OFM New Music: February 2021

This month’s must-catch new music releases from the artists you already love or the musicians you need to know. 

FEATURED HIGH NOTE:

Julien Baker, Little Oblivions

Emotion marks everything that Julien Baker touches, like a brand or seal of pure and raw expression, and the upcoming release of her third, studio album Little Oblivions is no different. The singer-songwriter has taken her time in developing a body of work in these 12 tracks that is fluid, moving with a cohesion and ease all whilst expanding upon her ever-bashful and composed nature.

The follow-up to Baker’s 2017 sophomore album Turn Out The Lights explores a different side of Baker, seeing her reach deeper into the intimate nature that is often prevalent in her songwriting. Refining her musical prowess, this is not the stripped-down, acoustic artist we know—this is a rich and robust curator of expression that is designed for a listener who craves rich resonance. 

The queer musician has always been eloquent and elegant in the way she dives into themes of life, love, reflection, self-deprecation, and the heartache that exists in the human condition. However, Little Oblivions takes everything we know Baker to be and begs our ears to open and our minds to expand into embracing the discomfort of growth and healing. 

“Faith Healer,” the first single to be released from Little Oblivions, is Baker’s examination of  how we use behaviors and beliefs to explain away unhealthy channeling of energy and existence. “Put most simply, I think that ‘Faith Healer’ is a song about vices, both the obvious and the more insidious ways that they show up in the human experience,” Baker explains. 

“I started writing this song two years ago, and it began as a very literal examination of addiction. For a while, I only had the first verse, which is just a really candid confrontation of the cognitive dissonance a person who struggles with substance abuse can feel—the overwhelming evidence that this substance is harming you, and the counterintuitive but very real craving for the relief it provides.  When I revisited the song, I started thinking about the parallels between the escapism of substance abuse and the other various means of escapism that had occupied a similar, if less easily identifiable, space in my psyche.”

Never one to shy away from deep topics like mental health, addiction, and even death in her music, Baker’s unique ability to write songs that resonate on a guttural level yet keep us floating atop her vibrant melodies continues to be her strongest attribute. Releases February 26 2021. 

Related article: PHNTMS- Rock Music with a Queer Message

MORE MUSIC OUT THIS MONTH:

Rhye 

Home

A true soundtrack for a sensual and seductive kind of love, the new release from the illustrious and experiential musician Rhye, aka Michael Milosh, is the perfect accompaniment to any provocative proclivities. Home delivers a mood of curious exploration paired with a carnal desire, while telling the story of a pure and rich love. With vocal styling reminiscent of disco-era ballads, sink and simmer in the soothing beats of Home. Released January 22 , 2021. 

Odette 

Herald

British-born, Sydney-based singer-songwriter Georgia Odette Sallybanks, who goes simply by Odette, has released her most powerful and self-reflective piece of art yet. Self-analysis through documenting the demise of relationships is the driving theme throughout the upcoming Herald. With a haunting resonance, Odette pushes every boundary with chilling melodies, driving drum beats, and intricate instrumental assortments that serve us Björk boldness meets Lana Del Rey lyricism. This artist is one to watch, be sure to catch all the new music.

Releases February 5, 2021. 

slowthai

TYRON

In his second, full-length album, rapper Tyron Frampton, aka slowthai, is on the precipice of reinvention. While the 25-year-old Brit is still cutting his teeth in the business, he has a lot to say when it comes to loneliness, isolation, and regret. A proclivity for provocation, the artist exposes raw ambition and opens a window to young, male emotion. Exploring the complexities of life, the album shows that a duality of aggression and tenderness can simultaneously exist. 

Releases February 5, 2021. 

Cassandra Jenkins: 

An Overview on Phenomenal Nature

The new album from Jenkins embodies the ever-present reality of life in flux, as the tracks explore intimate and impressionistic portraits of both friends and strangers through music. Taking us on a tour of her daydreams, influences of chamber-pop and ambient folk take precedent and provide a landscape of ease amid the turmoil.

Releases February 19, 2021. 

Lady Gang 

Full Throttle

The first full-length album from multi-instrumentalist, Denver Americana staple Jen Korte sees the artist take new risks and showcase her versatile and experiential prowess. Featuring her skills in both songwriting and producing, this labor of love and passion embodies the essence of Lady Gang in the way she mixes genres and styles, highlights humanitarian issues, and calls out industry injustices. Check out our in-depth feature last month where Korte talks all about the new tunes and the music industry at large.     

Releases February 26, 2021. 

*Read the full interview with Lady Gang here.

Glitterer 

Life is Not a Lesson

Fiercely guitar-centric, the menacing riffs that Glitterer’s Ned Russin has driven into this new record to evoke an alt-metal, hardcore, punk aesthetic that fits the vibe of 2021. Leaning into the panic that this last year has stirred up in us all, Life is Not a Lesson will make you feel those feelings and reckon with the trap that the mind can become. Track-by-track, the crunchy, indie-rock outfit Glitterer is hand-serving a delicious dose of worldly doom and gloom.

Releases February 26, 2021.