More and more people across the country are getting vaccinated and beginning to resume some normalcy of life. The weather has started to change from winter to spring, making people roll the windows down and crank up the jams. This week, there are some great albums from every genre of music imaginable being released and with the pleasant weather among us, it only makes sense to check some of them out while rolling through town. Plus, WandaVision is over, so what else do you have to do?
Valerie June The Moon and the Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers
Folk, Blues singer Valerie June releases her fifth studio album The Moon and the Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers and is embarking on a journey through the music rainbow. June dips a toe into the pop world with the inclusion of music producer Jack Splash. Splash, who is famously known for his work with Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar, and Sia among countless others, brings more of a modern foundation to the album as Valerie slowly steps away from the post-Mumford & Sons era sound she was known for.
There is no one of this earth who has a voice anywhere as unique as June and it is on full display throughout the new album. Her voice is extremely vulnerable on the song “Fallin’” then rather soulful on “Two Roads.”
Valerie’s devoted fan-base will be happy to hear that the Tennessee born-and-raised singer is still ignoring expectations by sailing her career on her own path. The new album mixes in the sound of her 2017 release The Order of Time with some new genres including hip-hop and Afrobeat. June has come a long way since being a part of the MTV reality show “$5 cover” and is even releasing her first book in April called Maps for the Modern World. Even though it has been four years since her last release, the time in between the two has given June the opportunity to continue to grow as an artist and the result is an album that has her transcending throughout the spectrum of music. @thevaleriejune
Tom Grennan Evering Road
What is more painful? Being mugged by a group of strangers that leaves four metal plates and screws in your jaw? Or, writing an album completely about the breakup with your ex? British musician Tom Grennan doesn’t have to pick as he has suffered through both. The pain from the attack is still lingering during the winter months, but with time, the suffering from the breakup will cease.
Evering Road is the sophomore album from the former footballer and not all is lost in the themes of the record. The pain of the relationship is on display through the album, but there is so much hope and positivity sprinkled in as well. Grennan refuses to feel sorry for himself on the record as he knows he was the toxic one in the relationship and does not want the listener to pity him either. The singer comes out of the album holding his head high knowing he has learned from his wrongdoings and ready to take the next steps in leading a healthy relationship.
“Oh Please” is about the lessons learned from a relationship and remaining strong with dealing with the aftermath of the relationships ending. The spiritual “Amen” tackles the internal battles one has, whether it is with yourself or someone. In Grennan’s case, the song is about his relationship and the choices he wanted to make. @Tom_Grennan
Check out these other great releases…….
- Selena Gomez Revelacíon
- Nick Jonas Spaceman
- Rob Zombie The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy
- Eyehategod A History of Nomadic Behavior
- The Paper Kites Roses
Steven McCash is the Music Columnist for SoBros Network, and host of the ‘Drinking With…’ podcast. 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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