16 Major Releases of April: Taylor Swift, Husky, and Vampire Weekend

Contents:

• Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department
• Dua Lipa - Illusion
• Dead Blonde - Perestroika
• Igor Tsyba - “For Mom Kim”
• Future & Metro Boomin - We Still Don’t Trust You
• Rabochiy Gorodok - Lombard
• J. Cole - Might Delete Later
• Husky - "Young Russian"
• The Black Keys - Ohio Players
• Khruangbin - A La Sala
• Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
• Pearl Jam - Dark Matter

Taylor Swift — The Tortured Poets Department

The 11th album by the world's most famous singer is a harmonious combination of the sounds of several of her previous works. The Tortured Poets Department continues the soft electropop tradition established in Midnights. This album also features a significant number of acoustic compositions with guitar and piano, which is reminiscent of Folklore and Evermore. However, unlike them, there are no experiments with indie folk, folktronica and other genres, which makes the album more coherent and aimed at creating a unique sonic space.

Before the release, Taylor unexpectedly released the second part of the album, as a result, it includes 31 tracks and is two hours long. You shouldn't expect variety in the music of The Tortured Poets Department - this is Taylor's most homogeneous album. Almost all the songs are similar to each other in sound, lyrics and vocals. There are virtually no catchy choruses, giving the album an indie feel rather than Taylor's usual pop sound.

Production by Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner emphasizes on the lyrics. Despite the fact that Swift is in a new relationship, the album «The Tortured Poets Department» is entirely dedicated to her experiences of breakups with her former partners, actor Joe Alwyn and singer Matt Healy. The lyrics contain numerous references to their favorite songs and musical groups, which gives the work a deep emotional context.

Of course, I am ready to help with editing the lyrics. Please provide the lyrics you want to redo.

Dua Lipa — Illusion

Dua Lipa's new album, «Radical Optimism», will be released on May 3rd. The single «Illusion» is the third release after «Houdini» and "Training Season". All three songs indicate that the album will be varied and rich. Fans can expect a unique sound and interesting musical ideas.

Houdini and Training Season represent a more classic disco sound of the seventies, while Illusion immerses us in the atmosphere of the early 2000s, when There was French house, and everyone was listening to Daft Punk and Modjo. French house, although it grew out of disco, is closer to electronic music and offers more creative freedom. Dua Lipa's song differs from the sound of "Houdini + electronic drums" - it's a completely different style with a characteristic disco atmosphere and classic house rhymes on the keys. Don't forget about the psychedelic synthesizer trills that Kevin Parker, Lipa's producer, loves so much.

Dead Blonde - Perestroika

The band Dead Blonde gained popularity thanks to their stylized versions of the nineties, and on their fourth album, their mastery of mimicry reached new heights. The songs from the album "Perestroika" sound in such a way that they are difficult to distinguish from the original tracks recorded in Russia 30 years ago. The lyrical heroine of "Dead Blonde" illustrates how our society has changed since the collapse of the USSR, highlighting the social and cultural transformations of that time. The album is not only a tribute to the past but also a profound analysis of the present, making it relevant for listeners of all ages.

It all begins with the carefree times of the late USSR, when the heroine, a pioneer, decides to skip school with a bully from the 10th grade. A future full of promises and socialist slogans awaits them: “Unprecedented paths lie before us — / To travel and traverse the entire universe, / To fight and seek, to find and not give up, / And apple trees will bloom on Mars.” The music in this context is performed in the style of 80s pop music, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and youthful maximalism. The importance of these moments underscores the youth's desire for freedom and to find their place in the world, making this story relevant and relatable to all of us.

Time changes everything: ideals crumble, and the nineties, filled with new opportunities and crime, take over. The main character, from an innocent girl, is transformed into a "seasoned bitch," as she describes it. She begins a relationship with a gangster, dresses in expensive clothes, becomes addicted to drugs, loses her mind, and eventually becomes a singer. This transition from vulnerability to cruelty reflects the realities of the times and shows how the environment can radically change a person.

Igor Tsyba - "Po mame Kim"

Following the viral success of the song "Dymok," Igor Tsyba, also known as Itsyk Tsyper, continues to develop his creative style, seamlessly combining the charisma of an experienced chansonnier with modern beats, this time inspired by house music. The new composition "Po Mame Kim" is a typical chanson storytelling, dedicated to the search for women in various corners of the world and memories of the Vietnamese and Spanish women with whom fate brings the hero together. As is typical of the genre, the song's ending is unhappy: the hero's beloved leaves him, leaving him heartbroken. This song continues the traditions of chanson, introducing elements of modern music, making it relevant and appealing to a wide audience.

The song "Dymok" gained popularity thanks to its casual music video, in which Tsyba simply strolls through various locations in clothes associated with older people of the post-Soviet space. In contrast, the video for the song "Po mame Kim" meets modern glamorous standards of pop music: a beautiful Asian girl in a luxurious dress appears on the screen against the background of a neon studio. This contrasting presentation visually emphasizes the different styles and approaches in the music video, making each of the songs unique.

Future & Metro Boomin — We Still Don’t Trust You

In March, Future and Metro Boomin released the album We Don’t Trust You, which became a true musical event. The album immediately topped the charts, including three songs entering the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, among which the track “Like That” especially stands out, which topped the charts. Metro Boomin’s production on this album reached a new level: each track is filled with a variety of instruments and sound effects, which highlights his mastery and creativity in music making.

We Still Don’t Trust You is the second part of a duology, distinguished by its scale and style. The album is more focused on pop music than hip-hop, which may surprise listeners. One would expect a similar album from The Weeknd, who, incidentally, features on three tracks. Some tracks lack the drums typical of hip-hop, while songs like "Drink N Dance" and "We Still Don't Trust You" feature danceable disco beats. The album is saturated with soft synth backings and guitar licks, creating an atmosphere conducive to singing rather than rapping. In some tracks, Future does just that, demonstrating a new approach to his work.

After the release of We Don’t Trust You, we expected Future and Metro Boomin to present us with high-quality hip-hop with a rich musical accompaniment. However, the new album sounds like the artists are R&B performers who are cautiously experimenting with hip-hop for the first time.

Rabochiy Gorodok — Lombard

Basta decided to return to his musical roots, drawing inspiration not only from 2007, but also from the 2000s. During this time, rapcore became especially popular among young people, and many artists, such as Rage Against the Machine, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Bricks, Papa Roach, Dog Eat Dog, and Clawfinger, had a significant influence on musical culture. These bands became a source of inspiration for Basta when creating his album "Lombard". In some tracks, such as "Kolshchik" and "Gnida", you can hear guitar effects reminiscent of the style of Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine, as well as riffs that echo their sound. Returning to these musical traditions highlights Basta's desire to create a unique sound that combines elements of rap and rock music, which makes his work relevant and memorable for listeners. src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FiCcdHSH97B4%3Ffeature%3Doembed&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com% 2Fwatch%3Fv%3DiCcdHSH97B4&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FiCcdHSH97B4%2Fhqdefau lt.jpg&key=8d3909c69dfb4ee29c710191d8dd756a&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube" width="854" height="480" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;" allowfullscreen="true">

The album features an imitation of hardcore hip-hop of the nineties with powerful drums and aggressive rap. The track "Kill" is reminiscent of undeservedly forgotten compositions of groups such as Cypress Hill and House of Pain, recreating the atmosphere of that time and introducing elements characteristic of the old school hip-hop.

Basta created this album not with the goal of releasing hits, but to please the listeners. The album lacks life-affirming compositions like "Sansara"; instead, we hear tough street rap about specific people ready to defend their interests. The project's name, Rabochiy Gorodok, refers to the Rostov-on-Don neighborhood where Basta spent his childhood. This album reflects his personal experiences and the atmosphere in which he grew up, making it particularly relatable and authentic to listeners.

J. Cole — Might Delete Later

This month saw the most unexpected release, which was presented without prior announcement. This approach generates interest and surprise among fans, as many expected an official warning about the release of this product. The unexpected appearance of new content creates additional excitement and attracts the attention of both old and new users. Such releases become real surprises in the world of digital technology and entertainment.

Might Delete Later is a conceptual mixtape that acts as a warm-up for listeners. It consists of previously recorded tracks that have been collected into a single whole. Despite this, the new compositions retain J. Cole's signature style and are imbued with a soulful atmosphere. This mixtape showcases the artist's creativity and his ability to craft captivating melodies while remaining true to his musical heritage.

Created as a backdrop for the track "7 Minute Drill," the album raises questions. Despite the title, the track itself is not seven minutes long and does not correspond to the style of drill, but it does contain a diss towards Kendrick Lamar. In March, Lamar attacked Cole and Drake by releasing a guest verse on the song "Like That," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. J. Cole responded to this attack, calling Lamar a boring rapper who "slid like The Simpsons." However, shortly after the release of his diss, Cole apologized to Lamar, noting that the world wants to see conflict, but he never intended to quarrel with his colleague. The rapper admitted that his answer was "stupid" and ultimately deleted the track "7 Minute Drill". This is quite ironic, given the title of the album.

Husky - "Young Russian"

Husky announced the release of the "Russian Album" in 2022, but the release never took place. Fans of the artist began compiling his new tracks in a playlist, which could serve as an alternative to the promised album. At the moment, there has been no news from the rapper about the release date of the "Russian Album", and fans continue to wait for an official announcement.

We present a new song that fits this concept perfectly. The lyrics are filled with melancholy and hopelessness: the father left the family, and the line "mother taiga gave birth to us and swallowed us" emphasizes deep loss and the lack of hope for the better. The music video was filmed in Buryatia, the home region of Husky, which adds additional meaning and atmosphere.

Rapper Husky has introduced a new musical direction, combining elements of baile funk and phonk in his composition "Young Russian." Unlike his previous works, such as "Poem about the Motherland," which had a sad hip-hop style, the new song offers a more rhythmic sound, typical of Brazilian music videos with crowds dancing in the street. Husky, who previously criticized rappers for imitating foreign artists, has changed his mind, which highlights his evolution as an artist. However, despite the bright musical shell, the song's lyrics retain elements of deep melancholy, creating a contrast between rhythm and content.

The Black Keys — Ohio Players

In 2020, after a five-year break in releases, The Black Keys resumed active musical creativity, releasing albums almost annually. One of the significant releases was Delta Kream - their most authentic album, in which the group, known for its commercially successful blues-rock, performed covers of classic blues songs. It was expected that the musicians would continue to explore the archives of early music, but in reality it turned out differently: the album Ohio Players became the most non-blues work in the discography of The Black Keys, demonstrating their desire for experimentation and new musical directions.

The duo's new songs showcase a variety of styles: some sound in the spirit of indie rock, while others, with their scale and epicness, evoke associations with 1990s Britpop, especially the work of Oasis. This is no coincidence, as Noel Gallagher participated in the writing of three songs for Ohio Players. The album also features collaborations with Beck, which, although expected, still adds interest. However, the songs featuring rappers Lil Noid and Juicy J were a real surprise, making the album even more multifaceted and appealing to listeners.

Previously, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney performed as a duo, rarely involving outside musicians. In contrast, Ohio Players create music with a rich sound, filled with a variety of background vocals, synthesizers, organs, saxophones, harpsichords, additional guitars, and samples. Their compositions are replete with a variety of percussion instruments, from cowbells to gongs, which gives their music a unique depth and layering.

Khruangbin — A La Sala

Khruangbin have created a unique sound that fuses psychedelia, blues, soul, funk, and surf rock. A La Sala continues this tradition while maintaining the Texas trio's distinctive style. With a 1960s vibe and soft, sunny guitar melodies, Khruangbin's music remains fresh and relevant, never losing its appeal over time. Their sound commands attention and continues to inspire while remaining true to their roots.

However, there is a slight difference—in the mood. A melancholy has joined the relaxing time in the sun. This feeling can be described as follows: it's night, it's gotten cold, you're on the beach and a little chilly, but you're in no hurry to put your things away—the sea is nearby, and peace and serenity reign. You know that tomorrow the warmth will return. This is how the music of the Khruangbin group should be perceived, because their work conveys emotions and atmosphere, and does not simply tell stories or experiment with sound.

Vampire Weekend — Only God Was Above Us

Vampire Weekend's fifth album is not just a musical project, but a true work of art for indie rock fans and music critics. This album is distinguished by a complex structure, where the genre serves only as a framework for a variety of musical ideas. In the track Only God Was Above Us, the band actively experiments, creating compositions consisting of several different parts, connected by unexpected transitions. This approach emphasizes the creative diversity and originality of Vampire Weekend, making the album interesting for a wide audience.

Ice Cream Piano combines synthesizers and orchestral elements to create a unique piece of music. In the song "Classical," hip-hop drums harmoniously intertwine with an acoustic guitar, and then move on to a saxophone solo that ranges from avant-garde sounds to a soft lounge mood. The song "Connect" stands out for its unconventional structure, where monotonous drums contrast with joyful piano passages played by Ezra Koenig, as well as moments when only bass and vocals are heard. On "Mary Boone," Koenig's vocals are enriched by a choir, creating a rich and layered sound.

Pearl Jam — Dark Matter

Dark Matter, Pearl Jam's twelfth album, could have been a landmark one for the band. This is due to the project's producer, 33-year-old Andrew Watt, whose career is impressively diverse. Previously, Watt worked primarily with pop artists and rappers such as Justin Bieber, Camila Cabello, Rita Ora, and Cardi B. However, recently, rock veterans have begun to turn to him for fresh ideas for their albums. Watt has had a significant impact on the music industry: he helped Elton John create an album of collaborations with contemporary artists, led Ozzy Osbourne to a Grammy for Best Rock Album, and co-wrote Iggy Pop's first radio hit in two decades. Andrew Watt's addition to Pearl Jam could significantly change the band's sound and attract a new audience.

Watt previously worked with Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder on his solo album, which created positive expectations. These expectations were met: the lead single, "Dark Matter," reached number one on the rock charts, including the US Mainstream Rock chart. This achievement was significant for the band, as they hadn't previously achieved such success, even during their peak years in the early 1990s.

The album represents the signature sound of late Pearl Jam, where the grunge edge has disappeared and the melodic nature of alternative rock has merged with the epic solos of hard rock. Watt isn't a musician who imposes his unique sound; He always adapts to the artist and emphasizes his strengths.