February has been an absolutely stellar month for music with tracks from Janelle Monáe, Lana, and Caroline Polachek keeping our spirits high through the cold weather. We’ve compiled a playlist of our fave tracks that dropped this month. Be sure to add your mix to start Spring off right.
Caroline Polachek – ‘Pretty Impossible’
The current it girl of alt-pop Caroline Polachek brought us the soundtrack to the latter half of February with her album Desire, I Want to Turn Into You. Fusing electronica with garage and a touch of house, she’s created a downtempo masterpiece that is an early candidate for album of the year. ‘Pretty Impossible’ is the song Caroline said she was most proud of in an interview with Crack magazine. Inspired by the string section on Massive Attack’s ‘Unfinished Sympathy’, it’s a dreamy trip-hop track full of lush violins and scatty beats. And that spoken word section is to die for.
Paramore – ‘Running Out of Time’
Paramore made their much-welcomed comeback after a 5-year hiatus this February with This Is Why. Anxious and introspective, the album deals with a myriad of global issues such as war and the pandemic and explodes with nervous energy providing a cathartic experience for the listener. ‘Running Out of Time’ is one of the best tracks from the album. Singer Hayley Williams wittily jests at her poor time management in this light-hearted melodic track that proves that the post-punk revival isn’t dead. Feel the tension slip away as you dance to those stabbing guitar riffs.
Janelle Monáe – ‘Float’
You’ll ‘Float’ to Janelle Monáe’s triumphant new track that’s “light as a feather”. The single is the first new release from the singer from 2021 and features Fela Kuti’s youngest son, Seun Kuti, as well as his band, Egypt 80. Janelle showcases her rapping skills on dub influenced track featuring a rich brass section and groovy guitar riffs. We’re hoping that this chill uplifting song could be pointing to a new era for the R&B singer and that more new music might follow!
Lizzo & SZA – ‘Special’
The dream team-up of course is in our playlist. This month Lizzo and SZA dropped a remix of ‘Special’ featuring SZA providing stunning backing vocals to the fantastic tune. Motivating, uplifting, and comforting – it’s the ideal song for turning a rainy day to sunny.
PinkPantheress & Ice Spice – ‘Boy’s a Liar pt. 2’
PinkPantheress’ TikTok hit ‘Boy’s a Liar’ got a revamp this month when the singer collabed with our favourite new rapper Ice Spice this month. The suitably titled ‘Boy’s a Liar pt. 2’ brings us everything we loved about the original plus an outrageously catchy verse from the orange-haired baddie. We dare you not to sing along.
Lana Del Rey – ‘A&W’
‘A&W’ is the most exciting piece of work Lana has released in some time. The seven-minute-long song, which was released on Valentine’s Day in the Americana queen’s typical romantic style, is broken into two parts and manages to refer to personas Lana embodied throughout her impressively varied career. It starts with a piano-driven melancholic melody before plunging the listener into an electronic R&B beat with distorted vocals reminiscent of tracks from Ultraviolence. We can’t wait for when Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd hits streaming next month.
Jessie Ware – ‘Pearls’
The ever-classy Jessie Ware gave us a taste of hazy luxury this month with her latest single ‘Pearls’. Bringing us a funky nu-disco moment, ‘Pearls’ is full of the singer’s usual uplifting energy packed with lively keys, great backing vocals, and whispery addressals.If ‘Pearls’ is anything to go by we know we’ll love Jessie’s fifth album That! Feels Good! dropping on the 28th April.
Kelela – ‘Enough for Love’
Warm and full of longing, the R&B track ‘Enough for Love’ is the fifth and final single from Kelela’s album Raven, which dropped earlier this month. Kelela’s second LP is another early contender for album of the year. The angelic-voiced singer expertly shapes a hypnotic nocturnal soundscape that’s desire-filled, mediative, and utterly rich – its sound and energy is unmatched.
Maisie Peters – ‘Body Better’
Maisie Peters voices her anxiety over body issues in ‘Body Better’ which every woman can, unfortunately, relate to. Although the lyrics touch on a sensitive spot for many the track is a refreshing sway-inducing pop tune. Featuring frills, cake, and um… blood, the music video for the track sees pop’s newest sweet-faced princess getting her hands dirty whilst on a picnic with her friends. It’s sugar-sweet with a dark twist and we’re here for it.
Princess Nokia – ‘Closure’
Princess Nokia gets angsty on their newest single ‘Closure’ switching their signature pop rap style for noisy alt-electronica. With boisterous drums and raw riffs, Nokia channels her sadness and anger over a failed relationship into a catchy breakup anthem that will heal the heartbroken.
Yunè Pinku – ‘Night Light’
A twilight set electronic maze of twinkling sounds, Yunè Pinku’s progressive house track ‘Night Light’ sparkles as an endlessly replayable unique dance track. The London-based artist never fails to produce interesting, dreamy tunes that have us dancing the night away in a trance.
Nia Archives – ‘Conveniency’
Jungle heads will love Nia Archives’ liquid D’n’B and neo-soul fusion. As expected from the fun-loving DJ, singer, songwriter, and producer ‘Conveniency’ brings all the good vibes for pre or post-club antics. With scatty beats and gorgeous layered harmonies, it’s a sunny track that will put a smile on your face. The track is a single from Nia’s forthcoming EP Sunrise Bang Ur Head Against Tha Wall set to come out next month – keep an eye out for more playlist-worthy tunes.
Yaya Bey – ‘Exodus the North Star’
Vulnerable neo-soul will always have a place in our hearts and playlists. Brooklynite Yaya Bey’s ‘Exodus the North Star’ fuses neo-soul and reggae to create something special that we can’t stop playing. Yaya’s unique vocals pack a punch starting soft and then crescendoing into a powerful performance as she begs her lover to take her to paradise. It’s an ultra-romantic track that we’re goo-goo for.
Words by: Molly Sutherland
Header Image: artist collage
