March has been a great month for music with albums from queens Kali Uchis and Miley Cyrus and we’re only halfway through. Don’t let any gems slip under your radar. Check out our roundup highlighting the best tracks released this week for music you can’t miss off your playlist.
Lana Del Rey – ‘The Grants’
Angelic Lana dwells on death, memory, and family on the third single from her forthcoming album Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd. In the touching single Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, aka Lana, carries memories of her loved ones both past and present promising that she will always take them with her – even into the afterlife. Her previous single ‘A&W’ has already become a sensation on TikTok with all the it girls lip-syncing “Your mom called…” whilst showing off the best coquette fits. The wait for Lana’s ninth studio album is almost: we’ll be able to stream it on 24th March. At 16 tracks long and a whopping 77 minutes, it will be a treat for all Lana lovers. Until then you know we’ll have ‘The Grants’, ‘A&W’, and the title track on repeat.
JPEGMAFIA x Danny Brown – ‘Lean Beef Patty’
On the first taste of the Peggy X Danny Brown collab album, Scaring The Hoes Vol. 1, the rappers are taking no prisoners. ‘Lean Beef Patty’, the title referring to the username of a popular online fitness content creator, discusses some of the darker aspects of internet culture with a scathing yet teasing tone hitting out at Drake, Elon Musk, Lil Yachty, Hulk Hogan, and Kanye. Fans have taken to the comment section to voice their praises of the experimental hip hop track that twists a sample of P. Diddy’s ‘I Need a Girl (Pt. 2)’ (the same song Ice Spice samples on ‘Gangsta Boo’) to create a squeaky contagious melody. The album that has been teased for over a year will be out on the 24th March.
Róisín Murphy – ‘CooCool’
Róisín is back and she’s got a new sound up her (no doubt glittery) sleeves. Bringing us a warm house and downtempo fused track, the eccentric disco star seems to have taken a chill pill since her last release, 2020’s high energy Róisín Machine. Poetically Murphy calls the song, “Ostensibly a fragile little flower yet it has great hidden strength at the roots”. We can expect more mellow music from the singer with her album Hit Paradecoming at some point later this year.
DJ Koze – ‘Blissda’
Producer of ‘CooCool’ and long-time collaborator of Róisín Murphy, German techno DJ and producer DJ Koze’s solo projects should not be overlooked. Foggy and soothing, on his newest single ‘Blissda’ echoey synths and electronic beats seem to be gradually growing closer to the listener through a misty landscape. This twilight track is one for the after-party playlist for sure.
Miley Cyrus – ‘River’
The soundtrack to our summer is here. Endless Summer Vacation Miley’s eighth studio album was released this week on the 10th March and as expected it’s jam-packed with bops. The love letter to LA contains a mix of country-inspired ballads, summery pop anthems, and experimental pounding electronica. All different but all ever so Miley. According to the singer ESV “feels like an intimate honest conversation” and “really represents who I am”. Can we look forward to a tour announcement from the wild child of pop soon? In the meantime, you can watch the brand-new video for the electric single ‘River’ and the Backyard Sessions of performances of songs from the album on Disney +.
‘Fool’s Gold’ – Yazmin Lacey
The debut album, Voice Notes, from R&B soul singer Yazmin Lacey has so many gorgeous tracks it was difficult to pick just one. Her performance on the COLORSXSTUDIOS channel gained her a following after receiving over 1.3M views and she’s on track for success with her stellar new album. The London-born Nottingham-based 33-year-old’s album was released on the 3rd March and is full of smooth guitar licks, snappy drum beats, and Yazmin’s luscious vocals. Relax to the bongo-filled ‘Fool’s Gold’.
‘Kiss the Ring (freestyle)’ – Maiya the Don
Maiya Early, better known as Maiya the Don, says she makes music for “all the pretty fly bitches”. With her crazy unique vocals, stylish fits, and infectiously fun energy it’s no surprise that her fanbase is growing. Her biggest video ‘TELFY’ now has over 1.3M views and Pitchfork has praised her song ‘Dusties’ released earlier this month. The latest from the rapper from Brooklyn is her freestyle ‘Kiss the Ring’, which dropped on the 15thMarch, Maiya’s 21st birthday. It’s full of swagger and will have you feeling on top of the world. As the up-and-comer says, “fuck being humble imma put it i they face”!
‘Love You’ – flowerovlove
Joyce Cissie, better known as flowerovlove, is the 18-year-old growing cult following among Gen Z Lo-Fi fans. The teen from London has already featured in a Gucci campaign, sold out tour dates, and walked in Paris Fashion week for XULY.Bët – she’s one to watch out for. Her newest track ‘Love You’ is a bedroom pop bop that radiates youthful energy with a psychedelic flare. The positively adorable music video for the song, directed by the talented artist, was released on the 10th March featuring flowerovlove serenading herself with love and positivity.
‘Miracle’ – Calvin Harris/Ellie Goulding
Everyone loves Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding, and a good old throwback 90s trancey track. It seems like ‘Miracle’ is a match made in heaven. The pair previously landed hits with 2012’s ‘I Need Your Love’, which reached number four in the UK, and 2014’s ‘Outside’, which reached number six. Featuring a thumping beat from the Scottish DJ and fairy-like soprano vocals from Ellie, it already feels like a certified club classic and is dripping with nostalgic warehouse-rave energy.
Words by: Molly Sutherland
Header Graphics by Magdalen Manning
