April Music Wrap-Up
- Emma Zoe Polyak
- Apr 30, 2024
- 5 min read
April. Warmer weather, the anticipation of summer, and, if you’re me, allergies. Oh, and lots of new releases! This month’s selection is all over the place in terms of genre, but there’s one thing all these songs have in common – I was captivated at first listen. Be sure to check out my playlist to listen to all these songs and more!
“Closer” by Fabiana Palladino
Released April 5
Starting the month off strong is the first track off Fabiana Palladino’s self-titled debut album. While I loved every track off the album, “Closer” may be my favorite because it sets the tone for the album perfectly. It’s an elegant song that draws inspiration from 80s and 90s R&B, pop, and soul, while adding a modern twist to it. Thematically, the album is an intimate exploration of love and loneliness made by Palladino after the end of a long-term relationship.
“A central theme of the album is aloneness. Whether it’s a song where I’m searching for connection with someone else, or trying to embrace the aloneness, it tends to come back to me, who I am when I’m alone, what I feel when I really look inwards. I’d say it’s a pretty introspective record overall. The songs are often about trying to go deeper into yourself, exploring your true feelings and how they then relate to and affect your relationships with others,” shared Palladino in a release.
Although written and produced by Palladino, the album was created in collaboration with her family and friends; her father and brother play bass and drums on songs respectively. She embarks on tour in May, check out all the dates here!
“My Best Friend” by Friedberg
Released April 12
I’m shocked that Friedberg hasn’t been on my radar till this year. The all-female-four-piece have been releasing music since 2019, with “My Best Friend” being the latest in their catchy, vibrant catalogue. Part post-punk, part pop-rock, part cowbell, the band have a hypnotizing sound, and “My Best Friend” has been stuck in my head since I first heard it!
It was released while the band was touring in the US with Giant Rooks. For post-punk fans, this track was notably co-written and produced with Dan Carey (well known for working with Wet Leg, Foals, and more). “It was the first song I wrote with Dan Carey: It started with a jam at his studio in South London – with just 2 guitars and a cowbell. Well… and a few cowbell hits later the song was there in its whole glory. I had such a good time making this track with Dan. I kind of already felt from the very first second I met him and entered his studio that this was gonna be amazing. The track is about non-commitment, I am experiencing more and more in all aspects of modern society,” shared Anna F, Friedberg’s vocalist, about the song.
If you missed them on their latest support tour, don’t worry. Friedberg will be bringing their fun and eclectic energy (complete with their signature cowbells) to the UK, playing a couple shows over the next few months. See all their dates here.
“Lost in Life” by FIL BO RIVA
Released April 19
The perfect song to welcome warmer weather with, “Lost in Life” has been on repeat since I first heard it. I’ve been listening to FIL BO RIVA for a couple years, and his songs never fail to blow me away. He has a knack for creating tracks that are equal parts introspective and fun, blending indie-rock, pop, folk, and soul to create his own sound. “Lost in Life” is no different; with an upbeat tempo and reflective lyrics, it’s one that lends itself to several interpretations. For me, it makes me want to get up and dance, it’s a reminder to appreciate life… or rather, to get lost in it.
However, FIL BO RIVA had a different connection to the song when writing it. “To me this song has always been about feeling lost in this world and somehow trying to escape it, trying to hide from it. At the same time it’s also about how we as humans sometimes try to distract ourselves by doing things that are probably not the best for us, but that can help in a dark moment. I hope some people can identify with it, perhaps be inspired a little and make this song their own,” he shared in an Instagram post.
The Italian singer/songwriter will be embarking on a European tour in November, check out his dates here.
“Apple” by Willie J Healey
Released April 22
Willie J Healey’s signature groovy laid back ‘70s sound is back on full display in his first release this year – the funky and catchy single “The Apple.” I initially dubbed this release as the perfect song to cure your Monday blues, but truly, it lifts your spirits any day of the week! “I wrote ‘The Apple’ after feeling weird and self-aware,” Healey has said of the track. “I was living in my head until I realized, man, life is short… so be yourself, get your cake and fucking eat it!”
I first heard Healey’s music when he opened for Arctic Monkeys in Europe last summer. His energetic and playful stage presence quickly had me hooked and singing along to his songs within the week. Bunny, his album released last August, was full of soul and funk influences that reminded me of lazy summer afternoons. Healey’s fun charm is audible throughout his songs, and I’m excited to hear more from his next project.
Healey will be on the road this year – he starts his headline tour in May, traveling through the UK and parts of the EU. After some festival dates, he will be supporting IDLES on their UK tour. Check out a full list of his dates here!
“Too Late” by The Inside Out
Released April 24
Rounding out this month’s list is “Too Late” by The Inside Out, a poignant song about learning to let go, move on, and live life to the fullest. It’s another perfect song to send us into warmer weather, with thoughtful lyrics reflecting on the past before giving way to hopefulness for the future.
“‘Too Late’ was written from a place of feeling anxious. Wishing things would go back to a certain way they were before, but realizing that the way things were before wasn’t that much better to begin with. We can’t time travel yet, so you’ll never know what could have been because of the path you were already on. I guess I’ve learned in my recent years it’s so important to pursue as many opportunities and chances as possible. You’ll more than likely regret the things you didn’t do than had done,” shared James Howard, the band’s vocalist in a press release.
Formed in 2018, the Connecticut-based alt/indie-rock band is made up of Zach Stout, John Landino, and Andi Wright, in addition to Howard. If you’re around Wallingford, Connecticut, they will be playing a set at the Cherry Street Station on May 5. Check out their upcoming dates here!
You can listen to all these songs, and some other releases that I loved but didn’t make it into the list below.
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