Wednesday Roundups #31: 9 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time

Stream releases from Black Pumas, Leela James, Mayer Hawthorne, DESTIN CONRAD, Domo Genesis & Graymatter, Brandon Williams, SIPHO, Erykah Officer, and Radamiz.

Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!

The thirty-first outing of Wednesday Roundups!

It might be challenging to prioritize your music listening when so much new music is available. Shatter the Standards provides a weekly summary of newsworthy releases on streaming platforms. Black Pumas, Leela James, Mayer Hawthorne, DESTIN CONRAD, Domo Genesis & Graymatter, Brandon Williams, SIPHO, Erykah Officer, and Radamiz 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!

Black Pumas — Chronicles of a Diamond (Soul) [Listen]

Black Pumas’ new ​album, Chronicles ​of a Diamond, ​is a ​grounded and expansive ​record showcasing the best 21st-century soul music. ​The duo, ​consisting of Eric ​Burton and ​Adrian Quseada, has ​created a ​fusion of rock’n’roll, ​jazz, hip-hop, ​and soulful vibes ​that surpasses ​their debut album. ​Burton’s increased ​involvement in  ​songwriting and ​recording has ​allowed him ​to showcase his ​artistic growth and confidence. The ​album features anthemic ​tracks like ​‘More Than a ​Love Song’ ​and heartfelt songs ​like ‘Mrs ​Postman,’ demonstrating Black ​Pumas’ ability ​to deliver authentic ​and honest ​compositions. With this ​album, Black ​Pumas solidified their ​position as ​leaders in the ​soul revival ​movement.

Leela James — Thought U Knew (R&B) [Listen]

Leela James’ ​new album ​Thought U Knew ​features nine ​tracks and was ​released through ​She Sangz Music/BMG. ​The album ​includes a notable ​single, “Right ​Back In It,” ​which was ​well-received, landing in ​the top ​10 of Billboard’s ​Adult R&B ​Airplay chart. The album’s ​title track was ​released as ​a second single ​with an ​accompanying video inspired ​by a ​1996 cult classic. ​The album ​explores ​self-reflection, love, ​and infidelity through ​tracks like ​“Good On Me” ​and “If ​I Was Your ​Woman.” Thought ​U Knew follows ​James’ successful ​2021 album See ​Me. Leela ​James is promoting ​the album ​on a global ​tour, extending ​her performances in ​North America ​post-October, with additional ​shows planned ​for winter 2024.

Mayer Hawthorne — For All Time (Soul) [Listen]

​In his ​fifth studio effort, ​For All ​Time, Mayer Hawthorne ​extensively explores ​the human ​heart’s diverse intricacies, ​mainly focusing ​on the multi-faceted ​nature of ​love and the ​raw, unfiltered ​emotions it evokes. ​The album ​isn’t merely a ​collection of ​tracks; it’s an ​expedition into ​the core of ​heartfelt sentiments. ​Each melody resembles ​a hallway leading ​to the ​extensive chambers of ​love’s sensations, ​with Hawthorne as ​the discerning ​guide. His ambiance ​is atmospherically potent, ​drawing listeners ​into a smoky, ​art deco ​jazz club ambiance ​that is ​as evocative as ​sultry.

DESTIN CONRAD — SUBMISSIVE (R&B) [Listen]

DESTIN CONRAD’s ​new album ​SUBMISSIVE comprises nine ​tracks with ​notable songs like ​“Switch,” “Outta ​Control,” and “Luv ​n Devotion,” ​and features artists ​Masego and ​Jordan Conrad. The ​album begins ​with “Mariposa,” illustrating ​a complex ​relationship. In “Low ​Tide,” CONRAD ​explores deep thoughts ​triggered by ​hallucinogens. The album, ​transcending mere ​sensual interpretations of ​submissiveness, reflects ​on embracing change ​and personal ​growth. This album ​follows his ​2022 project, Satin, and his ​2021 debut, Colorway.

Domo Genesis & Graymatter — What You Don’t Get?! (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

What You Don’t ​Get?! is ​the third album ​from Inglewood ​rapper Domo Genesis. ​The album ​features production from ​Graymatter and ​showcases Domo’s pen ​skills. The ​tracks vary in ​sound, from ​drumless flute-tinged openers ​to jazzy ​beats. Domo touches ​on topics ​like not believing ​bullshit, staying ​true to himself, ​and keeping ​enemies close. The ​album closes ​on a heartfelt ​note, expressing ​gratitude for his ​journey.

Brandon Williams — The Lover’s Suite (Jazz) [Listen]

Brandon Williams returns with The Lovers Suite. He follows up with the prequel to 2019’s The Love Factor, which is severely underrated. The album features guests, including Robert Gasper, Taylor Eigisti, Matt Cusson, Joe Poré, Perry Hughes, and Brian McKnight, Jr.

SIPHO — PRAYERS & PARANOIA (R&B) [Listen]

SIPHO’s ​debut album, PRAYERS ​& PARANOIA, ​is a hauntingly ​beautiful and ​fierce work of ​art. It ​combines foreboding strings, ​iridescent vocals, ​and powerful drums ​to create ​a unique sound. ​The album ​explores ​ego, vulnerability, ​and self-worth themes, making ​it universally ​relatable. The emotional ​and technical ​range displayed in ​the album ​is awe-inspiring. Sharp ​rock riffs ​and piercing vocals ​convey raw ​emotion, while uplifting ​moments add ​a sense of ​fun. PRAYERS ​& PARANOIA solidifies ​SIPHO as ​a dynamic and ​exciting voice ​in music today.

Erykah Officer — Ery’s Diary (R&B) [Listen]

​In the ​first revelation through ​Ery’s Diary, ​Erykah Officer, the ​distinguished singer ​from Queens, ​unveils a ​collection of nine ​reflective tracks, ​like it’s taken ​from pages ​straight out of ​a journal. ​The cozy ambiance ​of the ​production and ​the raw ​honesty in her ​lyrics allow ​for a genuine ​peek into ​her inner musings, ​displaying a ​level of vulnerability ​that resonates ​deeply. Despite its ​brevity, this ​piece solidifies Erykah’s ​place as ​a refreshing new ​voice, breaking ​the silence that ​once enveloped ​such critical discussions ​and allowing ​unguarded discourse ​to flourish.

Radamiz — El Duende! (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

​With a nod ​of approval ​from Eminem and ​a remarkable ​appearance at Gypsy ​Sport’s Los ​Angeles Fashion Week ​show, Brooklyn’s ​own Radamiz reveals ​his newest ​musical creation, El ​Duende! This ​collection of nine ​tunes ventures ​into the realm ​of “Duende,” ​a notion brought ​to light ​by Federico Garcia ​Lorca about ​a hundred years ​ago, holding ​a significant position ​in the ​arts. The album includes the earlier ​shared tracks ​“The Monk’s Ferrari” ​and a ​joint venture with ICECOLDBISHOP, “Ffiirree.”