Music Shopping List: Gorillaz and Mary J. Blige Returns

The Return of Gorillaz (‘Humanz’) and Mary J. Blige (‘Strength of a Woman’) leads new music releases arriving Friday, April 28, 2017. 

Ah, the final Friday of April 2017.  What does that mean? That means, friends, there’s one final new music release date in April!  Top heavy, there are two key releases arriving this week: Gorillaz (Humanz) and Mary J. Blige (Strength of a Woman).  In addition to Gorillaz and Blige, new efforts arrive courtesy of Lea Michele, Willie Nelson, and Cashmere Cat.

1. Gorillaz

Humanz

Parlophone

Gorillaz returns with its first album in seven years, Humanz.  Humanz follows two albums released in 2010: Plastic Beach and exclusive iPad recorded effort, The Fall.  In its deluxe form, Humanz is comprised of 26 tracks, with five songs arriving prior to its release: “Ascension” featuring Vince Staples, “Saturnz Barz” featuring Popcaan, “Andromeda” featuring D.R.A.M., “Let Me Out” featuring Mavis Staples & Pusha T, and “We Got the Power” featuring Jehnny Beth.  Among many other featured guests are Anthony Hamilton, Danny Brown, and De La Soul.

2. Mary J. Blige

Strength of a Woman

Capitol 

Typically, a new Mary J. Blige album is a big deal.  But with R&B cooling more and more, year by year, even MJB’s return with Strength of a Woman isn’t getting the buzz it deserves.  Nonetheless, Strength of a Woman marks Queen of Hip-hop soul’s first new album since December 2014, when she released The London Sessions.  Ahead of Strength of a Woman, a post-divorce album, Blige released three singles: “Love Yourself” featuring Kanye West, “Thick of It” back in Fall 2016, and “U + Me (Love Lesson).” In addition to Kanye West, other guests on Strength of a Woman are Quavo, DJ Khaled, Missy Elliot, Prince Charlez, and KAYTRANADA.

3. Lea Michele

Places

Columbia 

Actress and pop singer Lea Michele returns with sophomore album, Places.  Places follows up her 2014 debut, Louder.  Comprised of 11 tracks, four songs arrived prior to the album’s release: “Love is Alive,” “Run to You,” “Anything’s Possible,” and “Getaway Car.”

https://youtu.be/x6SpC39lsOk

4. Willie Nelson

God’s Problem Child

Sony

Prolific country legend Willie Nelson returns with God’s Problem Child.  God’s Problem Child arrives less than a year after For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price.  Interestingly, Nelson also released his Grammy winning Traditional Pop Vocal Album, Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin in February 2016.  Comprised of 13 tracks, four songs arrived ahead of the release of God’s Problem Child: “Old Timer,” “A Woman’s Love,” “It Gets Easier,” and “HE Won’t Ever Be Gone.”

5. Cashmere Cat

9

Mad Love / Interscope

Electronic musician Cashmere Cat releases his debut album, 9.  9 ends up being a star-studded affair featuring Ariana Grande, Kehlani, and The Weeknd among others.  Comprised of 10 tracks, four singles arrived prior to the album: “9 (After Coachella)” featuring MØ & Sophie, “Wild Love” featuring The Weeknd & Francis and the Lights, “Trust Nobody” featuring Selena Gomez & Tory Lanez, and “Love Incredible” featuring Camila Cabello.

Other New Releases:

All That Remains, Madness; New Found Glory, Makes Me Sick; Old Crow Medicine Show, 50 Years of Blonde on Blonde (Live); Damien Escobar, Boundless; Dalton Domino, Corners; Sylvan Esso, What Now; Les Amazones d’Afrique, République Amazone

Photo Credits: Parlophone, Capitol, Columbia, Sony, Mad Love, Interscope