Wednesday Roundups #32: 7 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Stream releases from Aesop Rock, Lord Apex, Samoht, Wiki & Tony Seltzer, Onry Ozzborn, Sonnyjim & Lee Scott, and P.H.D.
Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!
The thirty-second 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. Aesop Rock, Lord Apex, Samoht, Wiki & Tony Seltzer, Only Ozzborn, Sonnyjim & Lee Scott, and P.H.D. 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!
Aesop Rock — Integrated Tech Solutions (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Aesop Rock has long been recognized for his ability to dissect the prevailing cultural lexicon, revealing the inherent instabilities within what is often perceived as a robust societal structure. His latest offering, Integrated Tech Solutions, is no exception. This album, marking his tenth, employs a subversive use of jargon typically associated with the corporate world. Aesop Rock harnesses this language to meticulously separate a pervasive and detrimental mindset from the elements of existence that hold genuine significance.
Lord Apex — The Good Fight (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
A multifaceted artist hailing from West London, Lord Apex has unveiled his latest musical offering titled The Good Fight. This album is a showcase of exceptional production, featuring an array of prime beats crafted by luminaries such as Madlib. The project also benefits from the creative inputs of DJ Khalil, Angus Luke, Pops & Crooklin, Black Noi$e, and Earbuds. At the heart of this new release is Lord Apex’s clear and focused vision. To realize this vision, he has orchestrated a collaboration with a select group of esteemed artists. Contributions from American artist Freddie Gibbs, the soulful Greentea Peng, and the talented MAVI highlight the album.
Samoht — Amor (R&B) [Listen]
Samoht unveils his latest creative venture, an album titled Amor. This collection of 13 tracks, which he has brought to life without the backing of a major label, features a trio of songs that have already found their way to the public’s ear: “Moonlight,” “Pool,” and “Sexy & You Know It.” Within this body of work, Samoht navigates the raveled landscape of affection with a raw authenticity. He explores a spectrum of emotional depths in his relationships, from fervent commitment showcased in the track “Emergency” to expressions of physical longing in “Azz” and extending to moments of repentance with “Belong 2 U,” where he seeks reconciliation following discord.
Wiki & Tony Seltzer — 14K Figaro (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
The latest offering from Wiki, 14K Figaro, emerges as a continuation of his artistic collaborations, following joint endeavors with notable figures such as The Alchemist, MIKE, Navy Blue, Subjxct5, and NAH. This new work is exclusively crafted by the skilled hands of Tony Seltzer, who has been instrumental in shaping Wiki’s sound from the outset. Seltzer’s influence was first felt on No Mountains in Manhattan, Wiki’s initial release under XL Recordings in 2017, and was further solidified with the impactful successor, Oofie, in 2019. The record also features a roster of accomplished collaborators. Among them are Remy Banks of World’s Fair, Zelooperz from Bruiser Brigade, and WifiGawd.
Onry Ozzborn — BlvckBeachBoi (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Onry Ozzborn originates from a charming village nestled within the enchanting expanses of his homeland. His journey to VVeastwick unfolded along the historic pathways of the Oregon Trail. This passage has seen him traverse the region for an extensive period, with his presence dating back to 1717.
In his latest album, Onry Ozzborn presents BlvckBeachBoi, a collection of thirteen songs that were available exclusively on Bandcamp, now on streaming platforms. This work is characterized by its brooding production quality and includes collaborations with notable artists such as Aesop Rock. The project continues to showcase Onry’s enduring presence in the music scene, marking yet another chapter in his extensive exploration of auditory creativity.
Sonnyjim & Lee Scott — Ortolan & Armagnac (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Sonnyjim unveils his latest work, Ortolan & Armagnac, a concise yet short collection of music crafted under the production guidance of Lee Scott. Spanning a brief 26 minutes, this album presents a suite of 10 tracks, each enriched by the collaborative efforts of a diverse group of artists, including Your Old Droog, CRIMEAPPLE, Heems, D-Styles, King Grubb, and Beni LayLo.
P.H.D. — Poor, Hungry, Determined (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Hailing from the vibrant city of Detroit, Michigan, P.H.D. made his mark as an adept MC with a distinctive voice in the hip-hop community. A partnership with Foul Mouth, a fellow MC and producer, characterized his initial steps into the music industry. This collaboration gave birth to Da Bash Brotherz, and together, they unveiled a mixtape in the spring of 2010 that captured their combined creative energies. While Foul Mouth's career trajectory propelled him to become a highly sought-after producer in Detroit and led to the co-founding of Middle Finger Music with Pat Deegan, P.H.D.’s path diverged.
The spring of 2020 brought with it a silence that was felt deeply within the music community due to the pandemic lockdowns. It was during this time that P.H.D., at the age of 41, met an untimely and tragic end. His departure left a void in the fabric of the hip-hop scene where his presence had once been a source of inspiration.
Yet, in a turn of events filled with poignancy and respect for his memory, it was disclosed that Foul Mouth would join forces with Jimbo Slice and Pig Pen to bring to life P.H.D.’s posthumous solo debut. The revelation, which came to light merely a week earlier, was received with a mixture of anticipation and respect. It signaled a dedication to honoring P.H.D.’s memory in a manner that diverged from the often commercially driven nature of posthumous releases.
The resulting album is a powerful homage to P.H.D.’s life and artistic contributions, distinguished by its exceptional production quality and compelling guest appearances. Together, they narrate the life of an individual characterized by poverty, hunger, and determination—reflecting the very qualities that P.H.D. himself embodied. This project transcends being just another collection of songs; it is a respectful and fitting honor to an artist whose influence continues to be felt and whose story still inspires those who encounter his work.