Wednesday Roundups #25: 16 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Stream releases from Cleo Sol, Corinne Bailey Rae, Erica Campbell, Kwaku Asante, IX WULF, Heather Victoria, and more.
Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!
The twenty-fifth 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. Cleo Sol, Corinne Bailey Rae, Erica Campbell, Kwaku Asante, IX WULF, Heather Victoria, Ransom, JAHMED, Cassper Nyovest, Citizen Queen, Steven Bamiedele, Maverick City Music, Rasheed Chappell & The Arcitype, Phro., ZelooperZ & Quadie Diesel, and Shaykh Hanif & MichaelAngelo 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!
Cleo Sol — Heaven (R&B) [Listen]
UK soul singer Cleo Sol has released her third album, Heaven, which follows the success of her previous releases. The album was produced by Inflo, with whom Cleo has had a longstanding partnership. Cleo thanked her fans for their support and for embracing her honest songwriting. Heaven consists of nine tracks that delve into themes of self-love and the lessons learned from parenthood. Cleo’s ability to connect deeply with listeners through her intimate compositions and poignant lyrics continues to highlight her work.
Corinne Bailey Rae — Black Rainbows (R&B/Alternative/Punk/Electronica) [Listen]
Corinne Bailey Rae’s Black Rainbows takes a surprising turn toward multiple genres. The album reflects Rae’s teenage rock influences without being a cheap imitation. Inspired by a visit to the Stony Island Arts Bank, Rae found inspiration in a 1954 photo of Audrey Smaltz, which led to the energetic track “New York Transit Queen.” Rae also explored the collection of “Negrobilia” at the arts bank, which influenced the intense and raw track “Erasure.” Black Rainbows showcases Rae’s transformation and her ability to tackle historical injustices through her music.
Erica Campbell — I Love You (Gospel) [Listen]
Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Erica Campbell is set to release her highly anticipated third studio album, I LOVE YOU. The album features the back-to-back singles “POSITIVE” and “FEEL ALRIGHT (Blessed),” which have already garnered acclaim and awards. Campbell describes the album as a reflection of her journey in understanding and receiving God’s love.
Kwaku Asante — Blue Solstice: Volume 2 (R&B) [Listen]
London singer-songwriter Kwaku Asante has released his highly anticipated nine-track project, Blue Solstice: Volume 2. The album showcases a shift in Kwaku’s sound, incorporating R&B, Pop, and Funk elements. It explores the complexities of modern dating and the emotions that come into play. Kwaku’s musical journey is influenced by his grandfather, an executive producer in Ghana who worked with Quincy Jones and Fela Kuti. Last year, Kwaku toured with Samm Henshaw and Pip Millet, performing at iconic venues nationwide.
IX WULF — heal yourself first (R&B) [Listen]
IX WULF is meticulously crafting his legacy in R&B with his latest project, heal yourself first. Through a short film and a collection of soulful tracks, WULF’s attention to detail shines, earning him well-deserved praise. Exploring the complexities of relationships, he dismantles the flawed foundations of love and painstakingly rebuilds them with raw honesty. WULF emphasizes that healing the wounds inflicted by love requires more than a superficial fix; it demands deep care and vigilant monitoring to prevent further harm.
Heather Victoria — I Can’t Make This Up - EP (R&B) [Listen]
Heather Victoria returns with her latest EP, I Can’t Make This Up. Her previously released single, “Toxic,” already lets you know what you’re in for sonically. It serves as her appetizer for her next project, awaiting a follow-up in 2019.
Ransom — SPARE THE ROD, SPOIL THE CHILD - EP (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Kicking off the year with his LP, Directors Cut 4, Ransom returned with his second EP of the year. A few weeks ago, he graced us with Deleted Scenes 2, an EP showcasing his collaborative genius alongside the incomparable Nicholas Craven. Each track on this EP cleverly borrowed its title from various movie genres, further highlighting Ransom’s ability to blend his lyrical acumen with his love for cinema seamlessly.
JAHMED — THE PROPHECY (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
JAHMED, the emerging talent originating from Pomona, California, and presently calling Victorville home, is igniting a hunger within the music industry with his unparalleled fusion of rap and introspective wordplay on THE PROPHECY. Despite his tender age of 14, he is propelled by an innate, almost ethereal bond with music that has resonated with him since his first breath.
Cassper Nyovest — Solomon (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
South African rapper Cassper Nyovest’s new album Solomon has been highly anticipated and lives up to the hype. The album showcases Nyovest’s confidence and vulnerability, with boom-bap beats and soul/R&B-inspired instrumentals reminiscent of the 90s and 2000s hip-hop. The record is filled with themes of success, rising above doubters, and religious undertones. Nyovest’s effortless flow and slick bars shine throughout the album. The emotional highlight of the record is “Candlelight,” a heartfelt tribute to the late rapper AKA and Costa Titch. While the album has a few generic moments, Nyovest’s collaborations and the overall production elevate it to greatness.
Citizen Queen — CLIQUE (Pop/R&B) [Listen]
Citizen Queen, a TikTok pop group, released their debut EP, CLIQUE. The EP features the vocalists Kaedi Dalley, Cora Isabel, and Nina Ann Nelson.
Steven Bamidele — Summing Up (R&B) [Listen]
Summing Up is the debut album by Steven Bamidele, a singer, songwriter, and producer. The album delves into personal themes like racial identity, family, and self-reflection. It features previously released singles with “Kaleidoscope” and “Dark Sense of Humour (Farfisa)”. The introspective lyrics allow listeners to connect with Steven’s stories while reflecting on their experiences. The album explores the balance between individualism and societal expectations and the years of dedication it took for Steven to find his creative voice. Influenced by artists like Marvin Gaye and Radiohead, Steven combines synth textures, beats, and falsetto to create soulful, psychedelic music.
Maverick City Music — The Maverick Way - EP (Gospel) [Listen]
Maverick City Music released The Maverick Way EP via TRIBL Records. The 6-track project features collaborations with Noah Schnacky, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Bobbi Storm, and Wande. The collective has already shared previews of the EP, including the songs “No Longer Bound,” “God Problems,” and “Crazy Love.”
Rasheed Chappell & The Arcitype — Sugar Bills (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Rasheed Chappell releases his latest album, Sugar Bills, produced by The Arcitype. The project blends old and new, showcasing Chappell’s versatility. The standout track, “Chappell Show,” displays his lyricism and enduring artistry. The album is sample-free but still radiates classic energy. With guest appearances from Rome Streetz, 38 Spesh, and Jasmine Lopez, Sugar Bills solidifies Chappell’s position in the underground hip-hop scene.
Phro. — Ambition 2 (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Phro. returns with Ambitions 2. In the follow-up to 2020’s Ambitions, he grabbed some heavy hitters from Skyzoo, Blu, Chuck Strangers, Jayy Grams, and more.
ZelooperZ & Quadie Diesel — Quazel (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Zelooperz’s latest offering, Quazel, does not disappoint. With its oddball beats and idiosyncratic delivery, the album stays true to the artist’s signature style. However, it must be noted that there is a slight lack of cohesion between the two artists featured on this record. While Quadie Diesel showcases some impressive flows, there are moments where he seems to lose his footing and struggles to keep up. Nevertheless, both rappers inject the album with playful and enjoyable bars, maintaining a lighthearted tone.
Shaykh Hanif & MichaelAngelo — Wilderness of North America (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Wilderness of North America is the latest release from Shaykh Hanif and MichaelAngelo. The fans of classic hip-hop look no further to check this album out.