From Wet Leg to Batu, here are the best albums released in April

A steadfastly independent dent seems to have been kicked into the commercial carriage this April, with accidental runaway chart-toppers in Wet Leg and Fontaines D.C. becoming the exceptions that prove the rule of a (mostly) broken industry. But don’t worry about that, the bluebells are out. Here are our ten favourite albums from the month.

Artist: Daniel Rossen
Title: You Belong There
Label: Warp
What is it? The debut solo album from half of New York’s art-rock era-definers Grizzly Bear, resettling to New Mexico with a cello. 
L&Q says: “Without the need to mediate with other band members’ ideas, Rossen’s opulent sound, always original and recognisable, blooms across this album’s ten tracks.”

Read Guia Cortassa’s full review here.

Artist: Tomberlin
Title: I Don’t Know Who Needs To Hear This
Label: Saddle Creek
What is it? A collection of poignant reflections on friends, feelings and letting go to the tune of John Prine as much as Lucy Dacus.
L&Q says: “Tomberlin has come a long way in the four years since we met her, and this is her best yet.”

Read Tristan Gatward’s full review here.

Artist: Fontaines D.C.
Title: Skinty Fia
Label: Partisan
What is it? The darkly ruminative and chart-topping album number three for now Dublin royalty, leaning deeply into its Irish heritage.
L&Q says: “Fontaines D.C. have created an epic that keeps on progressing throughout, pushing way beyond their previous boundaries.”

Read Jasleen Dhindsa’s full review here.

Artist: Pierre Kwenders
Title: José Louis and Paradox of Love
Label: Arts & Crafts
What is it? An afro-electronic soirée from the Congolese-born and Montreal-based polymath, featuring a star-studded guestlist from members of Shabazz Palaces and M.I.A. to Arcade Fire.
L&Q says: “Kwenders’ easy-going authority on the mic serves as the binding for his borderless approach.”

Read Mike Vinti’s full review here.

Artist: Vicky Farewell
Title: Sweet Company
Label: Mac’s Record Label
What is it? A masterclass in luscious, lackadaisical pop that’s looking to dismantle the norms (albeit with the help of Mac DeMarco).
L&Q says: “Farewell’s sleek take on gooey chiffon pop proves that low-slung grooves and sugary pop beats aren’t just reserved for the likes of woe-is-me men.”

Read Charlotte Marston’s full review here.

Artist: Batu
Title: Opal
Label: Timedance
What is it? A debut album ten years in the making – at least, observing – from one of the most influential names in leftfield club music.
L&Q says: “The exploitation of space, the subterranean bassweight and the antagonistic rhythmic patterns that appear periodically are pure dancefloor puppetry.”

Read Oskar Jeff’s full review here.

Artist: Wet Leg
Title: Wet Leg
Label: Domino
What is it? Didn’t think we’d leave this one out, did you? A debut that delivers on all its comedic promise, with a series of two-minute punchlines-come-earworms.
L&Q says: “Their ability to write nagging hooks renders them genuinely exciting.”

Read Susan Darlington’s full review here.