Spring showers aren’t the only thing March, April and May delivered this year, as music lovers were blessed with a downpour of monumental music releases throughout the last three months. Read on for further details about the fresh releases, including Lana Del Rey’s long-awaited album, “Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd,” Tyler, the Creator’s surprise addition of eight songs to his 2021 album, a debut EP from local band earthship and more.
“10,000 gecs” by 100 gecs
“10,000 gecs,” 100 gecs’ newest release, consists of 10 songs that reach beyond the realm of hyperpop and incorporate elements of new genres for the musical duo, such as heavy metal and hip-hop.
While their first release, “1000 gecs,” was all about testing the boundaries of sound through electronic sound effects, innovative beats and heavily autotuned vocals, “10,000 gecs” leans into lyrical and vocal evolution, as well as a cleaner production style.
Despite this focus, the pair maintains their love for an experimental and sometimes comical approach to music production that they’ve previously established with their brand. This is apparent in songs like “Frog on the Floor” — detailed with the sound of a frog ribbiting throughout the song — and “I Got My Tooth Removed” (or as they say, “I Got my Jooth Removed,” with the use of a lisp in the 3-minute song).
The album is imaginative and evolutionary all the way through, keeping audiences engaged and responsive for all 26 minutes and 53 seconds. “10,000 gecs” fully establishes 100 gecs’ sound, building off the stylistic foundation of their first album and forming one of the most distinguishable hyperpop aesthetics in today’s music landscape.
“do fish cry? (dirt demo)” by earthship
On March 3, local band earthship debuted their music on streaming platforms with their bold EP “do fish cry? (dirt demo).” With addictive electric guitar rhythms and riffs, polished yet powerful vocals and the intentional use of distortion, this project is profoundly memorable and perfectly fit to be the soundtrack of spring in San Luis Obispo and beyond.
Each song embodies distinct emotions and accompanying musical tones to reflect those. “Loose shrew,” the first song on the EP, encomppasses an indie-rock sound while lead singer Caitlyn Shank expresses feelings of resentment and hopelessness in a past romantic relationship. The surf rock tune “doggus boggus” communicates the longing for dog and owner to be able to connect in the same way humans can. Beautiful and cohesive, yet a mere 18 minutes and 31 seconds long, “do fish cry? (dirt demo)” leaves us yearning for more from earthship.
“All of This Will End” by Indigo De Souza
“All of This Will End” is filled with endless passion and grit, compelling backings influenced by rock and electro-pop, vocal excellence and emotional range. De Souza effectively combines sounds to make the album cohesive despite its audible variations.
This album proves to be unique and incredibly thoughtful in its production, as with the song “The Water,” which includes 808 beats and electronic sound effects, trumpets, electric guitar and kicking drums.
“All of This Will End” reflects on De Souza’s childhood and the loss of her younger self. She expresses how all of our experiences, both good and bad, make us who we are.
“CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale” by Tyler, the Creator
With “The Estate Sale,” Tyler, the Creator expands his 2021 album “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” with eight new songs.
Tyler brings in features from A$AP Rocky, Vince Staples and YG for “The Estate Sale.” “DOGTOOTH” immediately gained social media traction and secured its place as the most popular song of the fresh batch with its release in late March.
The deluxe additions sustain the stylistic and thematic elements of the original record, keeping with the adventurous tone of “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” as Tyler details relying on extravagant adventures and a luxurious lifestyle to distract himself from reality — which maybe isn’t so idealistic.
“Special Occasion” by Emily King
Pop infused with R&B and soul beams on “Special Occasion.” Emily King’s effortless vibrato, unique selective enunciation, breathy voice and rich harmonies speak emotion into the tracks.
King provides an emotional rollercoaster of an album, starting off with exceptionally buoyant songs like “This Year” and “Medal,” then unleashing the heart-wrenching lineup of “False Start,” “The Way That You Love Me” and “Home Now.”
Instrumentally, this album spans the musical landscape. With heavy bass, Flamenco-inspired castanets, jazzy electric keyboarding, chiming xylophone and full percussive and orchestral complements, “Special Occasion” asserts its special sound.
“mini mix vol. 3” by Magdalena Bay
Transformative and cathartic, Magdalena Bay’s newest album exceeds all expectations that one might’ve formed after the release of their 2021 album “Mercurial World.”
“mini mix vol. 3” delivers complete ecstasy to listeners through the playful and blissful nature of the work. Chimes, beats made for the dancefloor, tearing guitar and bass riffs and the overall twinkling electronica make the whole work shimmer. Every song fades into the next in a way that induces complete satisfaction.
“the record” by boygenius
Supergroup boygenius’ sophomore album “the record” features heartbreak and, contrastingly, overwhelming love as leading themes. Yearning and reflective lyrics and vocals balanced with acoustic, indie pop or soft punk accompaniments comprise the sound of “the record.”
The three artists trade off the role of lead vocalist nearly equally throughout the dozen songs on the album, offering their distinctive tones on the songs that fit comfortably with their respective signature styles.
The tempo of the work as a whole fluctuates up and down continuously, adjusting to the spirit of each song fluently. “the record” is a work of reflection, both internally and externally, and of heart.
“Praise a Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)” by Yves Tumor
Yves Tumor further authenticates their experimental courage and alternative rock expertise in their cohesive 12-song album released on March 17. The album is electrifying and colorful; every enunciated syllable, guitar lick, soft piano chord, drum rhythm and animated sound effect acts as a splash of paint or stroke of light.
Every song (with the exception of “Interlude”) can stand on its own as a hit but is enhanced by the support of all other songs on the album. Yves Tumor has once again delivered an album of sonic innovation and inspiration, paving a new trail in alternative rock for future artists to explore.
“SCARING THE HOES” by JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown
Unparalleled sampling compels “SCARING THE HOES” to stand out against the backdrop of the rest of JPEGMAFIA’s discography.
Piecing together clips of “Milkshake” by Kelsi, retro ’80s television commercials, the default iPhone notification sound, LL Cool J, Michael Jackson, *NSYNC and more, this album is full of hidden musical surprises and references.
JPEGMAFIA’s reliably effortless and lucid flow contrasts against the voice of Danny Brown, which is somewhat abrasive and choppy, yet well-fit for the explosive production of “SCARING THE HOES.”
“Through and Through” by Baby Rose
Baby Rose delivers pure grooves and soul with her 11-song album “Through and Through,” which hit streaming platforms on April 28.
Her keenly unique voice lends itself to the depth of the album’s sound, layering over choral backing vocals and lively bass and percussion rhythms. Her sonic depth is matched emotionally when Baby Rose holds nothing back in the delivery of her lyrics and the feelings encompassed within them.
“Become” by Beach House
Released April 28, Beach House’s newest EP is as dreamy as ever. Diffused vocals, soft drum beats and resonating guitar melodies provide the centerpiece of this work, backed by soaring harmonies, orchestral accompaniments and pensive lyrics.
“Become” transports listeners to the beach and walks them across wet sand and cold water under a dark, thundering sky. It keeps listeners in a state of gloom but also calm, allowing them to float and exist in space and time without expectations.
“Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” by Lana Del Rey
Brimming with sentimentality, “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” glows as a culmination of Lana Del Rey’s reflections on her past. Stripped-down, haunting acoustics, evocative piano solos and muted orchestral accompaniments shape the delicate and refined sound of Lana’s newest work.
The lyrics in this album heavily rely on nostalgia, as Lana recounts memories from childhood and young adulthood — of family, friends, and lovers.
“Radical Romantics” by Fever Ray
Melodically eclectic and ambitious, “Radical Romantics” embraces Fever Ray’s realistic outlook on love in a world where it’s viewed through a utopian looking glass.
Fever Ray’s lyrics express how love can evoke violence, anxiety and uncertainty, just as much as it can peace, passion and bliss. This multifaceted perspective is mirrored in the production of Fever Ray’s album — the overarching electronic and synth-pop elements are matched with dreamlike, eerie vocals that add dimension and complexity to the work.
Other new releases to check out:
- “V” by Unknown Mortal Orchestra
- “Red Moon in Venus” by Kali Uchis
- “Big Picture” by Fenne Lily
- “The Great Escape” by Larry June and The Alchemist
- “Memento Mori” by Depeche Mode
- “Lucha” by Y La Bamba
- “Hydranism” by Oracle Sisters
- “Drop Cherries” by Billie Marten
- “First Two Pages of Frankenstein” by The National
