It's the last week of April, and we are getting so close to summer, it's not even funny.
However, you don't have to wait until your friends' photos of the hottest summer concerts dominate your Instagram feed or the battle for song of the summer begins for it to feel like the hottest season of the year is upon us. There are plenty of new releases coming at you this week that are sure to heat up your music collection, stat.
No matter what flavor of music you're into, you should be able to find something to quench your thirst. This week, we've got some long-awaited albums from beloved and influential artists, some oldies but goodies and a couple of debut albums from musicians whose names you won't soon forget, all being officially released in the United States April 28.
So what are you waiting for? There's a whole new world of music just waiting for you to scope out, discover and download. The time is nigh. Have at ye!
But I'm not just going to drop you into the wilds of the music world to fend for yourself. I'll make it easy for you. Here are six new music releases you definitely want to put on your radar this week, along with how to find them on Spotify, iTunes and Amazon.
Ahhhh, music to your ears, am I right?
1. Blur, The Magic Whip
The most notable new release this week is The Magic Whip, the first album in 12 years from beloved British rock band Blur. Though Blur has been out of the music game for a while, has gotten solid reviews as if no time has passed at all.
Listen On: Spotify | iTunes | Amazon
2. Raekwon, Fly International Luxurious Art
We've been waiting since 2013 for Raekwon to drop his sixth studio album Fly International Luxurious Art, and now the time has finally come. Though reviews suggest that the delay wasn't completely worth the wait, Raekwon's flow is still as fresh as ever, even if he's been in the game for more than two decades.
3. Josh Groban, Stages
Everyone's favorite chanteur recently went viral with his duet of The Phantom of the Opera's "All I Ask of You" that he sang with Kelly Clarkson. However, there's so much more to Groban's collection of Broadway covers than we've heard. With Groban also belting out A Chorus Line's "What I Did for Love," Les Miserables' "Bring Him Home" and The Wizard of Oz's "Over the Rainbow" on Stages, you'll most definitely feel compelled to give a standing ovation.
Listen On: Spotify | iTunes | Amazon
4. Mew, +-
If indie rock is more of your thing, Mew is just what the doctor ordered. The Danish quartet's latest album includes 10 new tracks of dreamy, psychadelic, experimental delight.
5. Olivia Chaney, The Longest River
Olivia Chaney has been quietly making a name for herself in the British folk scene for years, and now she's finally releasing her debut LP The Longest River on Tuesday. Though Chaney's angelic voice and traditional tunes sound like something out of the time Outlander takes place, you should still be able to enjoy this album today and for many years to come.
Listen On: Spotify | iTunes | Amazon
6. Paul de Jong, IF
Paul de Jong, formerly of the duo The Books, is stepping out on his own on his first solo album IF. With tracks full of strings, synth and sampling, you never quite know what you're going to get on IF, but whatever it is, it will probably leave you wanting more.
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