Our best albums of February

OUR BEST ALBUMS

OF FEBRUARY

Every week of the year, a bunch of records are thrown into the world, portraying the singular influences, universes and sounds of artists. Do you get lost in the numerous releases? On The Move Mag is here to help. This month, as always, we opened our ears and dove into what matters most : music! Whatever genre suits you, you’ll find something new to discover... Here are our favourite albums released in February.

Lil Pump – HaRverd Dropout

After a successful first record released in 2017 which was certified Gold and included his big hit «Gucci Gang», the controversial American rapper Lil Pump delivered his second piece of work ironically called «Harverd Dropout». The album is what you would expect from the young rapper: drugs, money, women and hating school are the main themes here. The beats are catchy, the guests are prestigious (as in the entertaining and viral «I Love It» or in «Too Much Ice» featuring Quavo) and the songs follow one after another so neatly that you would think it’s the continuity of each previous track, forming one whole piece. But something’s unfortunately missing and that’s probably through songwriting. At only 19 years old, Lil Pump is surfing on the wave of success with «Harverd Dropout» and succeeded in a short amount of time in standing alongside big names in the rap scene.

Top 3 tracks: I Love It, Racks on Racks, Be Like Me

Sticky Fingers – Yours To Keep

They’re from the other side of the world so you might have not heard about them yet, but don’t worry OTM is here to catch you up with the Australian band. Sticky Fingers is a reggae/ indie-rock quintet, with soul and psychedelic rock influences. The band has just released their fourth studio album called «Yours To Keep» after a 2-year hiatus. Opening with the dreamy «Sleep Alone», Sticky Fingers plays with genres throughout the record, sometimes with groovy beats or rap-like verses as well as pop-infused melodies and hypnotizing guitar riffs. Although the reggae vibe is not as present as in previous albums, «Yours To Keep» projects us in a sunbathed environment right from the beginning and enables us to completely zone out of reality and just dance in our minds. This album is reflective, well-though-out and completely worth listening to, so give it a listen!

Top 3 tracks: Another Episode, Yours To Keep, Junk

Ariana Grande - thank u, next

We wanted it and we got it! After the success of the singles «thank u, next» and «7 Rings», Ariana Grande just released her fifth studio album. The opus, named «thank u, next», was quite a surprise since «Sweetener» ‒ the singer’s fourth album ‒ is only six months old. In fact, «thank, u next» is very special to Ariana. She created it during dark times, co-wrote every song and did not include any features. As she said while receiving the Woman Of The Year Award at Billboard’s Women in Music, 2018 has been one of the best years in her career but also the worst of her life. This new album has been quite therapeutic for Ariana. In an Instagram story, she even declared: «A lot of this album mourns failed yet important, beautiful relationships in my life, as well as celebrates growth/exploring new independence». From the moving «ghostin» to upbeat songs and reggae sounds in «bloodline» or «fake smile», «thank u, next» is a fierce album, marks the beginning of a whole new chapter for the young woman and even got her a GRAMMY award!

Top 3 tracks: break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored, bloodline, ghostin

Avril Lavigne – Head Above Water

What a successful comeback for the Canadian star of pop-rock music! We all grew up listening to her rebel hits such as «Complicated», «Girlfriend» or «What The Hell» and discovered her eponymous fifth album in 2013. Avril Lavigne then took a break for 5 years, during which she learnt that she was suffering from Lyme disease. She announced her return with an emotional letter and released her sixth album last month. This opus thus sounds very honest and vulnerable: personal lyrics, great and pure vocals as well as diverse and well-made productions. You’ll hear brass in «Tell Me It’s Over», her second single, whereas piano and violins characterize «I Fell In Love With The Devil». Powerful ballads about toxic relationships and her fight against the disease («Birdie», «Warrior») mingle with more energic tracks such as «Bigger Wow» or «Dumb Blonde» featuring Nicki Minaj. There is no doubt that «Head Above Water» is the comeback album of the year!

Top 3 tracks: Tell Me It’s Over, Bigger Wow, It Was In Me

Kehlani - While We Wait

The wait is almost over and the follow-up to SweetSexy Savage is soon to be ready! The R&B songstress released her new EP «While We Wait» that is the amuse-bouche that we were expecting and hoping for. Comprised of 9 songs, this new hybrid project sets Kehlani’s name in the stone as one of the most talented R&B artists of her generation. Whether it’s on «Footsteps» featuring Musiq Souldchild or the real «Morning Glory» in which she presents herself without any filters «While We Wait» is the first step into Kehlani’s new area. The single «Nights Like This» featuring Ty Dolla $ign is a good radio-friendly track that we didn’t know we needed. We can also find a collaboration with 6BLACK on «PRG». Something is for sure: Kehlani knows how to choose her collaborators! La crème de la crème! This body of work is a clever mix of a soon-to-be mum’s thoughts and the testimony of a wise woman who navigates through life, love and desires.

Top 3 tracks: Nights Like This, Footsteps, Feels

NINA NESBITT - The Sun Will Come Up, the Seasons Will Change

We’ve been waiting for Nina Nesbitt’s second album since 2014! Composed of thirteen beautiful songs, her new record is a project in which the Scottish artist really opens up. After the last few years she spent writing for other singers and releasing EPs and singles, Nina Nesbitt was eager to release a new opus. With this new album, she really wanted to create something genuine, something pure and honest. This is especially what the song «Sacred» is about — the first tune she ever produced on her own in her bedroom. Combining dulcet instrumentals with songs like «Last December» and 90s/2000s vibes in «Love Letter» and «Loyal to Me», Nina’s pop really is irresistible and comforting! Several tunes and even a couple of music videos were released in early 2018 and in 2017 like «Somebody Special» or «The Best You Had» so creating the album has been a long process… But, we can assure you, it was worth the wait!

Top 3 tracks: Is It Really Me You’re Missing, The Moments I’m Missing, Love Letter