Wednesday Roundups #36: 8 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Wednesday Roundups #36: 8 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Stream last week’s releases from Keyon Harrold, Brittney Spencer, Hus KingPin & 9th Wonder, DESTIN CONRAD, UMI, Kyle Dion, Amahla and Omoghéné.
Welcome back to another issue of Wednesday Roundups!
Diving into the world of music can be overwhelming with the constant influx of albums. That’s where Shatter the Standards steps in, making your musical navigation easier every Wednesday. They slice through the noise, bringing you a curated list of noteworthy new drops accessible on streaming platforms. Just last week, they spotlighted fresh beats from a diverse lineup, including Keyon Harrold, Brittney Spencer, Hus KingPin & 9th Wonder, DESTIN CONRAD, UMI, Kyle Dion, Amahla and Omoghéné.
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Keyon Harrold: Foreverland (Jazz)
Keyon Harrold’s latest album materializes as a unique blend of musical styles, continuing the trend from his 2017 album, The Mugician. Unlike the earlier album, which fused jazz, hip-hop, and R&B, Foreverland leans more into balladry and delves into the complexities of romantic relationships. Harrold’s choice of collaborators enhances the album’s appeal, each contributing seamlessly to the overall sound. Harrold’s trumpet skills, already well-known from his work on Grammy-winning records and his portrayal in Don Cheadle’s Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead, are the standout feature of this album. His ability to consistently produce top-tier albums under his name, showcasing his incredible skill with the trumpet, is evident once again in this latest offering.
[Listen]
Brittney Spencer: My Stupid Life (Country)
Brittney Spencer spent her first ten years in the city, submerging herself in its music scene. She performed for pedestrians on the streets, lent her voice as a backup singer for Carrie Underwood, and made her mark with thought-provoking songwriting within Nashville’s Christian worship music community. Despite these efforts, her potential stardom remained unproven until the release of My Stupid Life. This debut country album initially struggles to find its rhythm but eventually takes flight, particularly during a remarkable five-song sequence. This stretch, starting with the empowering “The Last Time” and concluding with the emotionally charged “If You Say So,” is arguably one of the most impressive in recent country music history.
[Listen]
Hus KingPin & 9th Wonder: The SuperGoat (Hip-Hop/Rap)
Recently, the underground hip-hop world has been treated to an exciting collaboration: The SuperGoat, a joint venture between Hus KingPin, a Brooklyn-based rapper, and 9th Wonder, a producer hailing from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This album represents Hus KingPin’s tenth output in under a year and their first full-length project together. Their chemistry is evident throughout the album, with Hus delivering his verses effortlessly over a blend of boom-bap and jazzy beats. Key tracks that really showcase their combined talent include “King Is Born” featuring Rosco P. Coldchain, the head-nodding title track “The Waviest,” and the thought-provoking “Famous Poet.”
[Listen]
DESTIN CONRARD: SUBMISSIVE2 (R&B)
In this 9-track EP from DESTIN CONRAD, the melodies have a subtle yet persistent allure, drawing you in with each listen. This allure is amplified by the presence of Alex Isley, whose star quality adds an extra dimension to “SAME MISTAKE.” The EP, SUBMISSIVE2, is a blend of sweet performances showcasing some of the most influential voices in the genre. It includes standout songs like “IT’S ONLY YOU” and “LIFE BEEN LIFIN,’” which mark high points in Conrad’s career and contribute to the EP’s impact.
[Listen]
UMI: talking to the wind - EP (R&B)
Meanwhile, UMI, another rising star in the singer-songwriter sphere, has independently brought out her new EP, talking to the wind. This airy, four-track collection, both written and produced by UMI in collaboration with V-Ron, includes familiar songs like “why dont we go” and “happy im.” What’s particularly notable about this EP is the absence of “wherever u r,” a track featuring V of BTS that UMI released in late December. However, the EP does introduce listeners to new offerings such as “not necessarily” and “SHOW ME OUT.”
[Listen]
Kyle Dion: If My Jeans Could Talk (R&B)
Kyle Dion recently released his new project, If My Jeans Could Talk. This eight-song EP features tracks like “Boyfriend Jeans,” “Let’s Get It On,” and “Hang Me Out to Dry,” which have already caught the attention of his fans. Dion’s EP delves into universal themes such as love, joy, sexuality, and heartbreak, inviting listeners to connect deeply with his music.
[Listen]
Amahla: Enough: The Collection (R&B)
Meanwhile, Amahla, hailing from Hackney, brings a unique perspective to the British soul music scene. In her compilation, Enough: The Collection, she combines somber tones with powerful, introspective lyrics. This collection, marked by its maturity and inspiration, delves into the experience of the Atlantic Black diaspora. Amahla’s music bridges the cultural gap between Black British and African American communities, offering a poignant exploration of their shared emotional experiences.
[Listen]
Omoghéné: Love Is a Symphony (R&B)
Shifting focus to Omoghéné, we see an artist who discovered her musical voice in her formative years. Inspired by iconic artists like Ms. Lauryn Hill, India Arie, and gospel sensation Kirk Franklin, Omoghéné began her musical exploration at seven, singing in the seclusion of her own room. Her recent EP, Love Is a Symphony, is the culmination of a three-year journey from concept to creation. Omoghéné reflects poetically on her growth, her evolving connection with her fans, and the importance of infusing personal passions into her music to reach a broader audience.
[Listen]