NEW Music Monday: Feb. Week 1
- Alex Fountain
- Feb 3, 2020
- 5 min read
Welcome to your one stop shop on what's happening in the music world and what Fire on the Fountain has to say about it.
Can ya believe it's already February? The first month of the new year (and new music) has already flown by and by the looks of it, 2020 is going to be a BIG year for music as the industry continues to evolve and diversify.
This week was full of festival lineup announcements, album announcements (from Bieber, Porter Robinson, & more), new album releases (from Russ, Kesha, & Yellow Claw), as well as the drop of MULTIPLE new singles from JB, Porter, San Holo, & Nevve. Let's jump in.
FESTIVAL LINEUP RELEASES
The spring is approaching and you know what that means...It's almost festival season and it's time to start choosing between lineups. Releases this week were the lineups of Rolling Loud, held in Miami, and Governors Ball, held in New York City. Check out their lineups below. If you have similar musical taste or if you've been enjoying NEW Music Monday, Gov Ball might be a must.
ALBUM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Changes by Justin Bieber
This week Justin Bieber finally announced the release date of his new album which we recently found out is titled Changes. The album is much anticipated as it is the symbol of Justin's return to music after halting his career in 2015. The new YouTube docu-series, Seasons, depicts Justins' journey back to himself and his core while letting us into the world he's been living in for the past five years. Episodes 1-4 are available now and if you want to know more about the docu-series, read my **spoiler** synopsis here.
With the announcement of Changes release date came a preview of what is to come with the pre-release of "Get Me (feat. Kehlani)." And of course we all already know "Yummy."
BTW: The "Yummy (Summer Walker Remix)" has arrived. Expect to hear this remix on repeat for the next week.
Set your timers and start counting down the days because not only is Feb. 14 Valentine's Day, but the day I come back down with Bieber Fever.
In terms of the single itself, it is an R&B infused single dedicated to his boo, which we can assume of the rest of the album. Kehlani makes an appearance and it's the perfect collaboration for the sound of this track. My interest is peaked and I need more Bieber now.
P.S. When watching Seasons, there are numerous previews of the new releases so if you really can't wait for another hint of the Biebs then watch the docu-series.
Nurture by Porter Robinson
After 5 years, we are about to witness another return to music. Porter Robinson, EDM DJ & producer, is reappearing on the scene with his drop of "Get Your Wish" and announcement of his new album, which will be his third (technically fourth if you count the drop of Worlds (Remixed)). The new project entitled Nurture has the EDM worlds' attention as almost every song on Worlds was a hit and still to this day played & remixed by other artists on the scene.
His music, largely inspired by Japanese pop culture, is so immersive that you can almost feel what he wants you to feel. He is known to put on one of the most mind blowing live performances as his sound has always been captivating. I love the new single and I am very excited to see what Porter will bring to the table for Nurture. Will he continue to include kaleidoscopic sounds and futuristic harmonies or will he channel a new sound entirely?
In addition to the announcement, Porter Robinson also released the first single that will be on Nurture titled "Get Your Wish" and I am here for it.
Although we don't know the exact release date of Nurture, I and the rest of the EDM fam will be patiently waiting for another single to give us more of a hint of what this new project will be like and if it is anything like Worlds, it could be the album that Porter Robinson needs to make it big.
Simulcast by Tycho
Simulcast is set to release Feb. 28 and thank god we've got a tease of the album so we aren't waiting in complete, painful anticipation. This week Tycho released "Stress" and "Outer Sunset" all strongly representing his sound signature.
While a mixture of electronic downtempo, Tycho's ~chill vibe~ is my go-to listen when I'm studying or need to get in the zone. Part of me is hopeful that this same vibe will deliver while another part of me is curious to see what else Tycho can do as an artist.
Check out the two songs already released:
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
Never Dies by Yellow Claw
Alright I absolutely love this album. It hits my EDM spot and has a combination of tracks that range from "I'm in my feels" to "Let's freaking rage."
Never Dies is the fourth studio EDM album for this dutch DJ and known for some legendary collaborations, not limited to his tracks with San Holo and Flux Pavillion. This new release is a steady mix of melodic electronic music and heavy drops to fuel your EDM hunger.
Some of my favorites so far are:
SHAKE THE SNOW GLOBE by Russ
I have to be real with you guys...I did not enjoy this album. I Included it in this week because I know my following is made up of some Russ fans and therefore wanted to pass along the message of this release but after listening to the album through, there wasn't anything that made this project stand out amongst other rap/hip-hop releases. Now maybe I am just a bandwagon fan of Russ, but I don't think I'll be adding this album to my top of 2020 thus far.
High Road by Kesha
High Road isn't just an album release from Kesha. It's symbolic of Kesha's journey through stardom and self discovery. Although there are only a few songs on the album that will be making it to my personal playlists, it is still very entertaining to watch Kesha's incorporation of Ke$ha in her new music, although she has "left that part of her." Some of my personal favs are:
Zer0 by Krewella
The two sisters behind Krewella definitely show that being an EDM powerhouse is not just a mans game. Currently on the rise, Krewella takes a pop approach to heavier electronic music.
Zer0 Is their third album and they are ready to be seen in the EDM world.
Listen to the album here.
NEW SINGLE RELEASES
"Only The Young" by Taylor Swift
Fun Fact: This song is an original from her Netflix documentary that just released Miss Americana.
"Honest" by Broods & San Holo
If you only listen to one track from this week's NEW Music Monday, please listen to this. San Holo is one of my favorite artists and one of the most talented musicians/producers/composers rising out of the electronic music scene.
"Smile Without U (feat. Nevve)" by Bear Grillz
"Here with Me (feat. Nevve)" by ARMNHMR
"Shampoo Bottles" by Peach Pit
"Pull Up The Drop" by Ookay & LAXX
"We Are Love" by Don Diablo
"Good in Goodbye" by Madison Beer
As you can see, a lot has happened this week but get ready for more new releases next week. Catch up on what's hot with me every Monday.
XOXO. Peace and blessings.
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