New Albums You Should Hear During Quarantine

Soothe your anxiety with Jhené Aiko’s latest album Chilombo. Released in March 2020, this transcendental R&B album consists of 20 tracks with features like H.E.R, Big Sean, Ty Dolla $ign, and John Legend among others. Chilombo incorporates singing bowls, sound bowls, mantras, and vibrational hums that create a meditative and tranquil atmosphere to practice sound healing. Embracing the different stages of relationships, Chilombo touches upon love and loss, heartbreak, forgiveness, and a whole lot of self-love and discovery. The dreamy and soulful R&B tunes on this album will definitely relax you during these stressful times. 

Favorite Tracks: None of Your Concern (ft. Big Sean), B.S. (ft. H.E.R.), Happiness Over Everything (ft. Future & Miguel), Pray for You, Lighting & Thunder (ft. John Legend)

The Weeknd’s fourth studio album After Hours creates a nostalgic cinematic universe with a synth-pop and moody R&B feel. Abel’s unique falsetto voice sings about being the “hardest to love,” loneliness, regret, and admitting to his faults in a relationship. This hauntingly beautiful melodramatic album transitions from song to song with an effortless production. As a promo for the new album, The Weeknd also released a 5-minute long chillingly eerie short film that shows a bloody, sweaty, and increasingly disoriented Abel. The visuals in the short film alone are an incredible piece of production that leads the way for the music videos to follow, and of course the album itself. 

Favorite Tracks: Too Late, Hardest To Love, Blinding Lights, Save Your Tears, After Hours

Bad Bunny revisits yet transforms old school reggaetón in YHLQMDLG, while maintaining his Latin trap sound and giving his fans hit anthems for future nights of perreo. The all-Spanish 20 track album, “Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana” or “I do whatever I want,” features OG reggaetón artists like Daddy Yankee, Ñengo Flow, and Jowell y Randy. The album kicks off with “Si Veo A Tu Mamá,” a “sad boy hour” song about still having feelings for someone even though it’s a mistake. The list follows with definite party tracks that will get everyone on the dance floor and forgetting their last relationship. Benito manages to keep it fresh by spicing up “Hablamos Mañana” with a heavy rock ending that transitions into the last track. Bad Bunny does not confine his music to a single box in his sophomore album and in turn, does whatever he wants. 

Favorite Tracks: Si Veo A Tu Mamá, La Santa (ft. Daddy Yankee), Yo Perreo Sola, A Tu Merced, Hablamos Mañana (ft. Duki & Pablo Chill-E)

The married duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley released their fifth studio album Swimmer on Valentine’s Day for all the dream-pop lovers. Tennis’ aesthetic continues to carry in their discography with Moore’s angelic vocals and nostalgic retro-inspired vibes. Producing their own album, the duo manages to curate a joyous and melodic sound while writing about heavy topics like marriage, life, and death. The catchy yet powerful “Need Your Love,” shifts from a captivating drumbeat to a slow tempo change that reflects the anger yet healing of emotions in the lyrics. Ten years since their formation as a band, Tennis keeps it simple yet refreshing with a mature sound. 

Favorite Tracks: Need Your Love, Swimmer, Tender As A Tomb, Late Night

This one goes out to all my Pop and One Direction fans. The former boy band member, Niall Horan, released his second studio album Heartbreak Weather just last week. The 14-track album holds a mix of fast upbeat sounds with heartbreaking lyrics. In “Everywhere,” Niall sings the lyrics, “And my heart’s under control, why is loving you not fair? You’re everywhere,” to an energetic drum beat and acoustic strumming. While Heartbreak Weather contains powerful songs to dance and sing live to, it also consists of romantic and earnest ballads like “Put A Little Love On Me” and “Still.” From his One Direction days, Niall and his music continue to grow and mature impressively.  

Favorite Tracks: Cross Your Mind, Everywhere, San Francisco, Still, Nice To Meet Ya