Pop, Lock & Bops: Best of April 2018

Welcome to Pop, Lock & Bops, a monthly playlist series documenting our favorite windswept country tunes, heartfelt tearjerkers and down-right intoxicating dirty-pop club bangers.

Sarah Shook calls it like she sees it. “I need this shit like I need another hole in my head,” she spouts with her song “New Ways to Fail,” a gloriously cheeky and unapologetic cut on her new record, Years. It’s a brazen way to open our just-minted Best of April playlist, but if you’re new ’round these parts, you’ll get it soon enough. April might have been bogged down with the lingering presence of winter’s icy breath, but the weather has finally cracked open, letting in the soothing rays of sun to hit our skin. The playlist, spanning pop, rock, R&B and Americana, is an equally warming collection of the best jams, head-bopping, toe-tapping and otherwise.

Country duo Sugarland continue to make their presence known ahead of their comeback album, BIGGER, out later this summer. Their sterling “Mother,” a blend of tradition and modernized pop-country, is a reminder of Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles’ storytelling capabilities, inviting you into an emotional wave of resilience and hope. “You got each other,” the pair nudge, gentle drums skipping along in the background. Nettles has blossomed into one of country’s best singers, stretching her vocal chords between moving whispers and evocative higher registers. There is a searing subtlety to her approach, too, which is severely lacking in mainstream music. Remember: less is always more.

Aisha Badru delights us with another cut from her upcoming album, and Zayde Wølf really does rule the world. Blossoms, Kasey Chambers, James New, Marian Hill, my my my! You also most certainly won’t shed any tears over cuts from Brielle von Hugel, Willie Nelson, Brothers Osborne, Molly Kate Kestner, New Hope Club, Leland Blue, Amy Shark, Ashley Monroe, TOMI, A Summer High, Sofi Tukker, Bebe Rexha, Pentatonix, Kemme and The Milk Carton Kids.

When all is said and done, we’ve got 65 songs rounding out our April showcase.

Writer Chris Will also contributed his personal favorites.

Take a spin:

Follow B-Sides & Badlands on our socials: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram