The year has already given us some exciting new releases: new albums from Pearl Charles, Arlo Parks, The Weather Station, and Julien Baker, to name a few. But at Street we're always looking forward, ready to blast whatever new music comes our way. Here are the five releases we can't wait to listen to in March.
IMMEDIATELY Remixes, Perfume Genius, March 12
IMMEDIATELY—the remix album for Perfume Genius' widely acclaimed 2020 effort, Set My Heart On Fire Immediately—was supposed to come out in mid–February. It didn't, however, currently for unknown reasons. Thankfully, we don't have to wait too much longer: The new release date is in a few short weeks. A handful of tracks from IMMEDIATELY have already been released, with talented producers like Boy Harsher, Initial Talk, and Jim–E Stack all flipping Perfume Genius' sensual songs in their own unique ways.
Still, some of the most exciting collaborations are yet to be heard. AG Cook, the omnipresent leader of the PC Music collective, is set to remix the barn–rocking "Describe"; Danny L Harle, a frequent Cook collaborator (who just released his debut album) will tackle the ephemeral "Just A Touch"; and Jenny Hval will transform the ambient wonder of "Leave." While IMMEDIATELY isn't exactly a totally new album, we're excited to see how this excellent guest list reimagines some of Perfume Genius' most compelling work yet.
Chemtrails Over the Country Club, Lana Del Rey, March 19
Over the past few months, Lana Del Rey has been mired in controversy. Still, all of the drama has been juxtaposed by Norman Fucking Rockwell!, her magnum opus, released in 2019. On Norman Fucking Rockwell!, Lana Del Rey presents a completely contradictory version to her actual self: Where real–life Del Rey is a bumbling fool, spouting half–formed thoughts seemingly every chance she gets, the Lana that sings on Norman Fucking Rockwell! is magically articulate, weaving tales of slapdash romance and American ennui with the authenticity of a Great American Novel. Chemtrails Over the Country Club is a pivotal moment for Lana Del Rey, a once–in–a–lifetime chance to correct a career in danger of veering wildly off course.
OH NO, Xiu Xiu, March 26
It's hard to say what the new Xiu Xiu album will sound like. While 2019's Girl With Basket of Fruit dove headfirst into vile, clashing beats and frantic, frenzied vocals, the first single from OH NO, "A Bottle of Rum," offers unparalleled beauty. Featuring Grouper's Liz Harris, the track is a shining example of pure dream–pop bliss; one of the most accessible, most gorgeous songs Xiu Xiu has ever released (their rendition of Julee Cruise's "Falling," from Twin Peaks, is a close second). OH NO has been aptly described as a "duets album," because every track features a collaboration with a variety of different artists: The opening track even boasts a Sharon Van Etten feature. Regardless of the direction OH NO takes, Xiu Xiu's 12th studio album is sure to be one of the most uniquely stunning works of the year.
Deacon, serpentwithfeet, March 26
serpentwithfeet exists in a realm of introspective sexuality that few musicians have the ability to replicate. His tenor tremors with a raw beauty that's easily mistaken for innocence. Dive a little deeper, though, and hidden behind the shimmering arrangements are odes of sex, love, and queer expression. Deacon, coming off the heels of last year's Apparition EP, finds the University of the Arts alumnus pursuing a markedly more pop–influenced sound than his earlier efforts. One of the singles released ahead of the project, "Fellowship," even boasts production credits from Sampha, a collaborator of Solange, Jessie Ware, Drake, Kanye West, and Alicia Keys, among others. Hopefully, serpentwithfeet's shift toward accessibility introduces more people to his gut–wrenching music.
Haram, Armand Hammer & The Alchemist, March 26
Although Haram was just announced a few days ago, it's already one of our most anticipated releases of the entire year. Armand Hammer—a rap duo composed of billy woods and ELUCID—and The Alchemist have been some of the most consistently phenomenal artists over the past few years. In addition to releasing Shrines with Armand Hammer last year, billy woods has also explored other collaborations. This past Christmas, woods and Philly's Moor Mother released the hard–hitting, radically progressive Brass. The Alchemist had a similarly prolific year, producing the entirety of Boldy James' The Price of Tea in China and Freddie Gibbs' Alfredo. More so than any other release in March, the expectations for Armand Hammer and The Alchemist's upcoming album, Haram, are astronomically high, with some of hip–hop's best artists melding together to create a strange concoction. Still, we have no doubt that the three artists will create something great.
