10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of April 19, 2024
Is April too early to declare an album of the year?
Ever since Taylor Swift first announced the release of The Tortured Poets Department at the Grammys, we knew we were in for a masterpiece, and the new double-album, out today, just might be her magnum opus. But let's not let TTPD's 30-plus songs completely overshadow the rest of the week's big releases. To find out what we loved best, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of April 19, 2024.
(The Tortured Poets Department via Republic Records)
1. DARUMAS Introduce Themselves to the World With Debut Single, 'Daruma'
Latin musical trio DARUMAS are fresh on the scene, and their funky Spanish-language debut single, "Daruma," has us instantly hooked. The group consists of Argentinian bassist and vocalist Aldana, Cuban-American guitarist and vocalist Ceci and Haitian-born, Chile-based vocalist Vedala, and both their first song and band name represent a Japanese symbol of luck and happiness. We love the way that comes through in the danceable, upbeat song, especially with is irresistible bassline. "Darumas is a band formed by three amazing girls," Vedala shared in a press release. "We are three musicians from different parts of the world."
2. SYLO Must Leave Love Behind in 'So Familiar'
It's an exciting time for fans of Korean-Canadian alt-R&B artist SYLO as he gears up to release his next full-length project, and his new single "So Familiar" is our second sensational taste of what's to come. Driven by SYLO's vulnerable soulful vocals and building jazzy instrumentation, it's a song about realizing you've grown beyond your current relationship, and struggling to leave it in the past. In a press release, Sylo described the song as "A paradox of wanting to care for someone so deeply yet knowing you can no longer do it."
3. VALÉ Isn't Afraid to Lose Her Chill in 'chill like that'
Colombian pop artist VALÉ is currently making big waves on tour across North America with The Driver Era, and her new single, "chill like that," is our favorite track yet. Set to appear on her upcoming EP, it's got a lusciously laidback vibe and dreamy vocals. However, the lyrics—combining English and Spanish—contrast with the relaxed sound as she expresses her anger, refusing to put up with bad treatment. "'chill like that' is one of my favorite songs off the EP," VALÉ shared in a press release. "I think it's such a brilliant track! The actual production sounds so soft, dreamy and sweet, but the lyrics talk about me not being a 'chill girl.' Love a paradox moment in songs!"
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About Colombian 'oop' Singer-Songwriter VALÉ
4. Ivory Layne Explores the Complexity of Her 'good girl guilt' in New Single
Rising inside artist Ivory Layne is best known for hits including "Superman" and "Boy Loves Me," and she's back in a big way as she prepares for her next project with "good girl guilt." With soaring vocals and twinkling guitars, it gives us echoes of the '90s greats as Ivory sings about the contradictory expectations put upon young women to do with goodness and pleasure, and the guilt that can result. "'good girl guilt' honestly terrifies me," Ivory shared in a press release. "Shame doesn't like spotlight, and shame is a huge part of what this song describes. It kept me isolated for years. I never thought I'd write about it. But then I started sharing. Slowly. With friends, with a counselor. So this song is the result of that; I wept while writing it. I can't just keep it to myself, and I want to thank all of the incredible women in my life, including my mom, who encouraged me to share 'good girl guilt' with the world."
5. Knox Laments Lost Love in 'Change Your Mind'
Alt-pop sensation Knox is having an explosive spring so far, with his 2023 single "Not the 1975" coming back as a smash hit and his sold-out headline tour, The I'm So Good at Being Alone Tour, underway. His new single, "Change Your Mind," adds further to the excitement, serving as one of the most anthemic and lively breakup tracks we've heard all year. Backed by jangly guitars, it's a song about being left behind in a relationship and realizing you're powerless to change things. We think this one is going to be big on tour. "I'm six states away from home and there's a thousand people in the audience that are singing the song that I wrote with my friends in my bedroom," Knox said of the tour in a press release. "That's when it gets you, when you see people connecting to something that I made with my best friends. It's the most unreal feeling in the world."
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About 'Sneakers' Singer-Songwriter Knox
6. Debbii Dawson Dreams of Her 'Happy World'
We first discovered singer-songwriter Debbii Dawson through America's Got Talent when she sang a sensational ABBA cover, and she's keeping the magic going with her new ABBA-esque single, "Happy World." Debbii wears her '70s rock and disco influences on her sleeve as she belts out its enchanting lyrics about her struggles, and imagining a happier world she could retreat to. "'Happy World' offers a glimpse into my inner psyche and paints a picture of the world I created for myself while living in isolation," Debbii revealed in a press release. "The upbeat and bright lyrics and production veil and contrast the song's darker desperation." Debbii also just announced her signing to RCA, with a new EP coming later this year, and we can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve.
7. Presence Runs Back to Love in 'RUNNING BACK 2 YOU!'
With his debut album on the way, alt-pop artist Presence is one we've been watching very closely in 2024, and his new single, "RUNNING BACK 2 YOU!" only makes us more excited for what's to come. Blending pop-punk and hip-hop sounds, the track is based on his real-life relationship with his girlfriend. Fearing commitment, he broke up with her after four years of dating, only to instantly regret his decision and see the mistake he'd made—and possibly with the relationship becoming even stronger in the process. "We split and I ventured off, only to realize the obvious," Presence explained in a press release. "I could never connect with anyone else the way I do with her. Sure enough, I called her and told her I missed her. We met for donuts and decided we wanted to try things over. I'm grateful she let me back in; I love her more than life itself."
the third single from his upcoming debut album
8. Young Franco and Master Peace Join Forces for the Infectious 'WAKE UP!'
Australian DJ and producer Young Franco and U.K. indie artist Master Peace have teamed up for the new song "Wake Up," and it has one of the funkiest, most irresistible sounds we've heard all year. With an infectious blend of punk and hip-hop sensibilities, it's driven by a bold bassline and smooth bars as the guys take us through the highs and lows of just trying to make it in life. "Working with Master Peace has been an amazing experience," Young Franco said in a press release. "I found out about his project via his record 'Eyes on You' and wanted to work with him since that moment. I was writing a bunch of tracks in 2020, one of them being an early version of 'Wake Up,' which I wrote with Elliot from Delta Riggs. I connected with Master Peace online and once I got to London last year, we smashed this in a couple of hours. His new record is fantastic and I'm super excited how this one turned out. Special mention to Danio from Husky Loops for some added production, too."
9. Rachel Chinouriri 'It Is What It Is'
Indie pop star Rachel Chinouriri is rapidly on the rise ahead of her highly anticipated debut album, What a Devastating Turn of Events, which releases May 3, and we just got our final preview in the form of the new single "It Is What It Is." Rachel's signature style is on full display in the new track, with her frustration shining through in the spoken-word verses as she tears down a potential partner who wasn't what he made himself out to be. "Well, I was definitely in a petty mood," Rachel said of the track in a press release. "It's interesting because humans are full of flaws and I have the privilege of going through therapy, which has massively helped me with my self-development journey. However, there are those moments where you want to be so petty because someone's done you wrong. I've learned I'm responsible for how I allow men to treat me because they feel I'm worthless enough to be treated that way and it's a big F U to them as I've not discovered how much I deserve. I just feel annoyed I never got to say what I wanted and that's fine… I have this song instead and it is what it is."
Also read about: Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department Pop-up Is Positively Packed With Easter Eggs
10. Taylor Swift Surprises the World With The Tortured Poets Department Double Album
After a week of treasure hunts and Easter eggs, fans thought they knew what they were in for with the release of Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department, but we don't think anyone could have anticipated that it would be a double album with 31 total tracks instead of the expected 16. The luscious album is vulnerably folksy with a touch of electro-pop, unraveling a tale of heartache, betrayal and despair—but it's so much more than just a breakup(s) album, with Taylor's storytelling at its very best. "The Tortured Poets Department," Taylor wrote in an Instagram post. "An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time—one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure. This period of the author's life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up. There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed. And upon further reflection, a good number of them turned out to be self-inflicted. This writer is of the firm belief that our tears become holy in the form of ink on a page. Once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it. And then all that's left behind is the tortured poetry."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of April 12, 2024.