Albums Released During the Pandemic We Can't Stop Listening to
Albums Released During the Pandemic We Can't Stop Listening to
For some artists, the global pandemic didn’t stop them from releasing a new album planned months in advance. For others, it prompted delayed releases, lower album sales without physical copies, and even some surprise drops. The common reasoning behind delays was to be sensitive to the current climate, but other musicians felt their music needed to be released to help the world dance again.
Whatever the reason may be, we could always use new music from our idols to get through quarantine. These uncertain times have given artists a chance to reset, not focus on deadlines and grueling touring schedules. The result is some of their best work yet. From rap to alternative to pop, we’ve rounded up our favorite albums released during the pandemic so far.
1) ‘Chromatica’ by Lady Gaga
Shedding her A Star Is Born persona, Lady Gaga is officially off the deep end and on another planet with her new album Chromatica. From her debut album The Fame to Joanne, named she’s been an experiential artist that never makes the same album twice (and that’s what we love about her).
You don’t need to venture far into this album to forget about her stripped back character Ally Maine singing "Shallow" -- which won her an Oscar for Best Original Song in 2019. Chromatica is a more cohesive and electronic tinged cousin to Artpop. On this album Gaga channels all of her sadness and pain into a record that’s filled with club bangers.
2) ‘Folklore’ by Taylor Swift
Before the pandemic, we all were waiting for the music video to Cruel Summer from Taylor Swift’s 2019 album Lover ahead of her Loverfest tour -- but none of that happened because of the pandemic. Swift got busy during quarantine and dropped an album announcement 12 hours before it’s midnight release...writing on her Instagram, “My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world. That’s the side of uncertainty I can get on board with.”
Folklore, her first album categorized under alternative, is the album that all of her devoted Swifties have been waiting for. A lyrical masterpiece, it’s a no skip record. It’s unlike anything she’s ever released and both critics and fans alike agree that the risky move paid off.
3) ‘The New Abnormal’ by the Strokes
Before the term became too common during the pandemic, The New Abnormal was announced in February. In their sixth studio album, 19 years after their debut album Is This It, the Strokes don't let fans forget why they fell in love with them in the first place. Through the grunge and punk, the Strokes get deep with lyrics, “I want new friends but they don’t want me,’ in Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus. After a misfire in their previous album Comedown Machine, this album is a triumph.
4) ‘Translation’ by the Black Eyed Peas
While it’s still unclear why Fergie left the Black Eyed Peas in 2017, her presence in the group is impossible to replace. From early albums Elephunk and The E.N.D, the bandmates redefined pop, navigating between hip hop and electronic, making wildly successful records. The group held the number one spot in 2009 on the Billboard Top 100 for Boom Boom Pow and I Gotta Feeling for 26 consecutive weeks.
The Black Eyed Peas’ new album Translation is the first mainstream album the group has released since the frontwoman’s departure. While their return to pop is a decade after their last album release in 2010, their beats and melodies are easily recognizable. They’ve taken a new multilingual direction, teaming up with Latin artists J Balvin, Shakira and Ozuna.
5) ‘Women in Music Pt. III’ by Haim
On Haim’s third album Women in Music Pt. III, the sister bandmates bring songs with tension, texture and personality that fans have been longing for -- making it their best album yet. While their single I Know Alone was written before the pandemic, it’s almost as if they predicted the months of quarantine and self isolation. Taking a note from their friend Taylor Swift, the gems on this album (Los Angeles) succeed through relatable and intimate lyrics.
6) ‘After Hours’ by The Weeknd
With blood dripping from The Weeknd’s face on the album cover, he says, “You can find love, fear, friends, enemies, violence, dancing, sex, demons, angels, loneliness and togetherness all in the After Hours of the night.”
On After Hours, his fourth studio release, this intimate album takes fans into personal confessions through fragile falsettos. It’s the beats that allow The Weeknd’s vocals to soar. He found a smash with Max Martin produced song "Blinding Lights", which peaked at number one on the Billboard Top 100 and has been on the charts for 36 weeks. The song even became a viral trend on TikTok with over a million videos using the track.
7) ‘Future Nostalgia’ by Dua Lipa
After winning Best New Artist at the Grammys in 2019, Dua Lipa is well on her way to pop stardom, following the footsteps of pop icons Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Britney Spears. She saw an opportunity amidst the chaos of the pandemic as live events were getting cancelled and moved her album release date for Future Nostalgia up a week.
Her breakthrough single on the album "Don’t Start Now", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Top 100 has become the unplanned, perfect social distancing anthem with lyrics “Don’t show up, don’t come out”. She takes a look back with affirming disco synths (Break My Heart) to ‘80s pop (Physical) while barreling ahead defining new sounds completely astray from her previous self-titled album.
8) ‘Ungodly Hour’ by Chloe x Halle
Initially introduced to the world through Youtube, even catching the support of Beyoncé (Chloe x Halle recently opened for JAY-Z and Beyoncé’s joint tour) -- their sophomore album Ungodly Hour is more mature and evolved than their previous work on The Kids Are Alright. Their harmonies are heavenly together, fitting to the wings they wear on the album cover.
9) ‘Gaslighter’ by The Chicks
For those who may not know, the country trio, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks risked alienating themselves from their mostly southern audience by speaking out against George W. Bush and the invasion of Iraq 17 years ago. After losing most of their fanbase, they released Taking the Long Way in 2006, an album filled with forward political statements that won them a handful of Grammys including Album of the Year, but little notice from Nashville.
Gaslighter is the group’s first album in 14 years and it seems like the times have caught up with their activism. Not many groups can take a decade plus hiatus from the industry and release an album as impressive as their early records.
10) ‘Recover’ by The Naked and Famous
This duo met as teenagers in New Zealand and became lovers before they started their band The Naked and Famous. After an international hit, Young Blood, and two albums later, the duo broke up romantically but remained bandmates. Recover isn’t just another breakup album, it’s about growing and healing. The duo went six months without speaking but ultimately the music won, with songs (Sunseeker) that are the perfect beach mood.
11) ‘The Album’ by Teyana Taylor
The Album, Teyana Taylor’s third album, was completed in quarantine, where she regained control of her fierce persona. She’s gained new momentum from being a mother depicted in the first part of five on the album, followed by mini-chapters that explore desire, strength, drama and joy. At 23 tracks, from slow (Lowkey) to mid-tempo, Taylor does R&B at its best.
Yes, Taylor Swift wrote an entire album in quarantine.