April showers us with music
Hear are five albums that should be on your radar for April.
“McCartney III Imagined”: Paul McCartney is getting a little help from his friends on this album, which features his vocals as well as a number of A-list artists doing their own renditions of songs from his most recent solo effort, 2020’s “McCartney III.” The guest list includes such talents as Damon Albarn, Beck, Blood Orange, Phoebe Bridgers, Josh Homme, Khraungbin, 3D RDN of Massive Attack, Ed O’Brien (EOB), Anderson .Paak and St. Vincent. The album is due out April 16.
“Greatest Lord”: Sinach, the Nigeran singer-songwriter known for the massive (and often covered) Christian music hit “Way Maker,” delivers her new album on Friday. The title track nicely showcases the powerful vocals from this charttopping, award-winning artist, whose other popular songs include “This Is My Season,” “For This,” “I Stand Amazed,” “Simply Devoted” and “Precious Jesus.” Go to www.sinach. org.
“Fortitude”: It’s about to get really heavy, as Gojira — one of the best metal bands in the world — returns with its seventh studio album on April 30. It’s the French outfit’s first full-length offering since 2016’s “Magma,” which was nominated for best rock album at the Grammy Awards and deserved to win (voters went with Cage the Elephant’s “Tell Me I’m Pretty” instead). Go to www.gojira-music.com.
“They’re Calling Me Home”: Acclaimed Americana artist Rhiannon Giddens, a singer-multiinstrumentalist who melds bluegrass, folk, country and other styles in her music, works once again with Italian jazz musician Francesco Turrisi on a new album due out April 9. Giddens, best known as the singer for Carolina Chocolate Drops, also collaborated with Turrisi on 2019’s “There Is No Other.” Go to www.rhiannongiddens.com.
“Citizen of Heaven (Live)”: Missing live music? Tune into rising pop-soul star Tauren Wells’ new concert offering, which is due in stores on April 16. The recording draws from 2020’s hit studio album “Citizen of Heaven” — which delivered the chart-topping single “Famous For (I Believe)” — as well as other material. Go to www.taurenwells.com.