Wednesday Roundups #33: 12 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time

Stream releases from Danny Brown, Terrace Martin & Gallant, Blockhead, Vinnie Paz, Leslie Odom, Jr., Ego Ella May, Colette Lush, Busty and the Bass, Bastards of Soul, and more.

Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!

The thirty-third 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. Danny Brown, Terrace Martin & Gallant, Blockhead, Vinnie Paz, Leslie Odom, Jr., Ego Ella May, Colette Lush, Busty and the Bass, Bastards of Soul, Real Bad Man & YUNGMORPHEUS, TeaMarrr, and Journey Montana 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!

Danny Brown — Quaranta (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

Closing out 2023, Danny Brown presents Quaranta, a significant release marking his first solo album in four years. This album departs from the chaotic energy of March’s SCARING THE HOES with JPEGMAFIA. Quaranta, Italian for “forty,” symbolizes a pivotal moment in Brown’s career, aligning with his age at the time of the album’s conceptualization. He was 40, two years younger than he is now. This release is a nod to his career trajectory, initiated with his 2011 album XXX, released when he turned 30. Quaranta showcases Brown’s evolution as an artist with just 11 distinct and robust songs without any unnecessary tracks. Unlike his previous works, this album exhibits a consistent mood across all songs. Despite this consistency, each track is unique, ensuring the album always feels varied. The individuality of each song contributes to the album’s overall depth, demonstrating Brown’s refined focus and artistic growth.

Terrace Martin & Gallant — sneek (R&B/Jazz) [Listen]

In ​partnership with ​Gallant, Terrace Martin has just ​unveiled their ​latest collaborative effort, ​the album ​sneek. A joint ​endeavor with Lowly ​and Create ​Music Group showcases Martin’s evolving ​artistic direction. ​Ahead of the ​album’s release, ​the duo whetted ​audiences’ appetites ​with the single ​“311!”, a ​jazz-inspired composition that ​saw contributions ​from notable musicians ​Robert Glasper ​and Keyon Harrold. ​sneek is ​a collection of ​nine tracks, ​each distinct in ​its vibrant ​tonal and harmonic ​diversity. Each ​song stands out ​for its ​unique blend of ​sounds and ​styles, reflecting the ​collaborative chemistry of Martin and ​Gallant. This ​album ​represents a ​new chapter for ​Martin’s O’Connor ​label and ​underscores the ​creative chemistry between ​the artists ​involved.

Blockhead — The Aux (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

Blockhead returned for ​his latest ​solo LP, The ​Aux. This ​partnership follows Blockhead’s ​successful 2021 ​Garbology project with ​Aesop Rock. ​The ​Aux, executive ​produced by ​woods and released ​under his ​Backwoodz Studioz label, ​is an ​ambitious project that ​brings together ​various talents ​from various generations ​and scenes ​within the indie ​and underground ​rap sphere. The ​album, described ​by Backwoodz Studioz ​as akin ​to an “indie ​hip-hop All-Star ​game,” features a ​remarkable lineup ​of guest artists. ​These include ​notable figures such ​as woods ​himself (alongside Armand ​Hammer), Aesop ​Rock, Navy Blue, ​Quelle Chris, ​Open Mike Eagle, ​Bruiser Wolf, ​AKAI SOLO, Defcee, ​ShrapKnel, RXK ​Nephew, Fatboi Sharif, ​and more. ​Notably, the album’s final track is ​a collaboration ​featuring Bruiser Wolf, ​Danny Brown, ​billy woods, and ​Despot, highlighting ​the project’s breadth ​and depth ​in connecting different ​facets of ​the rap world.

Vinnie Paz — All Are Guests in the House of God (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

Philadelphia’s own Vinnie ​Paz, a ​mainstay in the ​underground rap ​scene, returns to ​release his ​eighth album with ​All Are ​Guests in the ​House of ​God. Vinnie has ​built a ​reputation for delivering ​consistent quality, ​and his latest ​work is ​no exception. The ​project reflects ​his unwavering commitment ​to craft ​as it seamlessly ​integrates elements ​of the modern ​trap with ​his signature hardcore ​boom-bap sound. ​While this blend ​pays homage ​to traditional hip-hop ​rhythms, it ​also infuses contemporary ​production techniques ​that add a ​fresh dimension ​to his music.

Leslie Odom, Jr. — When a Crooner Dies (R&B) [Listen]

Leslie Odom has ​unveiled When ​a Crooner Dies, ​his fifth ​full-length album, featuring ​a suite ​of 10 original ​tracks. This ​latest work is ​Odom’s first ​venture into entirely ​new music ​since 2019. The ​album, developed ​over several years, ​is his most ​intimate musical ​project. It highlights ​his unique ​talents, particularly his ​smooth and ​instantly recognizable vocal ​style. These ​newly penned songs ​ ​showcase Odom’s artistic ​flair and offer a ​glimpse into ​his musical career.

Ego Ella May — Fieldnotes, Pt. III - EP (R&B) [Listen]

The creative trajectory ​of Ego ​Ella May reaches ​a new ​high with the ​release of ​Fieldnotes, Pt. III, ​the final ​installment in her ​trilogy of ​EPs that have ​captivated fans ​with their diaristic ​intimacy and ​neo-soul rhythms. Initiated ​during the ​lockdown period, this ​project by ​the soulful songstress ​has evolved, ​showcasing an ever-expanding ​musical landscape. ​Fieldnotes, Pt. III culminates the series and ​introduces fresh voices ​into the ​sonic world Ego ​Ella May ​has crafted. With ​this latest ​offering, she completes ​a personal ​and musical journey ​that began ​as a sparse ​and introspective ​endeavor and now ​stands complete, ​reflecting her growth ​and exploration ​through sound.

Colette Lush — Ginger in Paris (R&B) [Listen]

Colette Lush releases another short project with Ginger in Paris. According to her Instagram post, she thanks her “situationships and long-term relationships that inspire the love and heartbreak songs.” It’s seven tracks long, and John Lindahl produces it.

Busty and the Bass — Forever Never Cares (Soul) [Listen]

The collective known ​as Busty ​and the Bass, ​which traces ​back ​to McGill ​University in Montreal, ​has been ​synonymous with collaborative ​musical ventures ​since their inception ​over ten ​years ago. Now ​spread across ​four cities in ​North America, ​the ensemble’s latest ​studio offering, ​Forever Never Cares, ​serves as ​a bridge that ​connects them ​despite the miles ​apart. This ​album encapsulates an ​audio experience ​that echoes a ​past era ​while simultaneously embodying ​the essence ​of contemporary sound. ​The emotional ​resonance in Alistair ​Blu’s voice, ​Jordan Brown’s otherworldly ​high notes, ​Katie Tupper’s sultry ​timbre, Son ​Little’s soul-stirring vocals, ​Clerel’s melodious ​charm, and Magi ​Merlin’s exuberant ​delivery all converge ​to create ​a richly textured ​auditory fabric. ​This third studio ​album from ​Busty and the ​Bass is ​an ​artifact of ​their collective spirit ​and ​a showcase of ​how they ​remain musically intertwined ​despite physical ​distances, blending old-school ​vibes with ​the new school beats.

Bastards of Soul — Give It Right Back (Soul) [Listen]

Bastards of Soul ​unveils Give ​It Right Back, ​their third ​studio album and ​the concluding ​narrative in the ​band’s saga. ​This release comes ​on the ​heels of a ​poignant chapter ​marked by the ​loss of ​their charismatic lead ​singer, Chadwick ​Murray, in 2021. ​Among the ​tracks is “This ​Love,” a ​composition from Chadwick’s ​pen. ​While fate prevented ​him from ​laying down his ​vocals for ​this track, Keite ​Young—celebrated for ​his exquisite rendition ​of “Like ​a Ship” alongside ​Leon Bridges—offers ​a stirring performance ​that honors ​Chadwick’s memory. Further enriching ​the album, ​The Sha La ​Das, known ​for their work ​with Daptone ​Records, lend their ​soulful harmonies ​to the mix. ​Adding another ​layer of auditory ​intrigue, Ghost ​Funk Orchestra, associated ​with Colemine’s ​Karma Chief Records, ​infuse their ​distinctive sound into ​the project. ​With such collaborations, ​Give ​It Right Back promises ​to be ​a fitting tribute ​and a ​continuation of the ​rich legacy ​left by Murray.

Real Bad Man & YUNGMORPHEUS — The Chalice & The Blade (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

In a fresh ​twist on ​the hip-hop scene, ​YUNGMORPHEUS has ​teamed up with ​Real Bad ​Man to deliver ​The Chalice ​and the Blade, ​an album ​featuring 15 tracks. ​This latest ​release  ​showcases YUNGMORPHEUS’s ​unique lyrical skills ​and highlights Real Bad Man’s production expertise. ​The collaboration ​brings together a ​diverse roster ​of talent, including ​Boldy James, ​Blu, Grip, Kool ​Keith, Fatboi ​Sharif, Theravada, and ​dreamcast moe, ​each contributing their ​distinct flair ​to the project. ​These guest ​artists lend their ​voices across ​various tracks, enriching ​the album’s ​dynamic soundscape.

TeaMarrr — You Should Prolly Sit Down for This (R&B) [Listen]

A new voice ​emerges from ​Los Angeles, ​where TeaMarrr, a ​singer and ​songwriter with roots ​in Boston, ​unveils her first ​full-length work, ​You Should Prolly ​Sit Down ​for This. Through Raedio, ​listeners can ​now imbue themselves ​in this ​release, which gives ​an intimate ​portrayal of her ​experiences. With ​13 tracks to ​its credit, ​the album weaves ​a narrative ​tapestry of her ​personal evolution ​and pivotal life ​moments. The ​project offers a candid ​glimpse into TeaMarrr’s ​private sphere. ​It highlights her ​artistic development while ​providing audiences ​with an up-close ​perspective on ​the emotional landscapes ​she covers. ​Her skillful creative ​expression is ​prominently featured across ​the album ​with its sincerity and depth.

Journey Montana — Stargirl (R&B) [Listen]

The R&B scene ​has welcomed ​a new entrant ​whose star ​is rising. Harlem’s ​own Journey Montana ​has unveiled ​her latest work, ​an EP ​titled Stargi, under ​the 10K ​Projects banner. Across ​eight tracks, ​she weaves narratives ​that reflect ​experiences ​of love ​and anguish and broader ​themes of personal ​growth and ​empathy. Montana’s sophomore ​EP is a window into her artistic identity’s core. ​Through her music, ​one can ​discern the makings ​of an ​artist who skillfully ​articulates life’s ​complexities with ​raw emotion ​and grace. Each ​track on ​Stargirl builds upon ​the last, ​culminating in an ​experience that ​lays bare the ​struggles and ​triumphs inherent to human experience.

Bonus: Coast Contra — The Old Way (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

The Los Angeles-based ​quartet Coast ​Contra has infused ​their latest ​release, ​The Old Way, with ​ ​nostalgia that ​bridges the gap ​between the ​past and present ​in hip-hop ​culture. Following their ​initial offering, ​Apt. 505, this ​mixtape stands ​as a crafted ​homage to ​the bedrock laid ​by hip-hop ​pioneers. It’s an ​artful blend ​designed to appeal ​to purists ​who cherish the ​yesteryears’ unvarnished lyricism while still capturing today’s listeners’ attention.

​The Old Way ​takes its ​audience on a ​time-traveling escapade ​to the heyday ​of potent ​bars and storytelling. ​The mixtape ​demonstrates how the ​core elements ​of hip-hop can ​evolve yet ​retain their original ​potency when ​combined with contemporary ​influences. This harmonious fusion ​within ​​The Old Way affirms the ​enduring relevance of ​classic hip-hop ​sounds and narratives ​in modern ​music.