February continues to bring forth solid new tunes from key artists and continues to set the year up to follow in the path of last year’s epic releases. Your favorite indie band’s favorite indie band, Yo La Tengo, lead the pack this week with the release of their sixteenth studio album, This Stupid World. Even decades into their career, the illustrious trio shows that their passion and curiosity continue to drive the band forward.
Kelela is back this week with her latest album, Raven. The lead singles have brought ambient vibes to her R&B grooves, setting the tone for something truly special and void of any particular genres. Black Belt Eagle Scout is also making her return this week with deep and lush guitar that could easily make this perhaps her most impressive record to date.
Pop-punk sensations Paramore have finally released their long-awaited new album that is sure to set the hearts of their fans on fire and once again confirm their big-name status. There’s also a new record from Tennis, a band that continues to find success with their retro-pop sound that always delivers exactly on trend.
Singer-songwriter Andy Shauf has a new record out today that sees his continued foray into guitar-pop as success as ever, his unique voice always providing an extra layer to his already glowing tunes. Last year, Two Shell made a mark with an EP of instant rave bangers and this week they’ve returned with another offering that hopes to put them atop the ranking of dance acts making unique yet instantly classic sounding party songs.
Later this month, M83 will finally release their highly-anticipated new album Fantasy and judging by the first single, it sounds like a true return-to-form. Now, Anthony Gonzalez, the band’s primary member, has shared the first chapter of the album which consists of the record’s first five tracks.
Disco-revival queen Jessie Ware announced a new record for later this year and dropped the lead single, “Pearls,” again showcasing her knack for delivering sophisticated dance-pop. U.K. post-punks Squid shared the details for their upcoming sophomore record and with it came the lead single, the jazzy, synthy “Swing (In A Dream).”
Indigo de Souza has a new album on the way and along with the record announcement gave us the righteous lead single, “Younger & Dumber.” Hot off last year’s album Farm to Table, the undeniable Bartees Strange gave us two new tracks as his constant songwriting nature continues to prove itself as one of the best in class.
Albums:
Yo La Tengo | This Stupid World
Kelela | Raven
Black Belt Eagle Scout | The Land, The Water, The Sky
Paramore | This Is Why
Quasi | Breaking The Balls Of History
Andy Shauf | Norm
Tennis | Pollen
Two Shell | lil spirits [EP]
M83 | Fantasy [Chapter 1]
Songs:
Jessie Ware | “Pearls”
Squid | “Swing (In a Dream)”
Indigo de Souza | “Younger & Dumber”
Bartees Strange | “Tisched Off” / “Keekee’in”
Pile | “Lowered Rainbow”
Beck | “Thinking About You”
Lizzo | “Special” (ft SZA) [remix]
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2023) here!