April is here, Aries season has begun, and spring is springing. Luckily, as the weather warms up and the flowers keep blooming, we have several wonderful records from March to enjoy.
The biggest name to release music this past month may have been Beyoncé, who dropped her sprawling, masterful eighth album, Cowboy Carter, last Friday. Also offering memorable returns are Kacey Musgraves, ScHoolboy Q, Adrienne Lenker, Faye Webster, and more.
Listed in alphabetical order, here are the best albums of March 2024 as selected by Consequence writers and editors.
Adrianne Lenker — Bright Future
The ever-prolific Big Thief songwriter Adrianne Lenker is back with her latest solo venture, Bright Future. Much like her last solo outing, the appropriately-titled songs, Bright Future is stripped-back and softer in feel when compared to her work with Big Thief. Recorded in her bedroom, Lenker leans into the space present on her latest batch of songs, letting the creaks and natural reverb of her homey setting dominate the project’s delicate tone. Take the new version of Big Thief favorite “Vampire Empire,” which boasts compressed-as-hell vocals, sporadic low-fi piano notes, and a free-wheeling violin. It’s intentionally a little rough around the edges, allowing the emotions of Lenker’s performance to shine through. — Jonah Krueger
Listen via Apple Music
Beyoncé – COWBOY CARTER
One of the most exciting albums of 2024 has arrived with Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER, Act II in the Renaissance Trilogy. It’s a thrilling exploration of genre and identity, unpacking and rebuilding country music staples through the distinct lens of one of our greatest pop figures. In this writer’s opinion, COWBOY CARTER is definitely best enjoyed in full and in order, but finding favorites is an inevitable part of that journey; from the raucous, toe-tapping energy of “YA YA” to the genuine emotion of “II HANDS II HEAVEN,” the album is a knockout. — Mary Siroky
Listen via Apple Music