Release Radar: April 2021
At the end of each month, Afterglow presents a staff-picked list of new albums and singles that left an impression on our ears.
Written by Afterglow Staffers
Photos courtesy of Paris Texas, Hip Hop Canada, and Natalie Piserchio
Here are our favorite albums and singles released during April 2021. For more reviews of recent releases, check out our album review page.
Shiny Singles We Loved This Month:
“Hot & Heavy” by Lucy Dacus
A second taste of the Virginia native’s upcoming record, this track is all the blushing sentimentalism one could ask for. Dacus’ trademark, sage-esque wisdom comes out once again in succinctly eloquent lines like, “Try to walk away but I come back to the start.”
"Playlist" by Litany, Oscar Scheller
Oscar Scheller and Litany duet as conflicted love interests in this groovy pop track, carefully deciphering each other's playlists by listening to them on repeat. Backed by a slick octave bass line and slow moody synths, "Playlist" serves as the perfect soundtrack for lovesick listeners as they giddily overthink every text and queued-up Spotify track from that special someone.
“Modelo” by chicocurlyhead
chicocurlyhead’s “Modelo” transports listeners from the crisp air of spring to the heat of the summer sun just as effortlessly as the Panamanian-American artist switches from English to Spanish verses throughout the track. His seductive vocals in the track combined with a suave guitar progression and slick beat offer a carefree, laid-back vibe to welcome in whether you’re sitting by the pool or tanning at the beach.
ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH by SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
Image courtesy of Saddle Creek
Don’t let SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE fool you. The opening track of their latest record ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH is harsh noise, and titles like “I SUCK THE DEVIL’S COCK,” actually undersell its eccentricity. It’s not simply an oddball shoegaze record. At times, it feels like listening to a new genre — one that sees the band being equal parts Neutral Milk Hotel and My Bloody Valentine. Not to mention the combination of static-ridden, overdriven sonics and glitchy flourishes spread throughout add a thoughtful flair to this album that makes it feel more like a band playing in a room. “WRONG CIRCLE” at times is an imitation of the typical indie rock song, but it sounds like it’s played from a tape deck recovered from the bottom of a lake. These songs often invoke a sense of dread; they might make one nervous, simply because something new is around each turn. It’s unknown how the band will bend a vocal down and let it sputter out, like they do on “BAD SON,” or how long they’ll let industrial clatter carry on throughout their songs, like the end of “GIVE UP YOUR LIFE.” The band did well in packaging this record: a menacing monster, mouth agape, prepared to devour — it looks how this record feels. It invokes and masters a sense of impending doom.
— Felix Kalvesmaki
Head Above The Waters by DijahSB
Image courtesy of DijahSB
One of the best things about DijahSB’s latest project Head Above Waters is the stellar production work on the instrumentals that complement, yet never overpower, the rapper’s verses. The tracks on this project are seemingly minimalistic but full of surprises with dope samples and interesting chord progressions that make you want to hit repeat just to hear them again. Upon exploring the album, it’s evident that these songs have range — with rich funk on “Way Too Many Ways,” tranquil lo-fi on “Moving With The Tides,” and dreamy R&B influences on “New Harrison.” Not a single song on the eight-track project misses, because they’re all special in their own way. And that’s just the music. What really makes Head Above Waters a project to dive into is the impeccable way that DijahSB expresses feelings about life, love, and pursuing happiness. Their flows surf over the soundwaves of each track so easily, while their punchlines hit time after time. This might only be the beginning, but DijahSB speaks like a lyricist that’s been in the game for a long time.
— Micaela Garza
FORCE OF HABIT by Paris Texas
Image courtesy of Paris Texas
Mixing together R&B, rap, rock, and electronic influences into an audibly arousing culmination, the up-and-coming Compton-based duo Paris Texas has attracted attention from the likes of NME and The Fader. The Force of Habit EP that came out in April may only have three songs, but they’re all bangers. Each song has a fresh and exciting vibe all its own, ranging from the laidback, ‘DGAF’ attitude on the titular “Force of Habit,” to the gritty, diabolic sound of “HEAVY METAL.” The sound of Paris Texas was a pleasant surprise on it’s own, but clicking through a 10-minute EP and hearing unexpectedly dope sounds from every angle was even better. The notable middle track, “Situations,” brags a super catchy drumbeat behind a Gorillaz-esque electronic exploration, where “HEAVY METAL” starts with heavy distortion and ends with a soft, indie chord progression. While the rap verses on each track differ in terms of delivery, all three songs still somehow come together like pieces to a puzzle. And with the longer EP titled BOY ANONYMOUS set to release on May 14, the possibilities of what might come next seem endless. If this was just a taste of what the duo is capable of, it seems like Paris Texas might be the next big intersection of the rap and rock worlds.
— Micaela Garza
Support Paris Texas on Spotify.