March 1: Made in Lagos - Wizkid
I started the month with Afrobeat superstar Wizkid's homage to his home city. A genre that in the past I've shied away from, it's been slowly winning me over, especially considering my colleagues always have it on at work. Wizkid's mellow flow is simply infectious, and has you nodding your head along to his mellower-still beats. A few prolific features help to showcase why he's one of the most sought-after artists in the game.
Standouts:
Longtime
Blessed
Essence
March 2: The Doors - The Doors
It's clear after just one listen why The Doors were such a game-changer in the evolution of rock as, like the opening track suggests, they broke on through from the underground scene into the mainstream. Morrison's poetic and often erratic lyricisms bring a sense of existentialism to the album, bringing with it this feeling of unease, comparable to the sound of, say, Jefferson Airplane. This climaxes with a near twelve-minute closing track, one that at times almost feels improvised. This debut is as bold as they come.
Standouts:
Soul Kitchen
Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)
The End
March 3: Un Verano Sin Ti - Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny has quickly risen to be not only one of the biggest Latin artists, but the biggest worldwide. Un Verano Sin Ti is a badge of honour that proves exactly why, as he delivers a sound that infuses trap, reggaeton and samba. Over the album's heavy twenty-three tracks, the Puerto Rican touches on a range of styles, always bringing his electrifying energy. A runtime being that long with no dull moments is certainly an achievement and a half.
Standouts:
Titi Me Pregunto
Otro Atardecer
Me Porto Bonito
March 4: UGLY - Slowthai
Slowthai returns with his unapologetically honest spoken-world style, veering even further towards his punk influences than ever before. UGLY is loud and angry as Tyron Frampton deals with topics of self-doubt and anxiety, while also reflecting on all the baggage which his fame has brought. While lacking the sorts of bangers frequent on previous albums, Slowthai's decision to hone in on a more post-punk sound shows that he's not afraid to adapt and evolve.
Standouts:
Feel Good
Sooner
HAPPY
March 5: Dusty In Memphis - Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield's feel-good soul-fuelled style is one that is rather irresistible. Her voice is timeless and her vast skill set is on complete display on Dusty In Memphis, backed by a smooth instrumental ensemble. The album also has its quieter moments, hitting a more dramatic level that evokes the sensation of a thrilling ending to a film. Despite a lack of commercial success at the time of its release, the silver lining is in the deserved esteem the album has developed over the years.
Standouts:
Son Of A Preacher Man
I Don't Want To Hear It Anymore
The Windmills Of Your Mind
March 6: Graceland - Paul Simon
Despite the international boycott of South Africa during their apartheid regime, Paul Simon defied the rules in the pursuit of creating new music. The result was Graceland, an album that celebrates the beauty of collaboration, with heavy influence from the native styles of South Africa, such as mbaqanga. Intertwined with Simon's folky sound, Graceland feels wholly original and is a beautiful example of art overcoming politics.
Standouts:
Graceland
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes
You Can Call Me Al
March 7: The Mollusk - Ween
The weird and wonderful world of Ween's music is epitomised on their commercial breakthrough album, The Mollusk. Credited as a direct influence for the show Spongebob Squarepants, The Mollusk is a genre-bending mix of rock, indie and psychedelia, moulded together by a nautical theme referenced throughout. There's a mystical aspect to it all, aided by the trippy cover art, all alluding to the thought that the whole thing is rather alien. Ween sure know how to set the scene.
Standouts:
Mutilated Lips
Buckingham Green
Ocean Man
March 8: I Speak Because I Can - Laura Marling
Laura Marling feels like an artist who was just born to make folk music. Her soft vocals bring with them this nostalgic picture of Old England, and the soothing acoustic strings only build up this world further. Her lyrics are at times poignant, at others hopeful, but they are always beautiful. Ultimately, though, the album does hone in on that hopefulness, as Marling reflects on the woman she's become, and where she's going.
Standouts:
Alpha Shallows
Goodbye England (Covered In Snow)
Devil's Spoke
March 9: Pang - Caroline Polachek
Caroline Polachek's solo debut, Pang, has a polished pop sound to it, but still feels as though it has more to offer than its contemporaries. Collaborating with dance producer Danny L Harle, Pang packs a punch with its moodier synths and drums, which suit Polachek's strong vocals aptly. Ultimately, this is a break-up album, but rather than wallowing in sadness, Polachek stands up and owns her feelings, sharing them proudly.
Standouts:
Look At Me Now
Hit Me Where It Hurts
So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings
March 10: Reason to Smile - Kojey Radical
Kojey Radical may not be a newcomer, but his long-anticipated debut album proves he's one of the most exctiting voices in the UK rap scene right now. Incorporating jazz, soul, grime and funk, Reason To Smile really is a sound of its own. Radical's flow is clean and charming as he celebrates the life and culture of modern London. Soundbite cameos from Radical's mother add another layer of personal charm, as Reason To Smile begs for listen after listen.
Standouts:
Nappy
War Outside
Payback
March 11: Endless Summer Vacation - Miley Cyrus
Riding high off the release of the breakup track of the year – Flowers – Miley Cyrus returns with her dreamy pop-country aesthetic on Endless Summer Vacation. The album's title is true of the energy the music carries, and had me envisioning long summer nights full of indulgence. Cyrus' competence in songwriting has only grown over the years, and the sharpness of each track here proves she isn't going away anytime soon.
Standouts:
Rose Colored Lenses
River
Flowers
March 12: Hotel California - Eagles
One of the greatest-selling albums of all time, Eagles' Hotel California feels like the blueprint for mainstream American rock of the 20th century. Catchy choruses and soft vocals guide you through Eagles' outlook on contemporary American life, often with its seedy underbelly. It's comfort music, to be sure; sonically pleasing but never really venturing into any daring territory. Then again, I would argue their title track is one of the all-time great rock songs.
Standouts:
Hotel California
New Kid in Town
Pretty Maids All in a Row
March 13: if i could make it go quiet - girl in red
girl in red rides in on the wave of self-made indie pop stars with her debut album, if i could make it go quiet. Her appeal is instantly apparent, as she speaks from the heart surrounding the anxieties of love and loss for those coming of age in the 21st century. Her clean production can at times feel a little unoriginal, but there is something to the frankness of her lyrics that reels you in. I look forward to seeing her as she arrives in the UK this summer for a number of festival shows.
Standouts:
Did You Come?
hornylovesickness
.
March 14: Disrespectful - Bad Boy Chiller Crew
Bradford's finest, the garage/bassline collective Bad Boy Chiller Crew bring nothing but energy and club bangers. The trio's sound stays true to the genre while bringing a twist with their cheeky bars that are all about having fun. The formulaic aspect to the songs does become a bit tiring in the sixteen-song tracklist, but would fit nicely into any British club night. It's a given that nobody is having a bad time seeing these guys live.
Standouts:
Don't You Worry About Me
Come With Me
Footsteps On My Shoes
March 15: Saturday Night, Sunday Morning - Jake Bugg
In a similar shift to Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus, Jake Bugg takes a turn from his folk/country roots into a more poppy direction on Saturday Night, Sunday Morning. Those old-school wild-western guitar sounds are still there, though, as Bugg blends genres in a fresh and inventive way; there are even some more dance-focused tracks to enjoy. His iconic nasal-like voice is left untarnished, and one wonders how Bugg isn't still riding the same level of acclaim as on his debut ten years ago.
Standouts:
All I Need
About Last Night
Lost
March 16: Illmatic - Nas
Illmatic's reputation truly proceeds it, with its iconic album cover, insightful and honest lyrics, and some truly clinical production quality. Recorded when he was only twenty, Nas' debut is one of the boldest hip-hop arrivals of all time. Every track has you head-nodding along as the prolific rapper delves deep into what an upbringing in the deprived Queensbridge projects means. The subject matter is often dark but Nas' energy and perspective are truly uplifting.
Standouts:
The World Is Yours
One Love
Represent
March 17: Multitude - Stromae
After a near-decade-long hiatus from studio album recording, Belgian singer/producer Stromae returns to the scene doing what he does best – making bangers. Where previous albums had a moody club aesthetic, Multitude is lighter and experiments with new sounds for Stromae, from Latin to Afrobeats. His signature touch can still be heard though, with some heavy synths and booming basslines scattered here and there.
Standouts:
Santé
Fils de joie
Mon amour
March 18: Like A Virgin - Madonna
Upbeat, provocative and well-polished, Like A Virgin is a pure 80s pop album. Paving the way and setting the standard for many more to come in the genre, Madonna excels with her fairy-like vocals and groovy instrumentals. With Nile Rogers on production that grooviness is no surprise; each song feels like a real hit in its own right. Be right back, I'm now in the mood to watch The Breakfast Club...
Standouts:
Material Girl
Dress You Up
Over and Over
March 19: Baduizm - Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu quite rightfully earnt her title as the 'Queen of neo soul' upon the release of her debut album, Baduizm. Badu sucks us into her world with moody basslines that she rides with her incredible vocals, while delving into bad breakups and forbidden love. While clocking in at nearly an hour, Badu maintains charisma and energy throughout the album, and things never seem to drag. Listening to this I envision a late-night drive down an empty motorway - smooth and peaceful.
Standouts:
Appletree
Other Side Of The Game
4 Leaf Clover
March 20: Piano Man - Billy Joel
Come on a journey of late-night bar tales and bank heists with Billy Joel on Piano Man. Inspired by Joel's experiences while playing as a regular in a Los Angeles lounge, the album has a charming storytelling feel to it akin to the likes of his 70s contemporaries such as Elton John. Joel's voice is full of passion at every moment, and his skills on the keys are of course, second to none.
Standouts:
Piano Man
You're My Home
The Ballad of Billy the Kid
March 21: Days Are Gone - HAIM
The pop-rock sister three-piece HAIM's debut, Days Are Gone, is a confident and well-polished one. While at times feeling fairly formulaic in its style and structure, the trio display clearly their ability to write catchy feel-good music. The production nicely incorporates styles from various genres, with some R&B kickdrums and some heavier White Stripes-esque guitar pieces. Dedicating an early live performance on the Andrew Marr show to David Cameron was a little odd though...
Standouts:
My Song 5
Let Me Go
Forever
March 22: HEROES & VILLAINS - Metro Boomin
Metro Boomin has helped to pioneer the sound of modern US hip-hop, and he shows off all he has to offer on HEROES & VILLAINS. The producing powerhouse draws in features from some of the biggest names in the game, from Future to The Weeknd, matching the sound of each in an effective symbiosis. Some are 808-thumping hits, others are more subdued, but the fifteen-track heavy album lets the world know that Metro is still at the top of his game.
Standouts:
Superhero
Niagra Falls (Foot or 2)
Around Me
March 23: V - Unknown Mortal Orchestra
After diving into Multi-Love last month, I came back for more with Unknown Mortal Orchestra's latest album, V. The band's distinctive psychedelic rock sound is still present and dominating here, but new territory is explored as the group venture into more instrumental-led tracks than previously. This added versatility allows for even greater freedom for UMO to reach new places with their sound, and I could feel myself getting whisked into periods of deep thought as I listened.
Standouts:
The Garden
That Life
Meshuggah
March 24: Jungle - Jungle
The debut self-titled album from Jungle is, simply, a good old time. The duo of Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland deliver a sound that is nostalgic for the funk and disco of the 70/80s, while at the same time bringing a modern spin with the clean electronic production. Although often touching on darker tones lyrically, the upbeat horns and synths provide nothing but feel-good energy as the pair sing in their electronically-altered falsetto range.
Standouts:
The Heat
Time
Julia
March 25: Random Access Memories - Daft Punk
In what has transpired to be their last album, Daft Punk pay tribute to all the greats who have allowed their style and sound to prosper on Random Access Memories. Assisted by some of funk and disco's greats, such as Nile Rogers and Giorgio Moroder, the French duo move away from their previous electronic sound into a more instrument-focussed sound. The result is an outstanding sendoff full of groovy tracks and infectious basslines. Long live Daft Punk!
Standouts:
Giorgio by Moroder
Instant Crush
Lose Yourself to Dance
March 26: DANCEHALL - The Blaze
From one French producing duo to the next, The Blaze is a strong departure from the sound of Daft Punk. Muffled vocals drift over a collection of ambient electronic sounds that seemed to effortlessly produce an ethereal feeling inside of me throughout DANCEHALL. Assisted with some tremendous visuals from their music videos, an intense and dreamlike atmosphere is created, one that lingers long after the album is over.
Standouts:
HEAVEN
RUNAWAY
QUEENS
March 27: Aretha Now - Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin is another one of those prolific artists who I'm of course familiar with, but for whatever reason had never delved into her music properly. Aretha Now is a showcase of Franklin doing what she does best: singing great soul music. Coming in at just under half an hour, the album is short but sweet, and the energy Franklin brings has you feeling pumped up to take on any task that lies ahead in the day.
Standouts:
Think
I Say A Little Prayer
You Send Me
March 28: Colour It In - The Maccabees
The Maccabees provide a contribution to the British indie rock scene that manages to steer clear of the lyrical and sonic cliches of other late 2000s acts. On Colour It In, the group explores the anxieties of love with a tongue-in-cheek attitude, alongside an unorthodox song structure. Vocalist Orlando Weeks' groaning style may in some cases seem annoying, but here it proves to match the group's style aptly.
Standouts:
Good Old Bill
First Love
Latchmere
March 29: Boys & Girls - Alabama Shakes
The short-lived sound of Alabama Shakes was certainly not a dull one, as their debut album – Boys & Girls – proves very plainly. Honing in on a sound reminiscent of the classic blues era, Alabama Shakes' sound is full of confidence and life. Lead singer Brittany Howard has a voice full of soul, and doesn't lose her captivating energy for a second. The band's legacy may be tarnished by the actions of their drummer, but credit is still certainly due to the might of this record.
Standouts:
You Ain't Alone
Hold On
Boys & Girls
March 30: off the grid - Yot Club
The Mississippi-born Ryan Kaiser (Yot Club) jumps onto the indie pop scene with his debut record, off the grid. A one-man machine, Kaiser writes, produces and records on his own, and his independent – if sometimes a little undercooked – sound is apparent throughout. There are notes of surf rock, bedroom pop and even a little bit of punk in here. His lyrics speak to the desperation of modern life for Gen Z, often feeling a little too relatable...
Standouts:
down bad
cant celebrate
priorities
March 31: The Loved Ones - Flyte
I finished the month on a lighter note, with the soft sounds of Flyte's The Loved Ones. With gentle harmonies and a storytelling style of poetic lyricisms, The Loves Ones simply feels like a large dose of serotonin. As I head into April, summer seems like it's on the horizon, and this is the kind of music that has me excited for those long days lazing in the park without a care in the world.
Standouts:
Faithless
Cathy Come Home
Archie, Marry Me
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