Ten albums you don’t want to miss this month – March 2020

Yumi Zouma – Truth & Consequences

This album is what we so desperately need in these strange times we’re now living in. The alternative-pop band from New Zealand have broken into Europe and we’re so happy to see them. Truth & Consequences is an indie pop collection of songs that ranges between wonderfully mellow and lightly joyous. It’s a chilled-out collection to see us through to the lighter summer evenings.

Niall Horan – Heartbreak Weather

Title track Heartbreak Weather is the best one on this album, but that doesn’t mean much when every song should be a smash hit single. It’s surprising from the One Direction breakaway star, but Heartbreak Weather is an energetic exploration of different styles and sounds. From the Kasabian-inspired swing of Nice to Meet Ya to the song designed for a sing-along, Put a Little Love on Me, this is not an album to hang back on this month.

Circa Waves – Sad Happy

This is Circa Waves as we’ve never seen them before. Diverging from their standard indie boy band sound and lyrics, Circa Waves have produced an album that’s much more meaningful. It’s split into two parts; the first, Happy, has been around since January, but the second, Sad, was only released this month. While both parts contain upbeat songs, it’s the lyrical themes that separate them, demonstrating the fleeting emotions of happiness and sadness in the millennial brain… apparently.

The Lottery Winners – The Lottery Winners

Punchy and euphoric, this debut album sets The Lottery Winners as one of the bands to watch in 2020. Songs like Elizabeth, Young Again and I Know have rumblings of The Wombats, Oasis and Blur, while Headlock stands on its own as an inspiring rock ballad. There’s not a single dud song on this 12-track album, each one revealing something new and unique about this Manchester-born band and their developing sound.

Lauv – How I’m Feeling

Californian singer Lauv is truly in his feelings with his debut album, and we love it. This breakout album is, admittedly, a show of his famous friends, featuring collaborations with the likes of Anne Marie, Troye Sivan, Alessia Cara and BTS. But this is Lauv’s own brand of emotional alt-pop and it’s refreshingly honest about feelings of depression and loneliness. Merging exciting synthy beats with vocals, the catchy hooks of Drugs & the Internet and Fuck, I’m Lonely stand out, ensuring we’ll be listening to them on repeat.

The Weeknd – After Hours

With only a few songs released before the 20^th March, it might be a bit premature to put The Weeknd’s new album After Hours in a top 10 list. But if we didn’t know what we were going to get from the smash hit Blinding Lights, the title track released this week does it for us. It’s the sensual mixture of beats and light vocals that we’ve heard before and we’re unlikely to be tired of any time soon. Undoubtedly one to look forward to in a couple of days’ time.

Flora Cash – Baby, It’s Okay

If only for their track You’re Somebody Else, this album deserves to reach the highest of heights. It’s been a long time coming for this Swedish-American indie pop duo, with the song first released two years ago, but this collection of 12 gentle ballads does it justice. Never ones to fall back on what they’ve done before, Flora Cash move in on emotional upheaval with unique instrumentals and catchy vocals in this wonderful new album.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Blue Moon Rising EP

We might not have heard any more about the rumoured Oasis reunion, but both Liam and Noel have new music out separately this month. Blue Moon Rising is the latest musical venture of the Oasis founder, one that proves again that as time goes on, the two brothers are musically moving even further apart. This EP sets out in a dream-like sequence with title track Blue Moon Rising that almost lingers towards a dance-track style anthem, and only catches itself last minute. It’s wonderfully unexpected and we wait for more.

Caroline Rose – Superstar

This album is centred around a character who abandons their life in the mistaken pursuit of fame. Superstar is the second album by critically-acclaimed lyricist Caroline Rose, who cashed in on her debut album with a delicious, rough-cut set of pop singles. This new album, however, is more about the journey than the destination, as she pushes for a loftier sound and a potent combination of high pitch and hushed vocals across all the songs.

Love & The Outcome – You Got This

Sometimes in dark times all you need is sickly-sweet pop. Although this has more of an edge to it, it’s only a small one. You Got This is the new EP from duo Love & The Outcome and it’s full to the brim with songs that sound like motivational quotes. Where You Are declares: “Life is more than about chasing every high”; instead “life is where you are.” It might not be one to put on repeat if you’re not in need of serious motivation, but it’s sure to put a smile on your face.

Grace Walsh