Wednesday Roundups #34: 6 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Stream releases from eLZhi & Oh No, AZ, CZARFACE, Atmosphere, Raiche, and Conway the Machine & Conductor Williams.
Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!
The thirty-fourth 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. eLZhi & Oh No, AZ, CZARFACE, Atmosphere, Raiche, and Conway the Machine & Conductor Williams 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!
eLZhi & Oh No — Heavy Vibrato [Listen]
The Detroit wordsmith, eLZhi, has been a force in the hip-hop scene for over two decades, leaving his mark with intricate lyrics and an unmistakable style. Emerging from his tenure with Slum Village, eLZhi carved out a successful solo path, collaborating with notable producers such as Black Milk, Will Sessions, Khyrsis, JR Swiftz, and Georgia Anne Muldrow. His latest venture pairs him with Oh No, the renowned California producer known for his skillful manipulation of jazz-infused beats. This partnership has culminated in Heavy Vibrato, an album that has eLZhi’s verbal dexterity and Oh No’s ability to invigorate tracks with fresh jazz samples.
As eLZhi delivers stories with cinematic flair, Oh No crafts a soundscape that underscores each narrative turn. The result is a collection that not only continues eLZhi’s tradition of excellence but also enriches his extensive catalog of high-caliber work. Fans of eLZhi have come to expect nothing less than quality from his releases over the last quarter-century, and Heavy Vibrato promises to be no exception.
AZ — Truth Be Told [Listen]
AZ is making waves with the release of his tenth studio album. Truth Be Told distinguishes itself by featuring the exclusive production talents of Buckwild from the esteemed Diggin’ in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.). This marks AZ’s second album of the decade, and it’s clear he’s aiming to leave a lasting impression. The LP boasts a concise lineup of 11 tracks, four of which have already made their mark as singles prior to the album’s full debut. Truth Be Told sees collaborations with notable artists, including Fat Joe, Pharoahe Monch, and Mumu Fresh, adding layers of lyricism and diversity to the mix.
CZARFACE — CZARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
A new chapter unfolds in the CZARFACE saga with the release of their thrilling project, CZARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. The album is a convergence of classic bravado, reflective narratives, and superhero antics reminiscent of a graphic novel’s allure. Inspectah Deck from Wu-Tang Clan joins forces with Esoteric and 7L to form an alliance that delivers an experience as compelling as any visual adventure. Notable figures such as Logic, Nems, Kool Keith, and Frankie Pulitzer contribute their unique strengths to the ensemble, enhancing the album’s narrative and adding dimension to its already rich soundscape. As CZARFACE continues to blur the lines between music and fantasy, they extend an invitation for audiences to join them on this exploratory voyage through production and rhyme.
Atmosphere — Talk Talk - EP (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
In their most recent release, the Minneapolis icons, through their Talk Talk EP, weave a collection of tracks that reach back to the roots of electro-rap—a genre integral to their formative years. This project sees Slug and Ant seizing a narrative where they reign as influential figures within this vibrant musical tradition.
Raiche — Loveland (R&B) [Listen]
The music scene is witnessing the ascent of Raiche, who has recently unveiled her latest project titled Loveland. Released through GDE/Island Prolific/Atlantic Records, this collection comprises 13 tracks, among which are the earlier released singles “Burn Your Clothes,” “Fool,” “Feelings,” “Big Daddy,” “Late Show,” and “Half & Half.” In a heartfelt admission within the titular song of the album, Raiche reflects on the challenges of transforming life’s more arduous moments into something sweeter and does so with an acknowledgment of the inherent beauty in such resilience.
Conway the Machine & Conductor Williams — CONDUCTOR MACHINE (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Conway the Machine, after his recent projects WON'T HE DO IT and Speshal Machinery with 38 Spesh, is back in the spotlight with a new EP that showcases the production talents of Griselda’s very own Conductor Williams. This latest offering, titled CONDUCTOR MACHINE, sees full production from Williams, further cementing his status as one of today’s most formidable producers. The EP features “Flame,” where Conway teams up with Drumwork Music Group’s early signee, 7xvethegenius. Together, they lay down potent verses over a soulful sample, demonstrating their hardcore lyrical abilities.
Following this collaboration is “Church Fan,” which brings Jae Skeese into the mix. As the first artist to record under the label, Skeese delivers back-and-forth verses infused with spiritual flare alongside his mentor. The album concludes with “Love the Lord,” where the rich vocal samples provide a fitting backdrop for Conway’s self-assured comparison of his rhyme book to a national treasure. With Conductor Williams coming off a notable credit on Drake’s For All the Dogs and Scary Hours 3, this EP solidifies both his and Conway’s reputations for delivering unwavering quality in their music.