasing a new single, I was over the moon (no pun intended). “Blue Moon” is Johnson’s latest single, released on March 4 as his first under the Saddle Creek label. The song feels like a conversation with an old friend, it’s about the stories that unfold just by looking out your bedroom window. Whether it’s sneaking out for a secret rendezvous or simply listening to life passing by, “Blue Moon” captures a timeless feeling. With the soft sound of pedal steel and Johnson’s acoustic guitar, he creates the signature ambiance that defines all his music, the cowboy crooner and all the memories he holds. Give “Blue Moon” a listen, Johnson and all his work must hear, no skips, folk-country classics.
Hip-Hop & R&B
CONCERT: 4/16 – Dave East @ The Webster
It only took five years, but Playboi Carti has finally delivered “MUSIC.” If you’re a fan of Carti like I am you know how long the road was to get here. From teasing “NARCISSIST” in 2022 to posting what feels like hundreds of fit pics, I feel like I haven’t had a moment of peace. Regardless, the album is finally out and it is a LOT. Carti gave us a whopping 30 songs, rife with superstar features and crazy moments. “MUSIC” is characterized by a new, evolved sound from the punk trap that his 2020 album, “Whole Lotta Red” brought. His voice is consistently deeper, but he still experiments with it throughout.
I thought the first four songs were pretty underwhelming, especially the fourth, “EVIL J0RDAN.” This was a pretty popular leaked song, but Carti made the intro way too long and included elements from TikTok remixes. It’s been pretty badly received by a lot of fans, myself included. There was a standout song from this first section, “CRUSH” with Travis Scott. I think this is a minimum top three song on the album after two full listens, and it’s already poised to be one of Carti’s biggest hits. The way the intro swells with strings and booming choral vocals gives a grand sense of scale, perfect for a live performance.
As we push further into the album, I liked all four of Travis Scott’s appearances on “MUSIC.” I was the most impressed by his production, providing standout beats on this project. The guitars on “PHILLY” bring me right back to Astroworld in 2018, whereas “WAKE UP F1LTHY shows more of Travis Scott’s modern sound. “CHARGE DEM HOES A FEE” is an all-star hit with Future joining Travis Scott and Carti. The way the beat changes for each verse then all comes together at the end was so satisfying. Without a doubt another top five song on the album.
Kendrick Lamar was another major feature artist with three appearances. “MOJO JOJO” and “BACKD00R” were both solid, but nothing crazy or special. On the other hand, “GOOD CREDIT” was one of my favorites, and Kendrick had a fantastic verse. His flow whisks me back to when he dropped “euphoria” this year, since he uses a very similar pattern. Kendrick proclaiming that Carti is his “evil twin” makes me crack up since I never thought I’d ever get a collaboration between them, but I’m so happy to be proved wrong.
There were a few more standout tracks I wanted to touch on before closing this out. Carti’s collabs with The Weeknd this year have been nothing but bangers, and the duo delivers another classic in “RATHER LIE.” The beat reminds me of something A$AP Rocky or other cloud rap/ vaporwave artists might use. This song will be a fun one to hear if you catch The Weeknd’s tour with Playboi Carti this summer. Speaking of the tour, I can already see the pit parting like the red sea when I hear “COCAINE NOSE.” I think a guitar-based beat this heavy can only cause chaos at a live show. While far from my favorite song, I have to shoutout “TWIN TRIM.” The 16*29 reunion between Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti is one I’ve been waiting for since “Die Lit” dropped in 2018, and this one did not disappoint. Uzi sounds like their old self floating on the wavy trap beat, and their chemistry together is off the charts.
If you’re not a fan of Playboi Carti, I can easily see why you wouldn’t listen to this album. It’s oversaturated and some of the songs kind of blend together after listening for a while. I think there are so many diamonds in the rough on this project though. I think if I were to review this album 3-6 months from now my favorite songs would look incredibly different. “MUSIC” is by no means a perfect album, but artists are meant to evolve and change, and Playboi Carti has done just that.
I don’t get to talk enough about Aaron May on the Weekly for how talented an artist he is. The Houston native doesn’t really come across as such, but he takes a lot of elements from the Houston hip-hop scene. His old music, like his 2019 album, “CHASE,” utilizes lots of lofi beats with calm guitars, and more traditional drums. His flows have some variety, but he excels on the songs when he slows down. All of the songs on the new EP, “803Mayjor Vol. 2” had quicker flows, but it totally worked. My favorite song was “More Than A Dream.” May does a little bit more singing over this beat, which sounded really good. The background saxophone makes the song, but it’s so complete and a great kicker to a solid EP. If you’re not tuned into Aaron May before the next album drops, just be ready for when he blows up.
Lil Tecca’s gearing up to save summer for like the tenth time, and this time he might actually get it done with his newest single, “Dark Thoughts.” Lil Tecca is widely known for his trap and melodic rap styles, which fit in perfectly with the production change he undergoes in this song. The beat of this song has been making the rounds on TikTok for the past few weeks, and for good reason. It’s a perfect ode to the early 2000s rap scene and Pharrell, with heavy synths in a variety of fonts and styles. It’s got a fun bounce too, which Lil Tecca takes full advantage of in his flows. This song belongs in your summer rap playlist, and I can say it will definitely be in mine.
While I don’t listen to a ton of Aminé, I do like what I have heard. He had his huge moment from 2017-18, with his two biggest songs, “Caroline” and “REEL IT IN” dropping on back to back albums in the span of just 13 months. Aminé still releases with relative consistency but his last album, “KAYTRAMINÉ,” a collab with EDM icon Kaytranada, came out almost two years ago. The next album is clearly upon us. Aminé is teasing an album drop in a few ways on his Instagram in tandem with the new single, “Familiar.” Kaytranada’s EDM influence has clearly stuck with Aminé, as it’s glaringly obvious in this song. The glitched out synths and vocals give it an interesting hyper-poppy quality too. This is another jam I plan on saving for the summer, just praying I hear it in a club soon.
Surprise, it’s more Freddie in the Weekly! I won’t lie though, this newest single from Freddie Gibbs absolutely floored me. “Nobody” could very well end up being one of his best songs in my opinion. The production style is completely different from his norm, switching the old-school boom bap and sample-heavy coke rap to something happier. The piano totally makes the song, and Freddie’s fast flow complimented it so much better than I thought it would. He doesn’t tend to break that out on a song with a slower beat, so it’s a unique and welcome change. The backing vocals are also phenomenal and maintain the melody through the chorus. If you’ve never taken the Freddie Gibbs recommendation from me seriously, this should be where you tap in.
