There’s no doubt that Friday is the best day of the week, especially when you throw new music in the mix! This week, we bring you new releases from country star Kelsea Bellerini, electronic producer Christian Löffler, and dark folk/black metal artist Myrkur. Liven up your work space or enjoy a relaxing weekend-in with some new tunes.
Kelsea Ballerini, kelsea (Black River Entertainment)
Country music sweetheart Kelsea Ballerini is more authentic and honest than ever on her self-titled album kelsea. The new album shows the singer/songwriters’ roots in country music while adding a pop twist. The album takes a look into the last two years of Ballerini’s life, as she turned to songwriting as therapy. kelsea highlights Ballerini’s exploration of social anxiety, real friendships, and her insecurities. The songwriter also acts as a co-producer on kelsea, and made it a point to add sonic personalities to each track. The album made it on Rolling Stone’s Most Anticipated Albums of 2020 list — and it definitely does not disappoint, as Ballerini has created country-pop magic. After listening to kelsea, we will be on a first name basis with Ballerini, even if she thinks she overshared a little.
Christian Löffler, Lys (Ki Records)
German producer and DJ Christian Löffler has always been a creative person, turning to music and painting to capture his ideas. Now releasing his fourth album and the successor to Graal, Löffler has found solace in his home environment and drew from his surroundings to create Lys. Already having found A Forest and Mare, Löffler has now found the light in nature right in his home of Germany. Lys is a collection of the DJ’s favorite productions from the past three years that he has fleshed out like sketches into paintings. Löffler has also changed his music by adding his own vocals onto the tracks, using words to further express his feelings and emotions. Listen to Lys and bring a bit of natural light into your world.
Myrkur, Folkesange (Relapse Records)
Myrkur, the dark folk/black metal project of Danish musician Amalie Bruun, gracefully transcends traditional genre boundaries by blending folk and metal into a new sound. Myrkur transformed black metal into a personal and progessive genre with her last two albums, M and Mareridt. On the new album Folkesange, Myrkur relinquishes some of the black metal intricacies for a modern version of traditional folk that gets at the heart of her Scandinavian childhood. Folk music is known for its storytelling and nostalgia, both elements Bruun has included on Folkesange through the lyrics and the music. The album is a reminder that the most defining moments are those closest to the heart. Listen to Folkesange, out now.
