10 Albums You Might Have Missed You Need To Know About

Every single year a ton – and I mean a TON – of new music blesses all Spotify accounts and earphones (EarPods if you’re fancy) worldwide. From EPs to mixtapes to albums, we as a society have never had such easy access and consumption of music as it is right now. I mean look at the star of the moment, Ariana Grande; she released two albums in less than a year, cause why the hell not?

With that being said with the volume of music that gets released only 40 can really crack the top 40; the rest merely get disregarded like the Bounty chocolates leftover in the Celebrations tin at Christmas time. The reason for this varies, sometimes it’s due to the lack of familiarity with the artist / music, however more than likely its down to just pure music snobbery. Nonetheless I guess you could say that music is like a carboot sale, someone else’s rubbish is another’s treasure! So here are 10 albums that you might have missed!

1.) Tinashe – Joyride

After more setbacks and delays than Brexit, the triple threat that is Tinashe finally released her highly anticipated second studio album, Joyride in April 2018. Fashionably late and brimming with bangers, the album lives up to its title: taking you on a journey through tropical, flourished bops to silky and sultry love-making tunes (there’s even a flute jam which is something I never knew I needed in my life tbh)

2.) Loyle Carner – Yesterday’s Gone

Croydon rapper Loyle Carner is both candid and driven on his refreshing debut album Yesterday’s Gone. The album is a smooth ride, with R&B grooves nestling up next to jazz tinges and funky guitars. Loyle approaches each track with sensitivity, grace and a contagious energy, as if you’re listening to the South Londoner himself reading out his diary as you listen.

3.) MNEK – Language

In 2018 we saw super-songwriter MNEK spread his wings on his solo debut album, Language, allowing his personality to shine through an impeccably-produced album that features a fair share of infectious pop bangers. Correct is an irresistible slice of Afro-beats infused pop, while 90’s influenced Girlfriend is a tongue-in cheek banger about a man having an affair, enhanced through a flickering snare and a killer lyrical refrain, “neither you or your story’s straight.”

4.) K Michelle – The People I Used To Know

R&B songstress K Michelle takes the lead on her fourth studio album, with K addressing “The people she used to know” in the spoken word intro on the record. Thrusting the listener on a ride of highs, “I think I need another edible,” and lows, “heaven couldn’t save me.” The Kelly Clarkson penned track, Run Don’t Walk, intertwines country and contemporary pop to create a motivational anthem. Kim K is a track that garnered media attention due to the profound lyric, “I wish I was a Kardashian, so I could be black.” The track which uses a sample of DeBarge’s, A Dream, showcases her vocal chops over chopped-up piano chords while discussing the feelings and recognition of black women being dismissed “Black girl who’s angry / media cant stand me.”

5.) The Blaze – Virile

The French production duo, The Blaze, are known for their powerful and emotive music videos and their slow and mournful take on house music. The opening track Prelude, utilises tinkling piano notes with pulsing synths. While second single, Territory, showcases an essence of celebratory while being backed with a pounding beat. Virile, the first single, combines both powerful imagery with poignant melodies. The track uses rising and falling synthizers creating a sense of anxiety and tension, translated in its video. The use of building synths and a pitched down voice allows the ambiguity of the voice to reflect the visuals associated with the EP.

6.) Neon Hitch – Reincarnation

The bright and bold British singer-songwriter Neon Hitch is renowned for her infectious pop bangers such as Fuck U Better and Gold. At the start of 2019 Neon dropped her second studio album, Reincarnation. The album perfectly captures the trials and tribulations the former Camden girl endured during the creation of the album. Crafting catchy and infectious beats (1969) with introspective and poignant songwriting (One Step Away) Neon’s artistry has never been more solid.

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7.) Troye Sivan – Bloom

Soft and delicate, Troye Sivan’s second studio album, Bloom, is a coming of age album which features gentle synths, tender singing and personal and introspective growing up sensibilities. Throughout each track the Perth pop star’s gentle lit voice warmly hugs the sparse synth pop beats.

8.) Jojo – Mad Love

After a decade of record label turmoil, the former tween pop princess Jojo released her third studio album Mad Love in 2017. The album is a wild ride with moments of self-confidence, nostalgia and fresh beats; an album that well-documents the struggles and triumphs Jojo endured over the past 10 years, turning her tales of love, loss, friends and family into one big bold coming-of-age statement.

9.) Tove Lo – Blue Lips

The Swedish singer’s third album acts as a part two to her sophomore effort, Lady Wood. The first single, Disco Tits, is a sexually driven track, blending 1970s disco with 1990s house. Stranger is a track built around a funky, Prince inspired guitar lick, strengthened through echoing and hollow snare drums while showcasing Tove’s vocals to full affect. Hey, You Got Drugs?, the last song on the album, is a beautiful mid-tempo banger with a chanting chorus, charged with emotion and an infectious melody while finishing with a highly sensual and dramatic outro.

10.) Chloe X Halle – The Kids Are Alright

Beyoncé approved sister act Chloe and Halle prove they can do it all on their debut album The Kids Are Alright. Radiating soul and joy, the duo shines as both vocalists and hands-on musicians staking their territory as two of pops most ethereal voices.