If you watched the Grammy’s this year and were less than impressed, take comfort in knowing you weren’t the only one.
Let’s not let that stop us from appreciating some fairly new albums that have pretty much flown under the radar.
Here’s five albums released this past year you might like to explore.
Trousdale – “Growing Pains”
Musicians Quinn D’Andrea, Georgia Greene and Lauren Jones comprise the top-notch pop-folk band Trousdale.
Over the course of one year, this talented trio succeeded in going from zero to a million listeners! The band is now selling out shows in places like Los Angeles and London.
Their new album “Growing Pains” just dropped April 11. Watch for tracks “Over and Over” and “Secondhand Smoke.”
Trousdale plays in Portland June 12 at McMenamins Mission Theater. It’s sold out!
Here they are covering Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.”
Leon Bridges – “Leon”
Retro-soul artist Leon Bridges is back with “Leon.”
Released last fall, its atmospheric vibe paired with Bridges’ strong songwriting will make a fan out of you.
Standout tracks: “That’s What I Love” and “Peaceful Place.”
Favorite track?
“Laredo,” and it’s on KRVM’s playlist!
The Ophelias – “Spring Grove”
Here’s a talented indie band I’ve enjoyed many years. However, like so many aspiring musicians, they’re still very much an unknown in the music scene.
That might change.
Their new album “Spring Grove” is their best yet. It’s also produced by Boygenius member Julien Baker, which of itself may help the band get better known.
“Spring Grove” is an artfully created, introspective album that pulls us in via tracks like the fanciful “Cicada.” Especially noteworthy are rich sounding indie-rocker “Salome,” and the pensive, musically-layered “Cumulonimbus.”
Sheryl Crow – “Evolution”
American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow is back with her twelfth album, “Evolution.”
It’s a fun, high-spirited release with the kind of vibe we can all use right about now!
A few years back, Crow said she was done recording albums. She must have recently been in a songwriting groove, because suddenly the nine-time Grammy award winner realized she had enough tracks to issue a new release.
Describing her new album, Crow says the music “comes from my soul,” adding: “I hope whoever hears this record can feel that.”
This album goes to show Crow’s sassy rock n’ roll never loses its appeal. “Evolution” was produced by Mike Elizondo (Fiona Apple, Maroon 5, Twenty One Pilots)
Lucy Dacus – “Forever is a Feeling”
American singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus just released her fourth studio album, and it’s a beauty.
Filled with evocative compositions and dreamy love songs, this gently uplifting album is sure to earn Dacus wide praise and some new fans.
Her Boygenius bandmates Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers help supply backing vocals. And Irish musician extraordinaire Hozier makes an appearance on the gorgeous “Bullseye.”
Don’t miss this one!
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If none of these albums get you motivated, there’s always Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season,” Taylor Swift’s “Tortured Poets Department” and Chappell Roan’s “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” – all commendable albums still going strong on Billboard.
That’s a Wrap
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