10 Albums You Need to Listen to in February
February's crop of new music offers a range of great records, from heartfelt goodbye songs to self-proclaimed strokes of genius. From industry newbies to household names, these are our top album picks of the month:
Available 2/5:
1) Pool by Porches
The artist-formerly known as Aaron Maine-is making his full-length album debut with Pool. Get a taste of what's to come with his two somber and synth-led singles, "Hour" and "Be Apart," then see him live when he heads on tour with Alex G in March and festival-hops a few venues this summer.
2) Wonderful Crazy Night by Elton John
Six-time Grammy winner and music legend Sir Elton John returns with the roaring vocals and piano-led melodies you know and love so well. This album is a landmark for John, not just because it'll be his 33rd, but also because he reunites with the band from his "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Captain Fantastic" days. Recorded in a whirlwind of 17 days and inspired by his happiness with his family and husband, it'll be no surprise if the album lives up to its name.
Available 2/11:
3) SWISH by Kanye West
The hype for Kanye's highly-anticipated LP thrives on speculation and sporadic clues as the wait for February 11 (the same day Yeezy Season 3 is rumored to show at NYFW) shortens. As of now, other cryptic hints suggest that West's next single could feature Chance the Rapper, and it's possible Justin Bieber and Big Sean could make cameos on the album as well.
Available 2/12:
4) Synthia by The Jezabels
Aussie quartet The Jezabels gifted fans with a win-win last fall when they announced their coming third album and released a new single to tease it, named "Come Alive." The track takes on a more eerie, synthesized sound (as suggested from the title), while recent single "Pleasure Drive" is a more upbeat tune.
5) SVIIB by School of Seven Bells
Seven Bells' newest project is an emotional ride from start to finish. The electro-indie group, which originally consisted of three members but shrunk to two when one quit, experienced a much more painful loss in 2013 when co-founder Ben Curtis passed away from lymphoma. The remaining half of Seven Bells, Alejandra Deheza, is releasing SVIIB after Curtis' passing, including tracks he worked on before he died. In a bittersweet note on their website, Deheza states that the album tells their "story starting from that first day we met in 2004."
Available 2/19:
6) Painting With by Animal Collective
This marks the group's 10th album and its first full-length since Centipede Hz, which was released in 2012. The first single off the band's upcoming album is "FloriDada," an excited and estival track inspired by the quirks and charm of the Sunshine State. If you think the song is trippy, just wait until you see the music video.
7) Side Pony by Lake Street Dive
This jazz-band-meets-garage-band hailing from Boston (Conservatory of Music, more specifically) is the kind you listen to on easy Sunday mornings. They first turned heads with their stripped-down cover of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" in 2012, and nearly four years later, they're set to release their third LP. Their latest single, "Call Off Your Dogs," is up-tempo, sweet and doo-woppy, with lead singer Rachael Price's voice silkily weaving through the melody.
8) Need Your Light by Ra Ra Riot
This is Ra Ra Riot's newest album since 2013's Beta Love (2013), which brought us the feel-good "Dance With Me." The singles from Light don't stray from the band's fun indie vibe, especially "Absolutely," which the band fittingly released on New Year's Day. "It's the year of absolutely being, absolutely nothing, absolutely crushing," they sing, possibly foreshadowing what the forthcoming album holds.
Available 2/26:
9) I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It by The 1975
The 1975 is back with a follow-up to their 2013 self-titled album. Its funky '80s feel piggybacks off their familiar upbeat sound, and if the rest of the record is anything like viral singles "Love Me," "UGH!" and "The Sound," here's hoping the track list is just as long as the title.
10) 99¢ by Santigold
Pushed back over a month from its original release date, 99¢ is the eclectic artist's third studio album, following the successful Master of My Make-Believe (2012). Why the odd name? "Everything is about marketing products - I'm a product," Santigold said on Beats 1. "And everything is undervalued, you know? So I thought 99 cents was a good price for me and my life and all my hard work."
