What a month we’ve had! If you’re a lover of music, this was the month for iconic releases. Obviously, we can’t find them all in here as there’s too many, but we’ve compiled for you the best ones to make sure you haven’t missed out on anything before we head onto what May has reserved for us.
SINGLES
Good Luck, Babe!, Chappell Roan
Good Luck, Babe! is the anthem for compulsive heterosexuality, taking the worst case scenario of your ex-girlfriend ending up with a man when she’s a closeted lesbian who cannot accept her identity. Here, Chappell Roan berates the person in question, bringing up how they had this conversation — the bridge competing for one of the most powerful bridges in music, Roan’s feral scream as she tells the other person “I told you so” is hitting all the notes in my head.
Creatures in Heaven, Glass Animals
If Glass Animals rings in your head, is because of their song Heatwaves. The band is back with a new single preceding an album, and there’s no denying they haven’t lost their magic. Creatures in Heaven takes a deep dive into nostalgia, reminiscing on an old love and realising how good it was. At the same time, the lyrics admit being haunted by the relationship, which they wish they could’ve managed better. It is a stunning love song, with a production that amplifies the feelings to cinematic.
Espresso, Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter is back, and better than never! The artist knows who she is, and the song shows just about that. Not only in the pop production and the tongue-in-cheek lyrics that have become Sabrina Carpenter’s signature, but also in her recognition of confidence and self-love. Sabrina Carpenter knows what she’s worth, and she’s not afraid to tell everyone (and I want to say, as she should).
Illusion, Dua Lipa
The second single off Dua Lipa’s upcoming album, Radical Optimism, calls out someone who thinks she doesn’t see through their facade. In this banger made for clubbing, Dua Lipa tells us that she knows how to distinguish red flags in a person and she is not falling for this particular person’s act. A lesson most of us could use, when we keep ignoring what’s right in front of us. Dua Lipa reminds us we’re worth much more than falling for an illusion.
EP’s
ver2igo vol. 2, Griff
Griff explained this second volume, a follow-up of vert1go vol. 1, as a more upbeat version of the sad songs she shared with her first volume. Worry not, the sad lyrics are still there. Exploring themes such as loneliness, vicious cycles and loss, Griff’s new EP ties amazingly into her songwriting. The production is on par as usual, Griff’s process as a producer being shown on her Youtube channel. There is no doubting the talent that singer-songwriter-producer Griff has.
Beep Beep Repeat, Isaac Dunbar
Isaac Dunbar is exploring queer joy and struggle through dance anthems, while unapologetically being himself. He calls out the gay man culture of hooking up without following through, but also recognises the importance of queer community and discovering oneself. The production is grandiose and slightly off beat — which gives it more of a charm.
ALBUMS
The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift
The highest anticipated album of April, one might say, was Taylor Swift’s eleventh studio album. We couldn’t have imagined that she would take us all by surprise by dropping a double album — The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. We’ve already covered this one in detail here, but to summarise, it is what it says it is. It is poetry, it is love, and it is suffering. Taylor Swift manages to bring together what she is best at — writing emotions that hit the right heartstrings, as she explores the multitudes that love contains. On top of that, there are many songs about being perceived, and with her being in the public eye, it makes sense why the subject would be such a prominent subject.
I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!, Girl In Red
The much awaited sophomore album of Girl In Red unfortunately did not live up to the expectations. I can safely say there is much more depth and interesting themes explored in her debut album, the second coming short besides a few songs that stand out, notably I’m Back, You Need Me Now?, Pick Me and Ugly Side. In these ones, we find what Marie (by her birth name) does best — talk about mental health and romance. However, with only ten songs, lasting less than thirty minutes, it did not reach the impact it should have.
Older, Lizzy McAlpine
After Lizzy McAlpine’s success with ceilings, fans couldn’t wait for the singer’s next move. It’s safe to say she delivered, the signature sad songs following onto what is a more mature record. Here, Lizzy McAlpine explores the feeling of falling in love again and being scared of getting your heart broken due to past relationship trauma. Indeed, the album heads towards heartache, ending with Vortex, who sees the fall of the relationship. It is an ode to complicated emotions surrounding love.
Found Heaven, Conan Gray
After releasing Never Ending Song as the lead single of the album, fans were surprised to hear how different the sound was. There was a divide between those who were obsessed with it, and those who hated it, no in between. The album followed the steps of the single, by taking inspiration from 80s legends, such as David Bowie. The production couldn’t be more different from Conan Gray’s previous projects, as he sings about falling in and out of love. The songwriting is spectacular, resonating particularly with the queer community.
Looking for more music? Check out our article on lesbian music!
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