Wednesday Roundups #24: 12 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Wednesday Roundups #24: 12 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Stream releases from Apollo Brown & Planet Asia, Yussef Dayes, 38 Spesh & Conway the Machine, Tone Stith, Jalen Ngonda, GAWD, and more.
Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!
The twenty-fourth outing of Wednesday Roundups!
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. Apollo Brown & Planet Asia, Yussef Dayes, 38 Spesh & Conway the Machine, Tone Stith, Jalen Ngonda, GAWD, Rebel Rae, JAHKOY, Irreversible Entanglements, Roísín Murphy, James Blake, and Buju Banton were 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!
Apollo Brown & Planet Asia — Sardines (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Sardines encompasses Planet Asia’s ability to release a torrent of amusing taunts and boastful discussions reminiscent of a crime boss. Apollo Brown brings his talent to creating harmonious melodies, soulful music, and a unique vocal style. The guest artists, including Sick Jacken, TriState, Marv Won, and Ty Farris, have been carefully chosen and complemented the album’s overall cohesion. There is no unnecessary content or subpar additions. Authenticity reigns supreme. Envision the impact of lightning striking with remarkable consistency.
Yussef Dayes — Black Classical Music (Jazz) [Listen]
Yussef Dayes presents his inaugural solo release titled Black Classical Music. Comprising 19 captivating tracks, this album skillfully combines elements of 70s funk, reggae, and Senegalese percussion while paying homage to the energetic dancefloor rhythms of the soundsystem continuum. Throughout the album, Yussef’s unmistakable drum melodies, accompanied by the solid bass lines of Rocco Palladino, serve as the steadfast foundation. Furthermore, Charlie Stacey and Elijah Fox contribute their expertise on keys and synths, Venna on the saxophone, and an array of exceptional guest artists, including Chronixx, Jamilah Barry, Tom Misch, Shabaka Hutchings, Miles James, Sheila Maurice Grey, Nathaniel Cross, Theon Cross, and the Chineke! Orchestra.
38 Spesh & Conway the Machine — Speshal Machinery (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
The chemistry between 38 Spesh and Conway is palpable in Speshal Machinery. Despite its concise length of 28 minutes spanning ten tracks, the project leaves a lasting impact akin to a powerful semi-truck, thanks to its adept combination of street talk with resonating boom-bap and jazz production. Notably, 38 Spesh and his collaborator Jimmy Dukes demonstrate exceptional production skills. This remarkable album is undoubtedly a strong contender for Album of the Year accolades.
Tone Stith — P.O.V (R&B) [Listen]
Tone Stith’s latest EP, P.O.V, showcases his heartfelt commitment to his lady while revealing some expected toxicity following heartbreak. With an ability to draw in listeners, Tone’s music tells the story of falling in love, getting hurt, and owning up to mistakes—something often lacking in modern R&B artists. The tracks “Girls Like You” and “I Need You” reflect on Tone’s past heartbreak.
Jalen Ngonda — Come Around and Love Me (R&B) [Listen]
Jalen Ngonda’s debut release, Come Around and Love Me, effectively breathes new life into the nostalgic charm of Motown’s golden era. This debut album is a heartfelt homage, channeling the essence of the past while embracing modern sensibilities. The seamless fusion of traditional and contemporary elements is eloquently demonstrated through Ngonda’s incredible vocals, allowing his range of emotions and experience the enduring soul that transcends time into the 21st century.
GAWD — Cathedral City (R&B) [Listen]
GAWD has garnered buzz through their solid inaugural EP, Cathedral City. In their fusion of dance music and R&B, this duo, consisting of Alana and Alayna, epitomizes a quality best described as ethereal. It also should be noted that there are Raedio’s most recent additions.
Rebel Rae — Take All My Tears (Pop/R&B) [Listen]
Rebel Rae’s vocal expertise, profound lyricism, and captivating harmonies collectively form an unparalleled triumph in her offering, Take All My Tears. As she expertly navigates through the intricacies of love and the complexities of life, Rebel Rae’s personal growth and unwavering artistic trajectory are evident, akin to a resplendent rose bush in full bloom. Endorsements from R&B veterans confirm her indomitable stardom.
JAHKOY — Pretty Conversation (R&B) [Listen]
JAHKOY’s latest album is one of the finest releases this year, a commendation not to be underestimated. The tracks explore the profound connection, and pondering its reciprocity, he fearlessly delves into the depths of his emotions. These sentiments persist throughout the album with its authenticity and introspection.
Irreversible Entanglements — Protect Your Light (Jazz) [Listen]
Irreversible Entanglements released Protect Your Light as their debut in Impulse! Records. The new album blends jazz, hip-hop, global music traditions, and spoken word. It showcases the talents of the quintet comprising vocalist/poet Camae Ayewa, saxophonist Keir Neuringer, bassist Luke Stewart, trumpeter Aquiles Navarro, and drummer Tcheser Holmes. Through adventurous improvisation, inspired by Ayewa’s poetry centered around the Black experience, love, power, community, and liberation, the album breaks conventional boundaries.
Roísín Murphy — Hit Parade (Pop) [Listen]
Hit Parade pairs Roísín Murphy with DJ Koze, a German producer, exhibiting a harmonious collaboration that resonates with their idiosyncratic sensibilities. The songs display a sampladelic aesthetic akin to The Avalanches, skillfully blending diverse musical elements reminiscent of an extensive crate-digging session despite her comments toward the Trans community.
James Blake — Playing Robots Into Heaven (Electronic) [Listen]
James Blake has returned with his latest studio album, Playing Robots Into Heaven. Feel free to stream it below. After exploring ambient music last year, Blake returns to his roots with this album, delving back into the electronic soundscapes that first introduced him to the world on early EPs such as “The Bells Sketch” and “CMYK.” The lead single, “Big Hammer,” sets the tone for the album, showcasing Blake’s confidence as an established artist of over a decade.
Buju Banton — BORN FOR GREATNESS (Reggae) [Listen]
Buju Banton has officially released his much-anticipated album titled BORN FOR GREATNESS, which showcases a constellation of renowned artists throughout its composition. This latest musical endeavor follows his significant accomplishment of being nominated for a Grammy in 2021. As an esteemed personality in reggae music, Buju Banton maintains his position as a truly influential, impactful, and extraordinary figure in this genre. Notable guest appearances on this record include Stephen Marley in the track titled “Feel a Way,” Snoop Dogg collaborating on the global hit “High Life,” and Victoria Monét lending her talents to the latest single, “Body Touching Body.”