Angels rejoice, it’s finally here! Charli XCX’s highly anticipated new album ‘how i’m feeling now’ is a completely unique prospect, recorded and released entirely in isolation with Charli using whatever tools she had at her disposal during the record’s 6-week creative period. Lockdown has pushed Charli to create her most honest, unpredictably creative music to date.
London-based singer-songwriter Jessica Winter releases the second track, ‘Sad Music’, from her upcoming EP under the same title. “Music helps me realise that you are not alone that every one of us is capable of the best and worst feelings and actions in this world,” says Winter over email. “This song was born out of a particularly bad day and how music was a saviour at that time.”
Perfume Genius’ fifth album ‘Set My Heart on Fire Immediately’, listed as Pitchfork’s Best Album to listen to this month, BRICKS recommends taking a listen to ‘Jason’ included in our Best New Music Spotify playlist embedded below.
Self Esteem release their ‘Cuddles Please‘ EP which includes alt-versions of songs from her debut album, and a cover of Alex Cameron’s ‘Miami Memory’. The EP includes reworkings of formerly released tracks ‘Favourite Problem’, ‘The Best’ and ‘In Time’. “After doing a run of special stripped back shows, I thought it would be nice to record some of the songs that work best in that format,” Rebecca (aka Self Esteem) explains. “I really love to sing the songs in their birthday suits.”
Moses Sumney released the first part of his second album græ back in February. The released second half of his double album includes the recently released single “Bless Me.” “In order for something to be artful and valid and full of meaning, it doesn’t have to be esoteric, obscured, or mysterious,” he said in Pitchfork’s cover story “Moses Sumney Is Ready to Claim His Spotlight.” BRICKS recommends taking a listen to ‘before you go’.
Other must listens include new releases from Kim Petras, Megan The Stallion and Yung Lean.
For visuals, Harry Styles has released the video for his track ‘Watermelon Sugar’, a much-needed antidote to our currently cancelled hot girl summer. Filmed in January on Malibu beach, the video also opens with the message: “This video is dedicated to touching,” something that has also become a distant memory for many of us during isolation.
Arca has shared the video for Non-Binary taken from her new album KiCK I. Directed by Frederik Heyman, the video sees Arca in a series of elaborate sci-fi inspired sets, surrounded by mechanical arms that alter and augment her body.