10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of March 29, 2024
Now that it's officially April, things have been really heating up in the music world.
This week, we were graced with Conan Gray's deliciously heartbreaking third album, plus sizzling new singles from ANGEL22, Chappell Roan, Laci Kaye Booth and so many more. To check out what has us hooked, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of April 5, 2024.
(Photo credit: Muriel Knudson)
1. Um, Jennifer? Drop Debut EP, The Girl Class
As mega-fans of NYC-based indie duo Um, Jennifer? since their very first single, "Girl Class," we'd been eagerly anticipating the release of their first EP, and The Girl Class delivers. Blending fun and playful pop-punk sounds with lyrics close to the heart, the five-track EP has the two tackling topics from growing up and relationships to gender and the trans experience. "'Girl Class' was the first song we put out, and kind of felt like an introduction to ourselves as the band and a lot of the themes this project discusses," shared the band's Eli Scarpati in an interview with Sweety High. "In a lot of ways Um, Jennifer? is kind of an ode to femininity and gender. It's centered around female archetypes and trans stories."
Also read about: How Um, Jennifer? Explored the Big Questions of Life on Their Debut EP, The Girl Class
2. Angel White Tells a New Kind of Cowboy Story in'OUTLAW'
Texan country singer-songwriter Angel White has instantly captured our hearts with his new single, "OUTLAW." Driven by soulful vocals and a bluesy acoustic guitar, it beautifully captures the artist's unique blend of folk-country as he tells a tale of a cowboy who takes off after having a shootout with his lover, nursing his bullet wound as he leaves. It's accompanied by a music video with a romantic country vibe, and will also appear on Angel's upcoming debut project, GHOST OF THE WEST: VOLUME I, set to release on May 10.
3. Luna Shadows Indulges Herself in Optimistic New Single 'heroine'
Indie-pop artist and producer Luna Shadows is gearing up to release her sophomore album, bathwater, and we love the latest taste with her new single, "heroine." With a warm and vibrant pop sound, it's a playful celebration of self-love and the joy and potential in finding yourself and finally feeling free. "'heroine' is a high point—it's for those days when you feel free-spirited, adventurous, intense, creative, lovable and invincible," Luna explained in a press release. "It's the point in the video game where you run over a star and pick up speed, as sparkles trail out from behind you. The sun seems brighter, the sky looks bluer and temporarily, the world feels full of possibility. For me, these moments are exceptionally rare and fleeting, so I really try to enjoy them while they last. 'Heroine' is also inspired by some of my favorite literature and films, and just the concept of the female lead in general. Societally, women have historically been conditioned to be selfless, apologetic and moderated. In everyday life, I am very focused on being a good person, on putting others first, on being honest and fair. 'heroine' is shamelessly self-indulgent. It is permission to explore what it'd be like to long for things unapologetically for once, a meditation on a lack of moderation, a kind of fantasy about fulfilling your wants and needs without having to consider the emotional needs of others – just for a while."
4. Jagwar Twin Puts a Whole New Twist on 'Bad Feeling (Oompa Loompa)' With an Acoustic Version
Jagwar Twin's infectious and irresistible "Bad Feeling (Oompa Loompa)" has been ubiquitous since its release in December, and we wouldn't have it any other way. You may think you know the song, but you've never heard it quite the way it's presented in this new live acoustic performance from the star. It's positively brimming with life—especially with some help from the passionate crowd—and we love the sonic different aspects this stripped-backed version adds to the tone of the track. "I don't know… it really just came out, honestly," Jagwar Twin told Sweety High in an interview. "I didn't think much about it. I always have loved Willy Wonka. I love the Gene Wilder film. I used to watch it with my grandma growing up and I've watched it a lot of times since and have been unpacking all the different codes in it. It's such a deep movie. You could look at that movie, especially the Gene Wilder one, as a pattern in which you could orient your life if you put yourself as Charlie. It's the same movie as The Matrix. It's the same story as Pinocchio."
Also read about: Jagwar Twin on Going to the Circus in the New Music Video for 'Bad Feeling (Oompa Loompa)'
5. LØLØ Tears Down a Heartless Former Lover in 'u & the tin man'
Pop-punk sensation LØLØ never misses, and her new single, "u & the tin man," is equally scathing and delicately gorgeous. With light, emotional vocals and a gentle acoustic sound, the song compares a past lover to the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz because of his complete lack of a heart. "When I moved to L.A., I realized I was definitely not in Kansas anymore," LØLØ said in a press release. "I eventually met someone who hit me like a tornado, and left just as viciously. The Wizard of Oz has always been my favorite movie growing up, so I thought it would be fun to compare my situation to someone who really didn't have a heart, like the Tin Man. Except, at least the Tin Man was trying! This is one of the first songs in a while that I wrote completely by myself, so it feels very special. This is also the first song I ever wrote for my debut album and I'm very excited about it!" That debut album, falling for robots and wishing i was one, will be out June 7, and we're already counting down the days.
6. Emmy Meli Shares New Anthem for Overthinkers, 'Silence'
No one has mastered the soulful R&B-pop anthem quite like singer-songwriter Emmy Meli, and "Silence" is another track destined to be a massive hit. On the surface, it might sound like a romantic retro soul song, but its lyrics tell a story of yearning to overcome anxiety and quiet a busy mind. "'Silence' is a raw, imperfect moment in time that I was able to capture in a lyrical context," Emmy shared in an interview with Sweety High. "My mental health was deteriorating, I was leaning solely on my vices and (thankfully) my ability to put my deepest, sometimes darkest truths into music. I showed up to the studio exhausted, anxious and overworked with nothing left to give. My producers asked me to put how I was feeling into words with no pressure, and thus 'Silence' was born; a track that nearly word for word matches up with my vent session."
Also read about: Emmy Meli Shares the Inspiration Behind Her New Overthinker's Anthem, 'Silence'
7. Laci Kaye Booth Gets Nostalgic About Past Love in 'Sometimes'
American Idol album Laci Kaye Booth has established herself as one of the heavy hitters in country music, and her latest song, "Sometimes," feels like an instant classic. With a refrain of, "I don't think about you sometimes," it's a laidback, nostalgic track of being reminded of your past love at every turn. It's got the vibe of a romantic, timeless night, and we simply can't take it off repeat. "This song baby of mine is 4 years old," Laci Kaye explained in a post on Instagram. "I wrote the first couple of lines under the full moon and then finished the rest with my dear friends @benjaminwest & @therealmellyp over zoom, during lockdown. It feels nostalgic and it feels free. God bless @benjaminwest for bringing it to life."
8. Chappell Roan Puts a Situationship in the Past With 'Good Luck, Babe!'
Queer pop icon Chappell Roan has been truly unstoppable over the last year, and as she prepares for performances at this year's Coachella Festival, she just dropped her vivacious new single, "Good Luck, Babe!" The track feels plucked directly out of the '80s in the best way possible, backed by a playful synch sound as Chappell's soaring vocals tell a story of leaving a romance in the past in order to move forward and find true happiness within herself. "I needed to write a song about a common situationship within queer relationships—where someone is struggling with coming to terms with themselves," Chapppell revealed in a press release. "It's a song about wishing well to someone who is avoidant of their true feelings."
9. ANGEL22 Breaks All the Rules With New Single 'Bad Manners'
Four-piece girl group ANGEL22 are ready to turn a new leaf, and we love the way they play with Brazilian funk sounds on the new single, "Bad Manners." Featuring bold, confident and unapologetic lyrics, and co-written by members Laura Buitrago, Alondra Martinez, Sofia Oliveira and Wendii Sarmiento, it's a song about breaking down boundaries and being authentic. "The inspiration behind 'Bad Manners' is to get out of the molds that society imposes on you as women and also have more fun with life," the group explained in a press release. "It's how we want to be from now on, we don't want to do things perfectly and always follow the rules. We feel that ['Bad Manners'] marks the beginning of a new era for ANGEL22 where we will not follow the rules of a girl group. Now we are finding what we want to do and how we want to project ourselves to the world."
10. Conan Gray Nurses a Broken Heart on Third Album, FOUND HEAVEN
Platinum-selling pop superstar Conan Gray's music only seems to get better and better with each release, and we've truly never loved it more than with his third album, FOUND HEAVEN. Over 13 tracks, this epic album tells a tale of love and heartbreak, powered by funky '80s synths, nostalgic drum machines and dark guitar sounds. Of them all, the glam-rock channeling "Alley Rose" has to be our favorite.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of March 29, 2024.