In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on March 27th, 2020:
Dua Lipa, Future Nostalgia
English pop star Dua Lipa has come through with her sophomore LP, Future Nostalgia, out now via Warner Records. It was originally planned to be released on April 3rd, but was pushed forward after the record was leaked in its entirety last week. Working with producers Jeff Bhasker, Ian Kirkpatrick, Stuart Price, and The Monsters and the Strangerz, Lipa has said that the album has more of a “nostalgic” feel, with more live elements as well as electronic production mixed in. “What I wanted to do with this album was to break out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to make music that felt like it could sit alongside some of my favourite classic pop songs, whilst still feeling fresh and uniquely mine,” she explained, citing the likes of Gwen Stefani, Madonna, and Blondie as major influences.
Pearl Jam, Gigaton
Pearl Jam are back with their 11th studio album, their first release of original material since 2013’s Lightning Bolt. Marking the longest period of time the band has spent between albums, Gigaton was co-produced by Josh Evans, who’s previously worked for fellow grunge rock giants Soundgarden. “Making this record was a long journey,” guitarist Mike McCready explained in a statement. “It was emotionally dark and confusing at times, but also an exciting and experimental road map to musical redemption. Collaborating with my bandmates on Gigaton ultimately gave me greater love, awareness and knowledge of the need for human connection in these times.”The album cover, ‘Ice Waterwall’, depicting the Nordaustlandet ice cap, was taken by Paul Nicklen in Svalbard, Norway.
Waxahatchee, Saint Cloud
Katie Crutchfield aka Waxahatchee returns with a new album titled Saint Cloud, out now via Merge Records. The follow-up to 2017’s critically acclaimed Out in the Storm was produced by Brad Cook (Bon Iver, Big Red Machine, Kevin Morby) and features contributions from guitarist/keyboardist Josh Kaufman, drummer/percussionist Nick Kinsey, as well backing band Bonny Doon. The album is described as having a more stripped back, raw sound compared to her previous releases, acting as a backdrop for Crutchfield’s “unflinching self-examination”, describing an “intimate journey through the places she’s been, filled with the people she’s loved.”
Sufjan Stevens and Lowell Brams, Aporia
This is a collaboration between singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens and his stepfather, Lowell Brams, released on March 24th through Asthmatic Kitty. The album, which is inspired by new age music and acts like Enya and Boards of Canada, marks the retirement of Lowell Brams, with whom Stevens founded the label Asthmatic Kitty two decades ago. In Stevens’ words, Aporia “tells a bigger story of stewardship and mentorship. He’s been there since I was five. It’s been a long haul … This record is a synthesis of all of that history.” The 21-track album was originally slated for release on March 27th, but was pushed forward because of concerns over record stores closing due to coronavirus.
Other albums out today:
Nicolas Jaar, Cenizas; 5 Seconds of Summer, Cold; San Fermin, The Cormorant I & II; Little Dragon, New Me, Same Us; Half Walf, The Caretaker; Brian Fallon, Local Honey.
