The 13 new albums you should stream right now
New projects from Dominic Fike, (Liv).e, a visual album from Beyoncé, and much more.
Beyoncé, Black Is King
After starring in last year's remake of The Lion King and curating its soundtrack album The Gift, Beyoncé returns with Black is King, a new visual album inspired by the film's soundtrack and directed by Beyoncé. Songs from The Gift get the visual treatment in the film, which was shot around the world in locations such as West Africa, New York, London, and South Africa. Black Is King is streaming exclusively on Disney+, for now.
Stream: Disney+
(Liv).e, Couldn't Wait To Tell You...
Liv.e (pronounced "Liv") makes Martian soul music — dusty and mysterious but unmistakeably vivid and, to the right ears, teaming with life. Her debut album Couldn't Wait To Tell You... follows through on the Los Angeles artist's promising career so far, which has included opening for Earl Sweatshirt and hosting an album listening party with Erykah Badu.
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp
Fontaines D.C., A Hero's Death
The Dublin post-punk group return with another project of urgent stompers after the critically-acclaimed 2019 album Dogrel. Lead vocalist Grian Chatten once again occupies the spotlight with the bravado of a street poet and the flair of an organizer, lending an urgency to the surrounding music.
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp
Dominic Fike, What Could Possibly Go Wrong
What Could Possibly Go Wrong, a rhetorical question for 2020 if there ever was one, is the debut album from Florida pop singer-songwriter Dominic Fike. He got industry attention and a small but rabid fanbase with the 2017 EP Don't Forget About Me, Demos, which lead to the popular 2018 single "3 Nights" and a few collaborations with BROCKHAMPTON and Kevin Abstract. WCPGW was preceded by the singles "Chicken Tenders" and "Politics & Violence."
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
Romare, Home
Electronic producer Romare knows how to have fun. His last album, 2016's Love Songs: Part 2 effortlessly combined the cool with the kitschy, and his new project Home delivers the same indefatigable individuality.
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp
Alanis Morissette, Such Pretty Forks in the Road
The mind behind one of the most beloved and successful albums of the '90s, Jagged Little Pill, has returned with her ninth studio album and her first in eight years. The iconic angst of her biggest project could be heard on the lead single "Smiling," though "Reasons I Drink" opted for a more contemporary, jaunty sound.
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
Alex Izenberg, Caravan Château
A little bit R. Stevie Moore and a little bit Burt Bacharach, Alex Izenberg is back with another album of homespun pop music.
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp
Dame, Dame
This Boston four-piece has turned in an album of some of the catchiest Bauhaus-inspired goth rock since the glory days of Interpol. Not bad for the first full-length project.
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp
SD x Brian Fresco, MuddBruddas
SD, co-founder of the legendary Chicago crew GBE (and the artist of one of drill's classic songs "Circles") teams up with SAVEMONEY's Brian Fresco for the collaborative tape MuddBruddas. The beats from producers like 808 Mafia, Pi'erre Bourne, and CashMoney AP might entice the unfamiliar, but the talent both rappers have for earworms ("Teef Gold" is a song of the summer) and tight bars invite repeat listens.
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music | Soundcloud
Shamana, Five Loaves of Bread and Two Fish
Twitch streamer and producer Shamana remixes rap into his own hazy underworld reminiscent of DJ Screw, Actress, and YAYAYI.
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp
Devon Welsh, Click Here Now!
After the unexpected rise of his group Majical Cloudz (which included a tour with Lorde) was met with an equally surprising breakup, Devon Welsh has taken to quietly releasing solo albums with little to no promotion. His latest is Click Here Now!, a six-track musical interpretation of Welsh's poetry.
Stream: Bandcamp
Trevor Powers, Capricorn
The second solo album from the San Diego artist formerly known as Youth Lagoon eschews experimental pop for a journey through phosphorescent ambiance and entrancing instrumentation.
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp
George Clanton & Nick Hexum, George Clanton & Nick Hexum
What happens when one of vaporwave's most talented pop producers teams up with the frontman of 311 (yes, that 311)? An album that revives chillwave and dissolves cynicism. Yeah, this technically dropped last week, but it's so unexpected in so many ways, I had to put it on this week's roundup.
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp