February was an incredible month for new music—here are some new releases that Vinyl Mag LOVED last month!
SZA, “Saturn“
SZA teased us at the Grammys with this single, as she performed “Saturn” live, leaving us shocked at how mesmerizing she sounded. Then, she released it the next week, and it took us by storm. Some were a bit upset at SZA for tweaking the original Grammy performance recording, to which SZA responded with “No clue what’s wrong with the mixes on Saturn but all will be corrected shortly. Thank you” on X. This single will supposedly be the cover song for SZAs new album Lana, which is expected to release somewhat soon. – Alex Carrillo
Beyonce, “16 Carriages” & “Texas Hold Em“
Beyonce broke the internet during the Superbowl when she partnered with Verizon for a commercial and exclaimed “Drop the music” at the end of it. Immediately after, Beyonce released two singles, “16 Carriages”, and “Texas Hold Em”. These two singles mark the start of the singer’s country music era, and the beginning of act two of her three-part project, with Renaissance being act i. She sent a powerful message by highlighting the contributions of Black musicians to country music, becoming the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in the process. Beyonce’s Act ii COWBOY CARTER is set to release on March 29, 2024. – AC
Charlie XCX, “Von Dutch”
“Von Dutch” is Charli XCX’s first solo single since “Speed Drive” was released last year. She has teased her next album, Brat, dropping in Summer of 2024. “Von Dutch” has the same electric upbeat feel that we are used to hearing from her, keeping the energy flowing until the end of the song. In honor of her upcoming record, Charli XCX performed a boiler room set in Brooklyn, New York called “PARTYGIRL.” – AC
Kacey Musgraves, “Deeper Well”
Teasing her upcoming album Deeper Well, Kacey Musgraves dropped the titletrack in early February. The single and its follow-up, “Too Good to be True”, signal a return to her roots for Musgraves, who embraced a poppier sound on 2021’s star-crossed. In “Deeper Well”, Musgraves weaves her past and present, looking ahead to a brighter future. The soft plucked guitars and the cottagecore visuals are good signs for fans of her previously most-celebrated album, Golden Hour, which snagged an Album of Year Grammy in 2019. Her latest project is set to release on March 15, 2024. – Buket Urgen
Little Simz, Drop 7
UK-based rapper, Little Simz, dropped an EP titled Drop 7, which is a continuation of her drop series that began in 2014. This album blends a mix of Portuguese rap, jazz, and R&B, which ultimately showcases the artist’s talent and versatility. With this blend, the rapper’s lyricism shines, as she addresses her personal struggles, along with societal issues. – AC
The Last Dinner Party, Prelude to Ecstasy
UK-based The Last Dinner Party released their much-awaited debut album to great acclaim on Feburary 2, 2024. The all-female quintet delivered stunning tracks, with scorching lyrics, exploring themes like feminity and the packaging of pain and grief as a commodity. Their appetite for originality in musical arrangments is evident, making for a fun and fascinating listen. They deliver a product that meets the epic hype generated by their earlier live performances and singles. This is a band to watch in coming years. – BU
Brittany Howard, What Now
Brittany Howard absolutely dazzles with her wide-ranging and etheral album What Now. It’s got a little bit of everything for everyone. Howard’s refreshing honesty, dreamy arrangements, and captivating vocals make this a must-listen. – BU
Alex is a third year double major in marketing and music, with a music business certificate at UGA. She is currently one of the Social Media interns here at Vinyl Mag. Alex is also involved in the redcoat band, where she plays clarinet. She is also a lifeguard at the Ramsey Student Center. During her free time, she likes to hang out with friends, and curate Spotify playlists.
Buket is a graduate of the University of Georgia (Music Business Alum) and the current Editor-in-Chief of Vinyl Mag. She believes that a sincere lover of music can find something to like in just about any song. She loves to write to escape the grueling drudgery of capitalism. She is currently based in Georgia, but might soon be coming to a music festival near you.