Wednesday Roundups #15: 8 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time

Stream releases from Nico Segal, Deante’ Hitchcock, Heem, Radamiz & Thelonious Martin, Chuck Strangers, Futuristiks: Mike & Keys & Casey Veggies, JASONMARTIN and Madison McFerrin.

Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!

The fifteenth outing of Wednesday Roundups returns.

It might be challenging to prioritize your music listening when so much new music is available. Shatter the Standards provide a weekly summary of newsworthy releases on streaming platforms. Nico Segal, Deante’ Hitchcock, Heem, Radamiz & Thelonious Martin, Chuck Strangers, Futuristiks: Mike & Keys & Casey Veggies, JASONMARTIN, and Madison McFerrin were among the artists with new albums or projects last week. Watch for weekly music drops every Wednesday for suggestions of lesser-known albums.

Here are your roundups for today!

Nico Segal — Tell the Ghost Welcome Home (Alternative) [Listen]

After several intermittent releases, Nico Segal from The Social Experiment returns with his inaugural solo album, Tell the Ghost Welcome Home. The album now boasts features from renowned artists such as Nnamdi, Jamila Woods, aja monet, and Shawnee Dez, among others.

Deante’ Hitchcock — Once Upon a Time (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

Deante’ Hitchcock narrates his journey in his much-anticipated second album, Once Upon a Time. This record follows his debut album Better, released in 2020, and its deluxe version that was promptly released after. Since then, Deante' has put out a string of freestyles, from “Let the Beat Build” to “Wait Until Summer,” among others, before launching his Everyday the 14th EP last year.

Heem — From the Cradle to the Grave (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

Heem, having made several cameos on the label's display EP, introduced his first mixtape Long Story Short in the same winter season. He followed it up with the debut EP High Art the following spring. He is next in line in the B$F camp to deliver a comprehensive debut, From the Cradle to the Grave.

Radamiz & Thelonious Martin — 2409 West Slauson - EP (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

Radamiz collaborates with producer Thelonious Martin on the latest EP 2409 West Slauson. Available now through Big Enough Home, the short project features contributions from Chuck Inglish, Dre Dollasz, and more.

Chuck Strangers — The Boys & Girls - EP (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

Chuck Strangers rekindles his passion for penning down words and rejuvenates with his latest The Boys & Girls EP. Available now through Lex Records, the album features guest appearances from Navy Blue, Fly Anakin, Pink Siifu, Obii Say, and others.

Futuristiks: Mike & Keys & Casey Veggies — Ten Toes Down - EP (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

The Los Angeles-based production and songwriting duo, the Futuristiks: Mike & Keys, have entered an exclusive two-album partnership with Lowly/Create Music Group for their new EP, 10 Toes Down. The EP features Casey Veggies and offers melodic bass lines that nod your head and tunes perfect for the summer.

JasonMartin — I Owe Myself (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

JasonMartin, the Compton rapper formerly known as Problem, transforms his musical style with the introspective and soulful new album, I Owe Myself. Available through 50Million, the album includes contributions from Terrace Martin, Rei The Imperial, and Mrcl, among others.

Madison McFerrin — I Hope You Can Forgive Me (R&B) [Listen]

Following years of careful crafting, Madison McFerrin launches her first studio album, I Hope You Can Forgive Me. The album features an increasingly scarce on-record appearance from her father, Bobby McFerrin.