March madness: music news you need to know about now

Berkeley has been a pretty kooky place lately: people are recovering from their first wave of midterms, the weather has been unpredictable as ever, and will Apple News ever bring positivity back into our notification center?

I know how busy life can get — even for the most laid-back music connoisseur — so I decided to nestle under my favorite tree on Memorial Glade, on a particularly warm day after an onslaught of rain, and evaluate the latest music-related gossip. Here it is, in written and playlist form.

Solange – When I Get Home

Solange has released her new album When I Get Home. Stunning, soaring, ethereal: these are all words that  can be used to describe her latest release. Solange has truly come into her own on this album. She is in no hurry as she goes about this ambient and exploratory journey. Listening to her album could be considered a spiritual experience, if only you slow your life down enough to give Solange your time. I highly recommend you do.

Top Tracks: “Dreams,” “My Skin My Logo”

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Good Morning – “Sub”

Good Morning has a new album coming out April 5, 2019. It’s called The Option, containing already released tracks “You Up?” and “People Say.” “Sub” is the newest addition, complete with a cute looking dog on the cover of the track. It follows a similar approach to their previously released music: effortlessly relaxed with a lo-fi aesthetic. Their vocals sound sort of gritty and unrefined, kind of like Yellow Days. But that’s why you love ‘em.

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The Japanese House – You Seemed So Happy

The Japanese House released their first album You Seemed So Happy on March 1st. The 23 year-old behind the band, Amber Bain, has released 3 EPs since her debut in 2015. Her music remains as dreamy as ever. Playful synths and vivacious rhythms lend the album a light, airy feel. I’m glad Bain gained the confidence to emerge from underneath her Kurt Cobain-like hair and gift the world with her quiet, unassuming talent.

Top Tracks: “You Seemed So Happy,” “Lilo”

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Hozier – Wasteland, Baby!

The world’s most famous forest nymph has emerged from his cocoon with a brand new album. Wasteland, Baby! lacks the writing chops and vivid metaphors that made Hozier’s self-titled album so critically acclaimed. It’s quite a good album, just not as good as his first one. However, without this album the world would have never witnessed Hozier’s legendary 30-minute concert in a New York subway station. So I’m pretty satisfied with this release.

Top Tracks: “Movement,” “(Almost) Sweet Music”

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Pond – Tasmania

Pond is a self-described euphoric psychedelic funk-punk band that shares some of its band members with fellow Australian group Tame Impala. Their latest album is their most complete-sounding to date. It appears they took the adventurous streak instilled within 2017’s The Weather and ran with it. Great job, mates.

Top Track: “Tasmania”

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LÉON – LÉON

Dear, dear LÉON. What a masterpiece her latest release is. LÉON has always had a knack for writing vulnerable pop songs that make people want to fall in love. She released her first single off of the album, “Baby Don’t Talk” exactly three years after her Soundcloud song “Tired Of Talking” suddenly went viral. The irony of these two names is not lost on her. Where she once was someone who would get excited about 50 new followers on her Facebook page, “Tired of Talking” has now surpassed 64 million streams on Spotify. LÉON is an intensely personal record, which isn’t exactly surprising when you consider LÉON grew up idolizing female singers such as Stevie Nicks, Lauryn Hill, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Top Tracks: “You & I,” “Lost Time,” “Pink”

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Mac DeMarco – “Nobody”

Whether you like it or not, Mac DeMarco is no longer the lovable goofball churning out reliable slacker rock back in the early 2010’s. He’s gotten older and had some time to reflect. Maybe this time for self-reflection has led him to be more pensive, and I think that’s just fine. “Nobody” calls to mind tracks off of This Old Dog (2017) and Mac’s slower tracks. This is the second song off of his new album to be entitled Here Comes the Cowboy.  

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Vampire Weekend – “Sunflower (feat. Steve Lacy)” and “Big Blue”

Is that Jerry Garcia I hear on this record? It’s no secret that Ezra Koenig is a huge Grateful Dead fan, and their influence can be seen on the latest odd (but good) Vampire Weekend releases. Check out the rapidly curling guitar licks preceding “Sunflower.” Here, Ezra Koenig can be heard chatting softly above the track, and even doing a little bit of scatting with his voice. He’s not really taking things seriously, and neither should his listeners. “Big Blue” is another story altogether, and can perhaps be considered one of Vampire Weekend’s more poignant releases.

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The Black Keys – “Lo/Hi”

The Black Keys just released their first song in five years. With snoozy lyrics like “You get low (Low like a valley) / You get high (High like a bird in the sky)”, it sure leaves something to be desired (of course). Then again, this is the same band that decided that “Da da, da da, da /  Da da, da da, da / Da da, da da, da / Da da, da da, da” was an acceptable chorus song title.

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Billie Eilish – “wish you were gay”

Although the title and backstory of Billie Eilish’s new song is slightly concerning, it must be said that here the 17 year-old has really outdone herself. “wish you were gay” is shockingly emotional and Eilish’s pain and anguish demonstrated within the track is evident. Though there’s a foot-stomping beat on the song, don’t be fooled. Billie Eilish is still blue. Maybe now more than ever.

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Adam Melchor – “Plan On You”

Adam Melchor’s new song “Plan On You” off of his upcoming EP under the same name came out March 22nd. On the track he sings, “I don’t have a story I can hide behind” and that kind of reminds me of the song itself. His vocals are right there, bare. It’s incredibly simple, replete with a basic strumming of a guitar, his breathy voice right in your ears recorded off of a ten dollar thrift store mic, and the occasional twinkle of something that sounds like chimes. I can’t wait to hear what else Melchor puts out into the world.

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Tame Impala – “Patience”

The Australian group at the forefront of the psychedelic rock movement — Tame Impala — is back! Kevin Parker announced his song an hour before its release via Instagram post . It’s called “Patience.” The song is interesting, considering how heavily saturated it is with production effects and the lack of a memorable chorus line. Nevertheless, the catchy beat is what makes the song memorable. Without it, the song would be nothing. If you listen closely, you can hear many influences Kevin Parker borrows from the 1970s such as the music of Elton John or even the track “Goodbye Stranger” by Supertramp. I have a feeling more new music is on the way, which makes sense, given he’s slotted for an SNL performance on the 30th of the month. While you wait, check out this insane mashup of “The Less I Know The Better” and “SexyBack” by Justin Timberlake.

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Beach Fossils

The Beach Fossils are playing Coachella this year. In order to spread the word, they hired none other than Robert DeNiro to advertise their show dates. Pretty funny if you ask me.

Article by Erika Badalyan