January 2024 Roundups: The Best Albums of the Month
Featuring Masta Ace, Sy Smith, and Keyon Harrold, here are the best albums that came out in January of 2024.
The year 2024 is off to an interesting start, especially in the music world. As January unfolds, we’re seeing a fantastic lineup of new albums hitting the shelves. This month is not only marked by the return of much-adored musicians but also features promising new talents eager to make their mark. In short, it’s the perfect time to stay alert and tune in for some fresh and riveting tunes.
Masta Ace & Marco Polo: Richmond Hill
Masta Ace and Marco Polo have released their second collaborative album, titled Richmond Hill. The album follows their previous collaboration, A Breukelen Story, back in 2018 and continues their exploration of New York hip-hop. The album features boom-bap beats (provided by Marco Polo) and insightful lyrics, as you would’ve expected, with Ace drawing from his decades of experience in the rap game. The tracks touch on various topics, including certification in the rap industry, financial issues, and personal growth. The album showcases Marco Polo's childhood experiences in New York, adding a conceptual layer to the project. Richmond Hill delivers a strong, soulful album that lives up to the high bar set by its predecessor.
Sy Smith: Until We Meet Again
Sy Smith’s latest release, Until We Meet Again, is a cohesive and compelling experience. The album explores themes of missed connections and bonds breaking and building by featuring a wide range of tempos and styles, from smooth soul to high-minded disco. The LP draws influence from classic R&B, Brazilian rhythms, and hip-hop, showcasing Smith’s musical, vocal, lyrical, and emotional aptitude.
Arrested Development: Bullets in the Chamber
Arrested Development continues to blaze a trail in the music industry, showcasing their enduring skill and flair with their recent albums, Don’t Fight Your Demons and For the FKN Love. Their latest album, Bullets in the Chamber, attests to their longevity, offering over an hour of uplifting messages and introspective musings. This album is a clear demonstration of their ongoing relevance in the music world, even after decades of creating influential sounds. Since their groundbreaking debut in 1992, Arrested Development has been consistently raising the bar. The group’s founder, Speech, along with his talented team, continues to deliver hit after hit, proving their timeless appeal.
This 2024 offering stands out as a musical feast, rich in both content and duration. The talent featured on this album is exceptional, with hip-hop pioneers like Chuck D, along with veterans including Canibus, Sa-Roc, Ras Kass, Skyzoo, and Grandmaster Caz, contributing their skills. This mix of artists underlines Arrested Development’s ability to merge traditional hip-hop elements with innovative sounds and perspectives. British producer Configa is at the forefront of the music production for Bullets in the Chamber, crafting beats that perfectly complement Arrested Development’s powerful words and performances, further cementing their place in the music industry.
Kali Uchis: ORQUÍDEAS
In 2023, Kali released Red Moon In Venus, an album in which Kali explored the theme of love in sophisticated R&B songs. The Colombian-American, in the same year this project was launched, had informed that she was preparing a record mainly in Spanish, which would be the later announced ORQUÍDEAS. From the singles that were released that would be part of the work, it seemed to be an artistic work in which she would delve deeper into her Latin descent by presenting, throughout the album, a diversity of rhythms from Latin America. ORQUÍDEAS presents songs closer to what is done in the English-language pop and R&B scene, also mixing this with moments of explorations of a plurality of Latin genres and also, at times, inspirations from African music. It’s a project that, although far from being the most essential of Kali Uchis’ career, is filled with extremely catchy songs.
Nicholas Craven & Boldy James: Penalty of Leadership
With Penalty of Leadership, this LP unleashes a new chapter in the collaboration between Boldy James and Nicholas Craven. It’s a blend of introspection and expression, where Boldy’s candid narratives meet Craven's notable production skills. In the track “Brand New Chanel Kicks,” Boldy James, hailing from Detroit, collaborates with Nicholas Craven to create a piece that's raw and honest. This song, in particular, reveals Boldy James’ personal reflections, especially about a car accident he had earlier the previous year, offering a glimpse into his state of mind. This partnership between James and Craven consistently brings forth a sound that is both introspective and expressive, marking a distinctive presence in their musical careers.
Keyon Harrold: Foreverland
Keyon Harrold returns with a new musical adventure in his latest album, building upon the diverse fusion he established with his 2017 release, The Mugician. This new album, Foreverland, diverges from its predecessor by focusing more on balladry and exploring the intricate dynamics of romantic relationships. The collaborators Harrold brings on board for this album play a significant role in shaping its sound, blending in effortlessly to create a cohesive musical experience. A notable aspect of Harrold’s work is his exceptional trumpet playing. In Foreverland, Harrold’s mastery of the trumpet shines brightly, continuing his streak of producing high-quality albums that highlight his remarkable talent.
Benny the Butcher: Everybody Can’t Go
Benny the Butcher’s decision to sign with Def Jam for his major label debut is a strategic business maneuver. This move signifies his desire to harness their extensive resources, leverage their platform, and, let’s not mince words, cash their hefty checks. It’s a turning point in his career, aligning his talents with a label that historically excelled in producing the very essence of hip-hop: complex lyrics laid over raw beats and soul-infused samples, far removed from the trappings of mainstream thirst.
If there were any doubts about Benny softening his approach with Everybody Can’t Go, those can be swiftly laid to rest. This album doesn’t dilute his sharp, cutting style. Instead, it builds on his established formula, adding new dimensions and offering a deeper dive into the man behind the music. He remains true to his roots, with the vast majority of the album showcasing his signature bravado and keen observational skills. This isn’t about changing his style for wider appeal; it’s about enhancing and deepening it, maintaining his unique edge in the industry.
JONAS: Be the Light
Celebrating over a quarter-century in the music industry, JONAS unveils Be the Light, a thrilling R&B winner. This release sees him joining forces with a variety of artists, bringing together a fusion of different talents and musical styles. The album is a collaborative effort featuring both songwriting and performances from several of JONAS’s esteemed musical colleagues. Yet, it’s JONAS’s distinct flair that shines throughout the album. He takes on a significant role, contributing predominantly to the songwriting. Additionally, he showcases his versatility by playing various instruments and taking charge of programming, production, and mixing. This combination of collaborative synergy and individual artistic skill results in a listening experience that is both unique and engaging.
Brittney Spencer: My Stupid Life
Imagine a blank canvas suddenly coming to life with vibrant neon colors; that’s the effect Brittney Spencer has when she begins to sing. Her first full album, My Stupid Life, follows her early work with singles and a couple of EPs. This release firmly establishes her as a unique voice in country music, notably diverging from traditional styles. This deviation likely stems from her gospel background and her bold approach to both sound and lyrics. In My Stupid Life, Spencer takes the well-trodden theme of love and gives it a fresh, assertive twist. Her church roots are especially evident in this reinterpretation, infusing the album with a distinct sense of authenticity and depth. While it’s tempting to delve into the numerous sensory delights of My Stupid Life and how Spencer elevates the musical experience, spending too much time discussing it would only take away from the joy of actually listening to it.
Hus KingPin & 9th Wonder: The SuperGoat
This project is the brainchild of Hus KingPin, a skilled rapper from Brooklyn, and 9th Wonder, an inventive producer from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This release marks not only Hus KingPin’s impressive tenth album in less than twelve months but also their debut full-length collaboration. The chemistry between the two artists is palpable throughout the album, as Hus KingPin’s smooth flow melds seamlessly with a mix of classic boom-bap and sophisticated jazzy beats.