Artists for April
As we flourish into spring, here are five artists that could shape your April
Days are officially getting lighter, and the weather is set to get warmer as we slowly creep away from winter’s chilly grasp. There are some artists who definitely benefit from this shift, as their music, to me anyway, feels more poignant and fitting for the season of spring. Whether they have timed their musical releases perfectly, whether they’re artists I return to at this time of year or ones I’ve discovered recently, these artists are on track to soundtrack the rest of spring for me.
Thundercat
Thundercat is an example of an artist who has mastered his breezy, easygoing and uplifting sound to an inimitable degree. The GRAMMY-winning singer, songwriter and bassist has such a distinctive sound, fusing funk and indie flawlessly. This specific mesh of genres gets room to truly thrive in spring, as it offers more levity and relief from the heavy and deep music that takes centre stage over winter. This is not to say that Thundercat’s music lacks depth, but the way it is delivered feels more comforting as opposed to confronting. It is a sigh of relief. The artist intelligently timed the release of his latest album Distracted to come out last Friday 3rd April. I really appreciated the funk and soul that he leaned into with this project, so it is definitely worth a listen.
Absolutely
As I am still replaying and reeling from RAYE’s THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., I discovered the talents of her younger sister Absolutely earlier this year. I have had the pleasure of seeing the 22-year-old singer open for her older sister twice now, and have been thoroughly impressed with her vocal performances both times. Since seeing her in late February this year, I have delved into her latest album Paracosm, and felt it reflected the spring feeling so well, as an album about self-discovery and reconnecting with our childlike nature without taking life too seriously. My favourites are ‘Elevator’ and ‘I Just Don’t Know You Yet’, both offering such a unique and fresh perspective on love. If you want to venture into a more gothic-futuristic pop landscape, this is definitely the artist for you.
Dominic Fike
Dominic Fike will always be a spring artist for me. This notion came out following the release of ‘The Kiss of Venus (feat. Paul McCartney)’ in March 2021. His music, to me, is so easy to listen to, and that is never a bad thing. He has a great ability at keeping an interesting pace to all of his songs, with the intertwining indie and rock influences helping him achieve this. I must admit, I don’t tend to listen to Dominic Fike in the colder months, because his music just inexplicably works as the weather gets warmer. You want to be outside when his music comes on, especially his 2023 album Sunbeam, of which the aesthetic is very much beach-inspired.
Arlo Parks
Moving into a deeper yet so satisfying sound, Arlo Parks released a stellar new album titled Ambiguous Desire on Friday. What makes Arlo Parks so outstanding is her introspection, and the personal nature of her music. It bridges the connection between her and the listener, allowing her to truly express herself, but also the listener to feel a sense of belonging. The lo-fi blend of jazz and R&B that she delivers in her music makes it feel dreamy, laid-back and soft. This matches the spring atmosphere so well. Lying in the grass on a sunny day listening to Arlo Parks’ new album should undoubtedly be the intended experience.
Erykah Badu
The earthy R&B songstress who has managed an incredibly impressive longevity with her music is truly spring personified. I have recently gotten back into listening to my favourite album of Badu’s, Mama’s Gun. Her use of instrumentation blends organic and analogue textures and techniques in her music to make her music feel so natural and warm. In a way, the music feels live and unpolished, with the bluesy, groovy instruments making the sound feel full at all times. Favourites from Erykah Badu’s discography include ‘Appletree’, ‘Orange Moon’, ‘Green Eyes’ and ‘On & On’. I could go on for a while with Erykah Badu, so it would probably be easier for you to go ahead and try out her music for yourself!
Spring music is, for me, defined by feelings of renewal, discovery and hope. These artists are able to bring these concepts to life in their music, offering us bright and optimistic music that can either be laced with humour or self-reflection. The levity the music itself provides can even make us feel lighter on our feet before the heated energy of Summer picks up the pace even more.