Few places have as diverse a musical landscape as Houston. The city is filled with the sounds of country and bluegrass, lighthearted pop, folk, the bass-heavy sounds of Southern rap and everything in between.
The first quarter of 2022 has welcomed some exciting releases. In March alone, Hayes Carll was enlisted by country crooner Ray Wylie Hubbard for a new ballad entitled “Fancy Boys,” Misha Penton explored heavenly bodies on “Visible Darkness,” and Megan Thee Stallion added to her pop music repertoire with Dua Lipa on their song “Sweetest Pie.”
Elsewhere, oncology nurse-turned-pop star Keshi released GABRIEL, female-forward band RōZY is “Drunk on Love,” and country songstress Danielle Bradberry is rediscovering her identity on In Between, The Collection.
We’ve rounded up some of the best music in Houston this month:
Country
Danielle Bradberry, In Between, The Collection
Danielle Bradberry is ushering in a new era with her 10-track project, In Between, The Collection, released March 4. Made up of songs from the last few years, the album is a mix of her country roots, plus a fusion of R&B, soul and pop. Listen here.
Ray Wylie Hubbard featuring Hayes Carll, “Fancy Boys”
Although he’s an Oklahoma native, Ray Wylie Hubbard is a highly revered artist in the Lone Star State. He teamed up with Hayes Carll to create a traditional country ballad entitled “Fancy Boys,” which also features James McMurtry and Dalton Domino. Released March 18. Listen here.
Maddie & Tae featuring Lori McKenna, “The Other Side”
Maddie Font, half of the duo Maddie & Tae, joined forces with Lori McKenna for a gospel-influenced track, “The Other Side.” The song, shared on March 11, is a reflection of a tumultuous 2020 and shows the peace that they found through being patient. Listen here.
Maren Morris, Humble Quest
Arlington native Maren Morris details her life journey in her new album, Humble Quest. The project, sitting at 11 tracks in length, takes you on an emotional roller coaster with songs like “Circles Around This Town” and “Detour.” Released on March 25, Humble Quest will make you laugh, cry and everything in between. Listen here.
R&B
JOHNNYSWIM featuring Tobe Nwigwe, “Desmond’s Song”
Johnnyswim, a husband-wife duo composed of Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano-Ramirez, tapped Alief’s Tobe Nwigwe for a love ballad, “Desmond’s Song,” released March 16. The song tells the story of rekindling romance. Listen here.
Lilly Avianna “Sunrise”
Songstress Lilly Avianna released a tranquil new single, “Sunrise,” at the end of the month. Listen as she serenades you with her relaxing voice, as she allows the daybreak to bring joy back into her life. Listen here.
Jew-Buh, Goldygang & 3vn “Guess We Done”
Breakups are always tough, and Jew-Buh is putting his emotion into his pen for his new song “Guess We Done.” Published March 25, the song takes you on a journey from the pain of heartbreak to overcoming pain and finding your worth. Listen here.
Robert Glasper, Midnight Mixtape
Multi-instrumentalist Robert Glasper teamed up with Deezer earlier in March to release a 20-song mixtape of late-night sensual vibes worth staying up and listening to. The songs are a mix of some of his recent collaborations, plus a few other indie R&B songs. Listen here.
Punk/Rock
Stereoccult, Melodic Transference
Stereoccult emerged from the pandemic with their its debut effort, Melodic Transference, released March 12. In just eight songs, the album evokes emotions of the anguish felt through our pandemic-stricken reality, but still maintains a hopeful nature for the future. Listen here.
The Wheel Workers, “Harbor”
On March 22, indie rockers The Wheel Workers debuted the title track from their upcoming album, Harbor. Produced alongside Dan Workman, the single utilizes guitars and synthesizers to create a catching, romantic tune. Listen here.
Jono Jono, In A Toxic World
Fans of rock and heavy metal have something new to feast on with Jono Jono’s In a Toxic World EP. The project serves as an introduction to the roots of Jono Jono’s core artistry — distortions of live guitars and Jono utilizing his voice as an instrument. Released mid-February, the project hooks you with Jono’s rhythm and evokes feelings of rage. Listen here.
RōZY, “Drunk On Love”
Get hypnotized thinking about how easily you were hooked on your significant other in RōZY’s Valentine’s Day release, “Drunk on Love.” The female-fronted band reminisces on what it feels like to meet a new lover — the butterflies, the excitement and the heart-thumping fervor. Listen here.
Hip-Hop/Rap
Sean Kiez, “Can’t’ Stop Tippin”
Influenced by the early sounds of Southern rap acts like Three 6 Mafia and Master P, Sean Kiez’s March 11 release, “Can’t Stop Tippin,” is an amalgamation of his love for hip-hop and the 1989 film Harlem Knights. Using bass-heavy trap beats, Kiez’s flow is smooth like butter, reminiscent of the late Pimp C, rapping about keeping it player and stacking his money. Listen here.
Nems, featuring Trae Tha Truth and Paul Wall, “Bing Bong Houston Remix”
Brooklyn rapper Nems called upon Trae Tha Truth and Paul Wall for a Houston remix to his popular track “Bing Bong,” which appears on his mid-March effort, Bing Kong. While it may seem that these rap titans are passing their prime, the song is proof that the wordplay is still elite for our hometown rappers. Listen here.
Trae Tha Truth, Life N Pain
Trae Tha Truth embodies trap soul on his newest effort, Life N Pain. Shared with fans on March 29, the project is complete with nine tracks and features titles like “I Got Me,” “Make Me Over” and a dedication to the late Compton rapper “Nipsey.” Listen here.
Ja’ Torre featuring The SZNS, “Give Me The Light”
Feel a nostalgic euphoria listening to Ja’ Torre’s newest single “Give Me the Light,” released March 29 and featuring fellow Houston native and singer-songwriter The SZNS. The song, while upbeat, will leave you in an enchanting-like trance as he sings melodically about coming out of the darkness. Listen here.
KenTheMan, Hard On a 304
KenTheMan has been on a roll following the release of her cocky-but-fun album, What’s My Name. She followed up the stellar release with Hard On a 304, which conveniently debuted on March 4 (3/04). Just two songs long, Ken puts the pimp persona away for a more seductive approach. Listen here.
Electronic/Techno
Misha Penton, “Visible Darkness”
Singer and composer Misha Penton released a remixed version of her song “Visible Darkness” on March 4, where her ominous sound is a combination of opera, spoken word and chamber electronica. Listen here.
Fat Tony, “Neon Moon”
Fat Tony’s remix of “Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn and Too Short’s “Blow the Whistle” first made its debut in 2019. The popular mashup gained so much acclaim that Diplo played the track at the Stagecoach Festival. Maximizing the song’s new momentum, on March 17, Fat Tony released the full-length track on streaming platforms. Listen here.
Pop/Indie
Dua Lipa featuring Megan Thee Stallion “Sweetest Pie”
After successfully collaborating with BTS and Maroon 5, the H-Town hottie is back again with another pop collaboration, “Sweetest Pie,” with Dua Lipa, released March 11. While she’s known for rapping on trap beats, she steps into a new lane, where Dua takes the lead in this Hansel & Gretel-inspired radio hit. Listen here.
Halston Dare, “Lonely In L.A.”
Halston Dare has doubled between her home in Houston and Los Angeles for work. In February, she created a radio-ready single with her new song “Lonely in L.A.” Being a Southern girl, she details her stark experience being in Los Angeles, from the fake friends and high rent prices. Listen here.
Keshi, GABRIEL
It may seem far out for a former oncology nurse to pursue music, but Keshi is making it happen. Taking a break from his day job in the Texas Medical Center allowed him to pursue his musical dreams — he signed with Island Records in 2019 and has been on the rise ever since. He released GABRIEL on March 25, 12 beautifully crafted tracks where he bares his soul. Listen here.
Gospel
Tauren Wells featuring Aaron Cole, “Fake It” (The Warehouse Mix)
Alongside Aaron Cole, Lakewood Church worship leader Tauren Wells is showcasing his faith in a new song entitled “Fake It.” Wells shared his Warehouse Mix of the original song on March 25. The uptempo melody, somewhat reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” is a spin on traditional gospel music, with a fun, pop influence. Wells sings that God’s love is so real, you can never fake it. Listen here.
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