Olivia Rodrigo – SOUR (Album)

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music, Musica, Olivia Rodrigo, Olivia Rodrigo - SOUR (Album)

Sour (stylized in all caps) is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, released on May 21, 2021, via Geffen Records. Rodrigo stated that the album explores her perils and discoveries as a 17-year-old, with its title referring to the uncomfortable “sour” emotions youngsters experience but are often shamed for, such as anger, jealousy and heartache. The musical style of Sour was inspired by Rodrigo’s favorite genres and singer-songwriters.

Written and produced by Rodrigo and Dan Nigro alongside few other collaborators, Sour is primarily an alt pop record that juxtaposes upbeat alternative rock and pop-punk songs aside bedroom pop ballads, driven by guitars, piano and synths. Its subject matter deals with topics centered on adolescence, failed romance and heartache told from Rodrigo’s various perspectives. Sour received universal acclaim from music critics, who regarded it a solid debut, and admired Rodrigo’s musical versatility, honest lyricism, and Gen Z appeal.

Three singles preceded Sour’s release: Rodrigo’s debut single and the album’s lead single, “Drivers License”, achieved global success and acclaim, debuted atop the US Billboard Hot 100, and propelled Rodrigo to mainstream prominence. It was followed by “Deja Vu”, which reached number 8 on the chart, making her the first artist in the Hot 100 history to debut their first two singles inside the top 10. “Good 4 U” was released a week before the album and received further commercial and critical success.

Tracklist:

01.Brutal
02.Traitor
03.Drivers License
04.1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back
05.Deja Vu
06.Good 4 U
07.Enough For You
08.Happier
09.Jealousy, Jealousy
10.Favorite Crime
11.Hope Ur Ok

OVERALL RATING: 4 stars

Lydia Ainsworth – Sparkles & Debris (Album)

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Acclaimed singer, composer and producer Lydia Ainsworth will share her upcoming fourth album Sparkles & Debris on May 21 via Zombie Cat Records. The record follows 2019’s Phantom Forest and blends live drums, guitars and bass with Ainsworth’s signature vast electronic landscapes.

“Longing seems to be a major theme running through my songs on this album,” says Ainsworth. “Whether that is longing in love, longing to be free from oppression, or longing for the muse of inspiration to make an appearance. I have included some spells and charms in there as well that have proven effective, if any of my listeners want to use them for help with their own desires.”

Written and produced by Ainsworth in Toronto, New York and Los Angeles over many years, Sparkles & Debris reflects her usual composer’s mindset and instinct for idiosyncratic melodies and structures. The album also marks a departure from the more solitary creative process that her previous releases were born from. Ainsworth recorded all her vocals at her engineer/mixer Dajaun Martineau’s studio in Toronto. Mark Kelso provided live drums and Neil Chapman and John Findlay added electric guitar and bass in the city’s Desert Fish and Noble St. studios. These live elements blend with Ainsworth’s own samples, programming and voice to create the record’s sonic tapestry.

Lydia Ainsworth is an internationally acclaimed singer, composer and producer whose 2015 debut album Right from Real was nominated for a Juno Award for best electronic album and shortlisted for the Polaris Prize. In 2017 her second LP, Darling of the Afterglow, brought with it headlining tours of North America, Europe and Japan as well as support tours with Perfume Genius. In 2019 she released Phantom Forest, and that same year, “Earth Song,” her collaboration with Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, appeared in the last episode of Season 3 of Stranger Things. Her original scores for film and commercials have screened at festivals such as Sundance, Cannes and Hot Docs.

Tracklist:

1.Parade

2.Forever

3.Cosmic Dust

4.Sparkles & Debris

5.Cake

6.Halo of Fire

7.Good Times

8.Love Charm

9.Amaryllis

10.Queen of Darkness

11.All I Am

OVERALL RATING: 3½ stars

Yuuka Ueno – 好きが残った (Digital Single)

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“好きが残った” is the digital single by the singer Yuuka Ueno.

Release Date: 2021.05.19

Tracklist:

1.好きが残った”

OVERALL RATING: 4½ stars

salem ilese – (L)only Child (EP)

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American singer/songwriter Salem Ilese this week drops her brand new single (L)only Child – a spirited and self-assured coming-of-age anthem that lyrically addresses what it was like for Salem growing up as an only child, on a constant search to seek the approval of others.

Released via EMI Records / 10K Projects / Homemade Projects, and serving as the first single to be lifted off of her debut EP, the super infectious track, with it’s unique, staccato beat and hypnotic synthesised melody, sees Salem dig deep, both spiritually and sonically, to produce a funky, mid-tempo electro-pop bop!

Speaking of the inspiration and message behind the single, Salem says: “‘(L)only Child’ took about 2 years to make, and I went through countless versions in the process. I feel like this song says more about me than any bio could. On the surface, it details my experiences of being an only child, but at the root, it’s about my acceptance that all I have is myself at the end of the day. Being an only child taught me how to be my own bestie.”

Tracklist:

1.Forgiveness

2.(L)only Child

3.Romeo & Juliet

4.good, not great

5.About a Breakup

6.Dinosaurs (S4E7)

OVERALL RATING: 3½ stars

Qveen Herby – A Woman (Album)

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A Woman is the debut studio album of American rapper and singer-songwriter Qveen Herby, which was released on May 21, 2021, by Checkbook Records.

“Juice” was released on April 13, 2021, as the album’s lead single and a music video was released on April 16, 2021.

“Naughty Girl” was announced with the album’s pre-order on April 27, 2021. The song was released as the second single along with the album on May 21, 2021.

Tracklist:

1.Balenciaga Dreams

2.Faster

3.A Woman

4.Naughty Girl

5.Juice

6.Black Sheep

7.Good Morning

8.Mother Teresa

9.Gucci Vision

10.Masterpiece

11.Celine Dion

12.Underdog

OVERALL RATING: 3½ stars

Sinead Harnett – Ready Is Always Too Late (Album)

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Ready Is Always Too Late is the second studio album by English singer Sinéad Harnett, released on May 21, 2021 by Thairish Limited. The project follows her 2019 album, Lessons In Love.

Tracklist:

1.Ready Is Always Too Late

2.Stay

3.Take Me Away (feat. EARTHGANG)

4.Last Love

5.Anymore (feat. Lucky Daye)

6.Hard 4 Me 2 Love You

7.J.L (Interlude)

8.Like This

9.Stickin’ (feat. Masego & VanJess)

10.Obvious

11.Distraction

OVERALL RATING: 3½ stars