Monthly Music: April 2025
Cover photo by Anton H from Pexels.
Lari Li & Kendall Zambon
Hi Chargers! Welcome back to Music of the Month, a series where we’ll be recommending albums released in the past month, songs, and releasing playlists on our Spotify.
April’s Occasion: April Showers
Shout out to everyone who submitted songs!
May’s Occasion: Spring into Summer
Submit your favorite songs for the summertime!
Tune into Charger Music of the Month’s Spotify for the final playlist.
STUDENT BODY / STAFF FEATURE
Interested in creating a playlist of your favorite songs for all of Hamilton? Fill out the interest form here and you might just be chosen to be published in next month’s article!
ALBUMS
ALBUM #1: Malcolm Todd by Malcom Todd
21-year-old Los Angeles native Malcolm “Todd” Hobert has been breaking out in the music industry lately. He’s known for his lovesick sound mixed with bedroom pop. He articulates words beautifully and has a very unique voice, allowing him to leave an imprint on the music industry. Malcolm Todd is his second album and still has his authentic sound. We loved the peppy and how upbeat the album was. Omar Apollo’s collaboration with Malcolm in “Bleed” is projected to be a crowd favorite, with cool instrumentals and emotional lyricism.
ALBUM #2: SABLE, fABLE by Bon Iver
Derived from Bon Iver’s EP, Sable, this album is a two-part story. Sable, the first part, tells of his internal strifes; of how he is afraid of changing, how he wishes he could create good, and so much more. His raw voice makes up the majority of these songs, with barely any background instrumentation. The album then moves to Fable, the first track being “Everything Is Peaceful Love”, where Bon Iver tells himself and his listeners that he is not singing sad songs anymore. He seems to finally let light and love seep into his life, and settles for a more hopeful tone this part of the album. All in all, this album is definitely different from Bon Iver’s previous works, but incredible nonetheless.
ALBUM #3: Send A Prayer My Way by Julien Baker and Torres
Oh joyous day! Another member of boygenius has released another album! Julien Baker and Torres, a first-time duo, came together to create this beautiful album. Stepping outside of both Julien and Torres’ typical indie-rock sounds, this album has hints of country and folk. But don’t let that steer you from listening, this album is incredible, regardless if you're a regular country/folk listener or not. It maintains upbeat elements and their voices complement each other very nicely. If you’re looking for a mood boost this month, Send A Prayer My Way is for you.
K&L’S TOP TRACKS OF APRIL
Kendall -
“North” by Clairo
I could genuinely talk about this song for hours. My favorite part of this song, falls after the second repeat of the chorus. The background sounds die down, and it almost feels like Clairo is talking directly to the listeners. Her lyrics are simplistic, yet so raw and revealing of her feelings. I don’t think I could ever get sick of this song, no matter how many times I replay it. Each time I listen, I discover another hidden message, another relatable lyric, another witty phrase. Clairo cannot be beat!
“Pyramids” by Frank Ocean
This song needs no explanation (but I’ll give one anyways). Spanning over nine minutes, this masterpiece of a song keeps you hooked the entire time. From Frank’s engaging lyrics to the mid-song instrumental, which I genuinely believe could revive me from the dead, nothing can top this song.
“Sweet Lad” by Faye Webster
Many people are not aware that Faye Webster’s first album is predominantly folk, as opposed to her usual sound. This song, which comes from that album, is so beautiful. Faye looks back on her past relationship, and confesses how she wishes “for him only” The sweet sounds of the guitar gives the song a nostalgic feel, and the instrumentals feel like a warm embrace.
The deeper I dig into Faye’s discography, the more I realize that her best songs are in the depths of her musical repertoire. I suggest that everyone gives her a further listen, and like me, you might be surprised at what you find!
Lari -
“Venice B***h” by Lana Del Rey
9 minutes of pure perfection. This song has also become a new favorite unit of measurement. Don’t want to run a 5K? It’s just three “Venice B***h”s. You’ll do great. Like Kendall’s song of the month, “Pyramids” by Frank Ocean, the mid-song instrumental of “Venice B***h” is to die for.
“love, or the lack thereof” by Isaac Dunbar
I’ve been feeling nostalgic lately, relistening to songs I found back in 2021. I really took this song for granted back then since I don’t remember it sounding so good. Or maybe I just looped it so much back then that I got sick of it. Anyways, Isaac’s voice is so beautiful and I just love everything about this song.
“Buzz” by NIKI
NIKI captures and explains a rather unexplainable feeling that she deems “Buzz.” It’s anticipation when the amps turn on, the first flicker of a neon sign, a hand on the handle of a front door, making eyes in the middle of the dance floor, the first line of a bestseller, the millisecond freeze frame after good news, the running start before the big jump, and more.
This is probably the third month that I’ve featured a NIKI song but I just love her music so much. “Buzz” is the title track of her most recent album released in August 2024. Thematically, it’s very similar to “Bags” by Clairo. NIKI is nervous but anticipating something new. I love the static noise in the start and the way her voice sounds like it’s in a radio edit. It’s quite different from her usual style of music and I’ve never heard her sound this way, but I’m here for it.
CHECK US OUT ON SPOTIFY!
Chargers Music of the Month Spotify:
Kendall’s Spotify:
Lari’s Spotify:
