Wednesday Roundups #28: 10 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time

Stream releases from Kirk Franklin, pat junior, CARRTOONS, Ty Farris & Graymatter, Mndsgn, Elcamino, Joy Denalane, Butcher Brown, Aby Coulibaly, and Kate Stewart.

Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!

The twenty-eighth 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. Kirk Franklin, pat junior, CARRTOONS, Ty Farris & Graymatter, Mndsgn, Elcamino, Joy Denalane, Butcher Brown, Aby Coulibaly, and Kate Stewart 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!

Kirk Franklin — Father’s Day (Gospel) [Listen]

Kirk Franklin’s thirteenth ​album, Father’s ​Day, explores the ​duality of ​reality. The opening ​track, “Welcome ​Home,” sets the ​tone with ​its theme of ​suffering and ​redemption. The album’s ​musical arrangements ​are cheerful yet ​introspective, reflecting ​Franklin’s maturity as ​a songwriter. ​The singles “Try ​Love” and ​“All Things” emphasize ​the power ​of individuals to ​make a ​positive impact. The ​album’s ballads, ​such as “Needs” ​and “Again,” ​showcase Franklin’s hushed ​and emotive ​vocals. The album ​ends with ​the poignant and ​reflective “Somebody’s ​Son.” Father’s Day ​showcases Franklin’s ​growth as an ​artist and ​his ability to ​convey profound ​messages through his ​music.

pat junior — Grill Talk Mixtape, Vol. 1 (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

North ​Carolina rapper Pat ​Junior’s new ​tape, Grill Talk ​Mixtape, Vol. ​1, reflects his ​personal journey ​and strong faith. ​Pat Junior ​faced religious trauma ​in high ​school but found ​healing through ​therapy and a ​personal relationship ​with God. His ​wife has ​influenced his music ​career; they ​work together as ​a team. ​The mixtape features ​fifteen tracks ​that combine catchy ​flows, powerful ​lyrics, and stage-worthy ​beats.

CARRTOONS — Saturday Night (R&B) [Listen]

CARRTOONS, ​a multi-instrumentalist and ​producer from ​New York, has ​released his ​new album Saturday ​Night on ​Wichita Recordings. Known ​for his ​emphasis on hard-hitting ​baselines, CARRTOONS ​has collaborated with ​notable artists ​such as Roy ​Ayers, Terrace ​Martin, and George ​Clinton. With ​a degree in ​Jazz Performance ​and a rich ​musical background, ​CARRTOONS’ music has ​garnered attention ​and commercial placements ​with brands.

Ty Farris & Graymatter — Sounds That Never Left My Soul (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

​Sounds That Never ​Left My ​Soul is the tenth full-length ​album from Detroit ​rapper Ty ​Farris, featuring production ​from Graymatter. ​The album showcases ​Ty’s consistency ​and growth as ​an artist, ​with standouts including “Everything ​They Not” and ​“Lifetime of ​Misery.” The production ​on the ​album is a ​step above ​Ty’s previous release, ​and the ​concepts he addresses ​are relatable ​and resonate with ​listeners.

Mndsgn — Snaxxx (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

Mndsgn ​has released a ​new record ​called Snaxxx, part ​of his ​ongoing Snax series. ​The album ​features playful rhythms ​and catchy ​melodies, capturing the ​mood of ​grazing between salty ​and sweet ​snacks. The artwork ​and packaging ​evoke a nostalgic ​feeling reminiscent ​of Asian supermarkets. ​Snaxxx includes ​collaborations with Anna ​Wise, Liv.e, ​and Devin Morrison.

Elcamino — They Spit On Jesus (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

​Elcamino has released ​his debut ​album, They Spit ​On Jesus. ​The album features ​collaborations with ​artists like Benny ​The Butcher, ​Inspectah Deck, Havoc, ​Armani Caesar, ​Jansport J, Loveboat ​Luciano, and ​Fuego Base. Elcamino’s ​affiliation with ​Griselda has led ​to his ​signing with Benny ​the Butcher’s ​BSF imprint. The ​album is ​described as a ​return to ​the original sound ​and feel ​of first-generation Griselda ​art.

Joy Denalane — WILLPOWER (Pop/R&B) [Listen]

German ​soul singer Joy ​Denalane has ​released her sixth ​studio album, ​WILLPOWER. The album’s ​first single, ​“Hideaway,” is a ​soul ballad ​that tells Denalane’s ​unique love ​story. The accompanying ​music video, ​shot in Portugal, ​showcases the ​peaceful life Denalane ​and her ​partner lead in ​nature. WILLPOWER ​explores themes of ​goodbyes, new ​beginnings, and the ​power of ​self-assertion, drawing inspiration ​from American ​soul music.

Butcher Brown — Solar Music (Jazz) [Listen]

Butcher Brown's latest album, Solar Music, seamlessly combines jazz and hip-hop, bridging the gap between the two genres. The band skillfully incorporates the harmonic complexity of jazz with the rhythmic conventions of hip-hop. The album showcases uplifting and optimistic tracks like “Cozumel” and “Espionage,” alongside energetic and fast-paced songs like “MOVE (RIDE)” featuring Jay Prince. By honoring both traditions and capturing the essence of hip-hop while showcasing their instrumental expertise, Butcher Brown creates a unique and compelling musical experience.

Aby Coulibaly — At the End of the Day… It’s Night (R&B) [Listen]

Irish R&B artist Aby Coulibaly has released her highly anticipated debut EP, At the End of the Day… It’s Night, through AMF Records and Universal Music Ireland. The EP features nine tracks that explore the complexities of human emotions, showcasing Aby’s astute lyricism and diverse musical range. Influenced by artists like Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill, Aby’s sound transcends genres, blending soul, R&B, and experimental elements. With her captivating voice and unique approach to storytelling, Aby has garnered a strong following and is poised for further success.

Kate Stewart — You Had to Be There - EP (R&B) [Listen]

West ​London artist ​Kate Stewart has ​released her ​new EP You ​Had to ​Be There. The ​EP showcases ​Stewart’s three-octave range ​and soul-affirming ​lyricism with a ​contemporary R&B ​feel. Stewart describes ​the EP ​as a deeply ​personal project, ​where she opens ​up about ​her own experiences ​and emotions. ​She hopes fans ​can relate ​to the EP ​and find ​a sense of release.