Today is that one day of the year that your thirtysomething or fortysomething aged friend pulls out the over played meme of curly haired Justin Timberlake proclaiming “It’s Gonna Be May.” Oh Karen, I say this with great respect: “fucking stop.“
What Karen and all of us need in the never-ending quarantine is some new music. May 1, 2020 is loaded with some great releases. There are new albums from an early 2000’s pop princess, an indie fave, as well as a surprise mixtape from a hip-hop superstar.
Remember to push play and enjoy some great new music this weekend. Someone let Karen know that the manager will be with her soon.
Car Seat Headrest – Making a Door Less Open
Prince recorded and released so much music at a frantic pace that it ruffles the feathers of his label and ultimately resulted in him changing his name to an unpronounceable symbol in efforts to get him out of his contract.
In the world of independent music you are free to basically release as much or as little music as you’d like. Indie rock band Car Seat Headrest has gone the route of ‘more is better.’ Their new album Making a Door Less Open is their 12th album in 10 years and their first of all-new material since 2016’s Teens of Denial.
The band experimented with new sounds throughout the album especially with the use of synthesizers and hip-hop drum machines like on ‘Weightlifters” and “Can’t Cool Me Down.” Long time fans will notice that the bands more signature sound is present as well on the new album. One doesn’t have to listen hard to hear the arena-sounding guitar intros and booming drums.
Lyrically, this is a completely different Car Seat Headrest album than like any other. Lead singer Will Toledo has always been honest and vulnerable in his ramblings on previous efforts, but finds himself being more concise about a scattering of subjects on the new release.
Toledo dove in to the works of some great poets and authors mainly E.E. Cummings and Robert Frost for inspiration. The lyrics throughout the album show how much their works influenced the singers writing. @carseatheadrest
JoJo – good to know
In 2004, at the ripe old age of 13, JoJo burst on to the scene with her massive hit “Leave(Get Out)” and put all of the pop princesses on notice. What followed next was something out of a Lifetime Movie of the Week. Instead of the promising career her debut single and album led most to think was to come for the young singer, JoJo rather had to fight with her own record company to release her music.
After multiple legal battles, JoJo was finally free and in 2017, she created her own label and today finds herself releasing her first release under its banner. good to know is JoJo’s official rebirth and reintroduction to the world of music.
In the 16 years since her first release, it is easy to tell that she has matured both vocally and lyrically. Her more experienced sound truly helps the songs lyrics hammer home her messages. This is evident in the single “Man” on which the message is that it’s both important and possible to have self awareness while navigating through toxic relationships.
The now nearly 30 year old singer has ditched the pop jams for more of a mature R&B sound which is very refreshing and welcoming. JoJo has spent a number of the past years not only battling her old record label but her own demons. The singer has found clarity through therapy where she worked on her mental health and battles with alcohol, as well as infidelity. Those subjects and others are found throughout the album as she tackles them head on in the new album. @iamjojo
Drake – Dark Lane Demo Mixtapes
Drake announced via Instagram that he’s been real busy during the coronavirus quarantine with the announcement of a new album to come this summer and the surprise drop of a mixtape of mainly previously released material.
Dark Lane Demo Tapes finds the Toronto rapper collaborating with Chris Brown, Future, Young Thug, Playboi Carti and more. The mixtape is a collection of leaked tracks and Soundcloud one-offs. TikTok users have flocked to the social media app creating their own dance videos set to the included “Tootsie Slide.”
Dark Lane is the first Drake mixtape since 2017s More Life and is just the thing fans of the Degrassi alum needed to get them ready for the summer release of a new album. @drake
Steven McCash is the Music Columnist for SoBros Network. He is the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music, in addition to the occasional live show review. Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
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