Our guide to the best new albums, singles, and live mixes released in February.
2017-2019 is darker and more introspective [than AAL - 2012 - 2017], but retains a beat-driven edge that makes you want to move, but unsure of how. The stylistic elements of this record range widely: the 4-4 of house, techno melodies, tribal rhythms, sirens, and industrial sounds are all cut up and assembled with irreverent tact. [Louis]
Man Alive! Is an absorbing consolidation of Archy Marshall’s inimitable sound. Marshall’s distinctive voice is front and center over chaotic atmospheres that meld together a powerful concoction of garage rock, hip-hop, and dark jazz. Man Alive! Is King Krule’s most anguished album yet, in which impending fatherhood collides with his habitual torments. [Alek]
After 5 years away from the Caribou moniker Suddenly finds Dan Snaith in his element, writing beautifully endearing tunes and setting them to multi-layered production in a way only he can, and the results are spectacular. Suddenly forgoes some of the easy listening pop melodies of “Our Love” for a slightly more experimental but still accessible record with absolutely stunning production. [Alek]
Eris Drew finds her niche combining funky drum and bass with questioning spoken-word poetry. Hypnotic techno elements bridge the gap between the beat and poetry. These grooves will make you simultaneously probe your desires and feel yourself at once.
Makaya McCraven reimagines Gil-Scott Heron's final album into a masterpiece of dirty blues and spiritual jazz brimming with a newfound joy.
A triumphant EP led by the comforting and infectious single “People, I’ve been sad”. Christine captures the modern fomo and makes it common ground. She finds what we believe divides us and uses it to unite. This album is danceable, thoughtful, and relatable in a way that pop has failed to deliver for its audience. [Jake Cody]
Miss Anthropocene is peak Grimes, a concept album anthropomorphizing climate change as a vengeful spirit with an axe to grind.
UNLOCKED is another solid entry into Denzel Curry’s discography. His incredible flows work alongside some stellar production from Kenny Beats to create this some of the best bangers of the year. Lyrically, Curry weaves video game and movie references, some flexing, and good old fashioned bars, making the tracks on UNLOCKED punchy, and a ton of fun to listen to. [Liam]
The long awaited debut full length record from British rockers HMLTD finally dropped this month and it exceeded the hype. Their glam punk roots shine through on tracks like “To the Door”, album opener “The West is Dead” is a unique post industrial track, and they even managed to throw in some New Wave with “Mikey’s Song”. One the most interesting musical points of the record is the two part “Joanna” story that comes across as a macabre carnival soundtrack, the likes of Brenden Urie could only dream of creating. It’s impressive how they managed to jump between so many genre influences, rerelease a number of singles, and still have the final project be cohesive and fully realized. [Liam]
Born Sage Elsesser, Navy Blue is a former skating phenom and Supreme model turned recording artist who began posting his music to Soundcloud in 2015. Navy Blue shows much pride in his debut album, bringing a mix of glitchy jazz beats and intimate bars similar to rappers
Workaround is a stunning experiment in left field club music.