A Month of Musical Diversity
As Coachella’s 24th edition kicks off in Indio, California, headlined by Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone, music fans have plenty to look forward to — both live and recorded. April brings an exciting range of new album releases, from psychedelic rock to indigenous language revival and introspective folk. Here are the five standout albums worth exploring this month.
Elton John and Brandi Carlile — Who Believes In Angels?
Big Names, Overwhelming Expectations
The first collaboration between the legendary Elton John and Americana powerhouse Brandi Carlile arrives with lofty expectations. Titled Who Believes In Angels?, the album was written and recorded in just 20 days. While both artists are formidable solo forces, their union doesn’t quite reach the emotional or musical heights fans might anticipate.
Midway through the album, on the track ‘You Without Me,’ Carlile delivers a powerful, tender performance — with Elton notably absent. Though his piano and vocals appear elsewhere, the album feels overly polished and processed, sacrificing the emotional rawness both artists are known for. While nostalgic flourishes nod to Elton’s 70s peak and Carlile’s intimate songwriting style, the overall result is slick but uninspired.
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For fans of: Broadway musicals, Disney soundtracks, Elton John’s 70s albums
Marlon Williams — Te Whare Tīwekaweka
A Reclamation in Song and Language
One of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s most revered voices, Marlon Williams, breaks new ground with Te Whare Tīwekaweka, his first album entirely in te reo Māori. Translating to “The Messy House,” the title reflects Williams’s journey of reclaiming the language he learned in preschool but lost as he grew older.
Blending Māori musical traditions with his signature folk and bluegrass sound, Williams crafts one of his most heartfelt releases yet. Highlights include the duet ‘Kāhore He Manu E’ with Lorde and the 1950s pop ballad vibe of ‘Aua Atu Rā.’ Beyond the language’s cultural significance, Williams’s voice and songwriting offer universal appeal.
For fans of: Aldous Harding, Nadia Reid, Boygenius
Babe Rainbow — Slipper imp and shakaerator
Byron Bay Psych-Rockers Stay Groovy
Babe Rainbow’s sixth album is as delightfully strange and anachronistic as its title, Slipper imp and shakaerator. Hailing from Byron Bay, the flower-power psych-rock group thrives in the bizarre, blending sunny guitar riffs, flutes, field recordings, and playful vocal samples.
Tracks like ‘What is ashwagandha’ begin with offbeat samples before melting into blissful harmonies, while ‘Aquarium cowgirl’ and ‘Mt Dub’ dabble in pop, funk, and sci-fi surrealism. Even after a decade, Babe Rainbow’s willingness to be weird keeps their music fresh.
For fans of: Tame Impala, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Khruangbin
Liz Stringer — The Second High
Soul-Searching and Grounded Storytelling
Melbourne singer-songwriter Liz Stringer follows her critically acclaimed 2021 release with The Second High, an introspective, piano-driven album exploring personal growth, self-care, and presence. The record trades the bolder production of her last album for more intimate arrangements that emphasize Stringer’s powerful voice and poignant lyricism.
Crafted in Brixton, the songs balance raw vulnerability with experimental textures — from gospel and trip-hop to jazz. Stringer’s reflections on love, ambition, and identity are deeply relatable. If you’re new to her music, this album is a great place to start.
For fans of: Missy Higgins, The War On Drugs, Brandi Carlile
Perfume Genius — Glory
Baroque Pop Meets Gritty Catharsis
Mike Hadreas, known as Perfume Genius, continues his evolution on Glory, an album that leans harder into rock and guitar-driven arrangements than ever before. Known for baroque-pop brilliance, Hadreas now explores grittier emotional terrain — wrestling with shame, desire, and transformation.
With contributions from long-time partner Alan Wyfells and artist Aldous Harding, the record features moments of crystalline beauty alongside chaotic bursts of sound. ‘No Front Teeth’ contrasts delicate harmonies with walls of guitar, while ‘In a Row’ dives into gothic daydreams. Hadreas remains one of indie music’s most captivating voices.
For fans of: Weyes Blood, Angel Olsen, My Brightest Diamond
A Rich April Soundtrack
Whether you’re revisiting Elton John’s nostalgia, embracing te reo Māori’s resurgence with Marlon Williams, or basking in Babe Rainbow’s psychedelic sun, April offers a wide musical spectrum. These albums offer journeys inward and outward, proving there’s plenty to discover — no festival pass required.
