Niiasii
A Girl Can Dream (EP), Self Release
Alt-pop singer-songwriter Niiasii’s star began to rise in 2020 with “I Wanna Get Out,” from The Art of Changing Form, with more than 100,000 streams on Spotify. On her new EP, the Suffolk, Virginia, native drops four groovy, hum-worthy tunes, which she describes on Instagram as a “genre-bending alt-pop soundscape dedicated to the dreamers of the world.” The title track shows off Niiasii’s smooth vibrato and impressive vocal range through original lyrics and production. In the music video for “Forbidden Fruit,” the fairy-tale princess vibe of the EP’s cover comes to life in a visualization of forlorn feelings and unattainable love. Niiasii, 21, began releasing music when she was 16 years old, and performs regularly around Hampton Roads with her band, The Poppas. As she embarks on a new tour across Virginia, A Girl Can Dream reflects the reality of her artistic progression. (Release date: 1/24) niiasii.com
Lucy Dacus
Forever Is A Feeling, Geffen Records
Following on the heels of her combined success with 2021’s Home Video and an album and tour with the indie supergroup boygenius, Richmond-based sensation Lucy Dacus has made the jump from Matador to Geffen Records.
At first blush, Forever Is A Feeling, her first solo album in four years, confirms that Dacus’ knack for capturing emotional complexities in a whimsical fashion has matured. The singles “Limerence,” “Ankles,” and “Best Guess” explore the growing pains of moving into adulthood and peering back at a childhood that’s not too far behind. On “Limerence,” Dacus begins with a playful illumination about hiding feelings behind the mask of upbeat hangouts as she shovels popcorn into her mouth while “thinking about breaking [someone’s] heart.”
Fellow boygenius members Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker have guest appearances on the new album, along with Hozier, Madison Cunningham, Blake Mills, Bartees Strange, Jake Finch, Collin Pastore, and Jay Som. It’ll be fun to see who joins in when Dacus hits the road for a national tour in April and May. (Release date: 3/28) lucydac.us
Lowland Hum
Another Side of Lowland Hum, Daniel Levi Goans Music
Lowland Hum has been a mainstay of Charlottesville’s music scene since the release of BrotherStranger in 2011. After touring for nearly a decade, husband-and-wife duo Lauren and Daniel Goans have settled into a regular writing and production routine to fuel their DIY ethos, releasing two albums in 2024. Their ninth album, Another Side of Lowland Hum, is a “forward-looking retrospective” that includes heartfelt duets from the couple, and a few revisited tracks from previous releases. The lovesick ballad “Sandrine?” paints an intimate picture of what it means to fall deeply for another while fearing the entanglements of love. Daniel sings, “O Sandrine / Hold my hand firmly / Don’t ever abandon me.” “I Won’t Hurt You” answers his plea, thoughtfully linking the two songs in conversation. (Release date: 1/30) lowlandhum.com
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