March in Review | 2022

MARCH IN REVIEW

March finally begins to manifest the true and pure art sounds hidden between the underlying concepts of its previous months. A sound starts to form a sort of overall vibe of what music will bring. March in particular brings cohesiveness. Even though we have a blend of genres and sounds it does pair a bit perfectly.

Let’s start with albums this month as there is quite a few.

Albums

333 | Tinashe

8 | 10

Tinashe was the first March drop. A deluxe for her record 333 and it couldn’t have come any better timed. 333 deluxe dropped on March 3rd. What are the odds this would be on a Friday no less. Tinashe doesn’t fail to bring cohesiveness and clarity to her records. She is an artist who is true to the form of what an era should be. The album had its futuristic concept set from the beginning. And for those who didn’t feel the album was enough( like me) the deluxe completes this record overall and adds fresh new songs. “Naturally” is a song that will remain on repeat for the rest of the year and complete with a horror masterpiece of a music video. “HMU for a good time” is a collaboration straight out of the book of Zhu. Both Tinashe and Chanel tres learned very well and their collaboration is by far one of my favorite things about this record. What I loved most was the album cover change. It’s so fresh from an alteration of what the original is even tho I still love the green. The metallic and futuristic cohesiveness along with a final deluxe album trailer truly set this record apart from others this year so far. Most of all I got to really re enjoy the album as a whole months apart from when it first came out. More on 333 by a very special friend Joseph Mascio who has followed Tinashe much longer than I states,

"Diving into more independent work by Tinashe she proves yet again, freedom and complete control of her sound and visuals is all she needed. The first single of 333 (Deluxe) was ‘Naturally’ alongside the music video. Sticking true to her sound Naturally is a soft upbeat track. It’s very Tinashe which is why I enjoyed it so much. The visual of the video is set to be an homage to horror films that she displays effortlessly. I live for a horror themed music video so I was already on board with this video. Tinashe is a woman of consistency. She continues to play with sounds she enjoys and adds a twist that we recognize and love that keeps us captivated. I’d like to highlight one of the tracks that happens to be the last track of the album ‘Woke Up Blessed’, a strong presence is displayed. She sings about being confident and strong. It has a nice 90's swag to it but in her own artistic way. The bass is superior in a car! In my non biased I give this album a 10/10. The standard alone is perfect, but the deluxe really adds flare to her artistry and direction with this album. The deluxe keeps me wanting more of what she has in store for the future and the direction of her music." -Mascio

CRASH | Charli xcx

8 | 10

The 80’s are not DEAD? 2020 brought us this massive wave of disco inspired albums and singles from an array of artists. And you would think that trend is over until Charli xcx got her hands on it. Never have I enjoyed a Charli album so much. She isn’t my first choice of sound to listen to and tho we have some reoccurring sounds what she does and the spin she puts on what this nostalgia gave us is so fresh and free. Good ones is a track that truly should have massively impacted anything that reflected music. But that’s what happens when you out out a summer banger in winter. I was skeptical about announcing a record so many months in advance but the wait for this album was just enough for everyone to prepare for what she might be up to. Tracks like constant repeat, move me and yuck play with familiar sounds that NEVER would have come across as a hit for Charli. She has so many flavors of sounds she’s pulling from and blends it into this massive pop record. There are still some songs that OG Charli fans will eat all over simply because it’s classic her, especially like lightening and twice. That repetitive song writing tactic that just once more will never be for me. Overall shockingly one of the best records this year.

Fever dream | Cannons

7 | 10

Cannons is on an unusual rise. Well from what I as an outside can notice. They have had a few projects before this record and I’m not sure to call this their debut record or not but they are at a height of attention. Which very much is in order for congratulations it’s not an easy feat. For this record there are also so many fresh sounds that have a sense of nostalgia. And it’s all in the lead singers voice. It’s this very airy, dreamy vibe. The album runs through with this blend and at times it could be flat to some but the sounds they play with bring height and body to the record. It was clear most of the songs released before the album are the height and heart of this record minus a few surprises like tunnel of you and afterglow.

Club Azur | Kungs

8 | 10

One of my favorite things released this month was underground funk album Club Azur by Kungs. The immediate conversation intro of a fan loving funk to the immediate adrenaline pump of Fashion. This record had it all for anyone whose a fan of the club and of dance. King has a special talent for knowing what these sounds do and how they work without making them irritatingly an EDM project. And I think there is talent in both but making a record that is enjoyable both for a live audience and a more intimate one is vividly special. Paris ends the record on a beautiful pumped up instrumental note. Leaving the audience so much ready for more. So I would highly recommend if Kungs tours for this album to go see it live.

Singles

On the continuation of singles leading albums we start with ARCADE FIRE. Yes that’s right the arcade fire is coming out with another record after 5 years. This is particularly momentous because it creates so much opportunity for touring and reliving so much music and listening back to classics along with new tracks. “The lightning” comes full bang as a two part song each feeling like it’s own unique thing. This record comes very soon and I appreciate the short wait for this album considering it’s short track listing. Basically only 5 king songs extended into 10. This is surely an early summer jam of an album.

Warpaint if anyone is familiar also makes a beautiful and lovely return with “Champion” leading their next record Radiate like This. A record that comes 6 years after their last! Warpaint as always brings a fresh airy vibe of sounds that I’m excited to fully dive into.

Florence and the machine, as well as muse released new respective singles as well for their coming albums. Florence is on a dancy up-beat route and muse is as always muse. More on them in the coming months.

Most exciting releases this month however belong to one Harry Styles with the return of his next record Harry’s Home and lead single as it was. An upbeat alternative ballad of sorts along with a beautiful music video of him shedding his relationship and learning to be better on his own. Not only was this pleasing because he took off his clothes but because Harry makes genuinely quality music that is relatable. He’s one of the only known male singers who has the ability to make good music in his wonderful world of genre. And last but not least we have the official debut album of UMI with an extremely strong self empowering song Sorry. UMI not only excels In the music but the art of an era as well. Her colors are very greens and yellows and it’s so fluidly presented within her music video her website and her overall marketing. She truly is an artist to watch out for this year.

As always thank you to everyone for reading. And enjoy this months playlist. More in April :)

~ Fabian Rockwell