The Lockdown Playlist
It was only a matter of time before artists began documenting this extraordinary time in history, creating new music to express the highs and lows of life in lockdown.
While artists such as Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys have decided to postpone their album release dates, others have pushed dates forward, creating and releasing new albums in the space of a month.
Here’s a round up of the best DIY music videos, socially distant dance routines and self-isolation inspired EPs to come out of lockdown.
MAHALIA
Following the release of her debut studio album ‘LOVE AND COMPROMISE’ last year, the R&B singer/songwriter from Leicester returns with ‘The Isolation Tapes’, an EP featuring tracks that were either leftover from her first album, or had been half written since.
“Since being at home, I’ve spent a lot of time writing new music and listening to old music,” Mahalia shared. “I found songs that I’d forgotten about, listened to them and fell in love with them all over again. In these uncertain times, when we have so little control over what is going to happen next, I think we have to focus on what we can control. Music is where I feel that most. And I’m so proud to be putting this EP out!”
HAIM
Last month, Haim announced that their third album, ‘Women in Music Pt. III’, will be delayed until 21 August, due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, last week, the band revealed plans to push forward for 26 June, announcing the news with release of their socially distant themed music video for the single ‘I Know Alone’. In the pared back video, the sisters dance in synchronisation, each maintaining a two-metre distance.
LITTLE SIMZ
On 6 May, Little Simz will release her new EP, ‘Drop 6’, featuring five new songs all written and recorded during lockdown - ‘might bang, might not’, ‘one life, might live’, ‘damn right’, ‘you should call mum’ and ‘where’s my lighter’.
In a statement posted on social media, Little Simz shared,
“I don’t mind being alone. I quite enjoy my own company actually. However, choosing to be alone is different from being forced to be alone and that’s where the difficulty comes in. You’re stuck with yourself, 24 hours of the day, 7 days of the week. There are only so many naps I can take in a day. So, this is what happens when the world stops."
