Wednesday Roundups #46: 13 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Wednesday Roundups #46: 13 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Stream last week’s releases from Roc Marciano, Real Bad Man & Lukah, Blu & Shafiq Husayn, Midnight Sons, DJ Muggs & Mooch, Buddy, Z-Ro, Shabazz Palaces, NAHreally & The Expert, and more.
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 Roc Marciano, Real Bad Man & Lukah, Blu & Shafiq Husayn, Midnight Sons, DJ Muggs & Mooch, Buddy, Z-Ro, Shabazz Palaces, NAHreally & The Expert, Body Bag Ben & Vega7 the Ronin, Omarion, Reggie Becton, and Olivia Nelson.
If you’re struggling to keep up with the ever-evolving music scene, subscribing to the Shatter the Standards newsletter is your ticket to staying in the loop. They don’t just skim the surface with mainstream hits; they dive deep, bringing hidden gems right to your inbox weekly.
In today’s rapid-fire release culture, it’s easy to miss out on some real musical gems. Shatter the Standards does the heavy lifting for you, sifting through the latest releases and handpicking the ones that make a mark. Stay ahead of the curve and discover music that steps outside the mainstream box by joining their newsletter.
Roc Marciano: Marciology (Hip-Hop)
Consistency is a hallmark of Roc Marciano’s artistry, and his latest album, Marciology, is no exception. Listeners can expect a generous serving of eerie boom-bap production and sinister bars reminiscent of mid-‘90s New York City. The album’s punchlines are delivered over beats from Alchemist, Animoss, Roc Marciano himself, and others. Marciology features fellow ‘90s devotees Flee Lord, Larry June, Jay Worthy, CRIMEAPPLE, Knowledge the Pirate, T.F., and GREA8GAWD, all contributing to the album’s success. Roc Marciano’s dedication to his craft is evident as he makes every syllable count.
[Listen]
Real Bad Man & Lukah: Temple Needs Water. Village Needs Peace. (Hip-Hop)
A thought-provoking collaboration between producer Real Bad Man and Memphis rapper Lukah, delving into the core of community, spirituality, and transformation. The 15-track album, featuring contributions from billy woods, Adrian Utley (Portishead), and Shabaka Hutchings, explores themes of unity, leadership, sacrifice, and renewal, reflecting on personal and spiritual achievements, the duality of knowledge, unseen forces, and the cyclical nature of life and death. The project celebrates growth, resilience, duty, ancestral wisdom, and the healing power of words, ultimately seeking inner peace and communal harmony.
[Listen]
Blu & Shafiq Husayn: Out of the Blue (Hip-Hop)
Out of the Blue, the long-awaited joint album from emcee Blu and Grammy-winning producer Shafiq Husayn of Sa-Ra Creative Partners, has finally been unveiled. Immersed in Shafiq’s intricate sonic landscapes, the album showcases Blu’s spiritual street talk and delivers bass-heavy L.A. anthems. With Shafiq Husayn at the helm of production (except for one contribution from Dibia$e), the project features an array of guest artists, including MED, Exile, Chuuwee, Thurz, Speed Walton, and Freestyle Fellowship members Myka 9 and Self Jupiter.
[Listen]
Midnight Sons: Money Has No Owners (Hip-Hop)
Midnight Sons have returned with a mature and thoughtful follow-up to their impressive self-titled 2020 debut. Money Has No Owners showcases Zilla Rocca’s introspective lyricism, supported by Chong Wizard’s production’s warm and soulful foundation. The album features regular Zilla Rocca collaborators, such as PremRock and Curly Castro, alongside various voices, including Blu, AJ Suede, Midaz The Beast, and Defcee. The title track sets the tone, emphasizing the necessity of constant hustle in pursuing success—a sentiment that resonates with anyone who has ever chased a dream.
[Listen]
DJ Muggs & Mooch: ROC STAR (Hip-Hop)
In his latest collaboration with DJ Muggs, titled ROC STAR, Mooch showcases his lyrical prowess and cements his position as a top dog in the rap game. Muggs’ production shines throughout the album, providing a more consistent backdrop than some of Mooch’s recent output. Mooch’s lyricism is at its strongest in years, and the well-curated features complement the project perfectly.
[Listen]
Buddy: Don’t Forget to Breathe (Hip-Hop)
Compton rapper Buddy returns with his highly anticipated album, Don’t Forget to Breathe. Preceded by the singles “Free My Mind,” “You 2 Thank,” and “Like This,” the 12-track project showcases Buddy’s versatility and growth as an artist. The album features standout tracks such as “Buddy a Fool,” “Smoke,” “Move On,” “Got Me Started,” and “All the Way.” Kent Jamz and BJ the Chicago Kid lend their talents to “Talk About It,” while Smino and Cedxric contribute to “Should’ve Known.” The project also includes collaborations with pineappleCITI and Huey Briss, further demonstrating Buddy’s ability to work with diverse artists.
[Listen]
Z-Ro: The Ghetto Gospel (Hip-Hop)
After teasing the project since 2019, Texas veteran Z-Ro delivered his long-awaited album, The Ghetto Gospel. Produced by regular collaborators Beanz & Kornbread, the album features 16 songs and guest appearances from notable artists such as Lil Keke, Paul Wall, and Mýa. Fans who had been eagerly anticipating the release can now immerse themselves in Z-Ro’s signature sound and storytelling as he continues to showcase his enduring presence in the Texas hip-hop scene.
[Listen]
Shabazz Palaces: Exotic Birds of Prey (Hip-Hop)
Shabazz Palaces remains in a league with Exotic Birds of Prey, his second mini-album in five months. The project finds Shabazz creating futuristic, otherworldly rap music that barely engages with earthly concerns or contemporary rap trends. Exotic Birds of Prey has a different mood than its predecessor, Robed In Rareness, with Shabazz leader Ishmael Butler often ceding the spotlight to the album’s numerous guests, some of whom have enigmatic identities. The instrumentals push the boundaries of Shabazz Palaces’ signature sound, occasionally blurring the lines between experimental electronic music and rap.
[Listen]
NAHreally & The Expert: BLIP (Hip-Hop)
NAHreally has been steadily honing his craft with each annual release, and his latest collaboration with producer The Expert is no exception. NAHreally’s witty and well-spoken raps, filled with folksy wisdom and wry observations, find the perfect complement in The Expert’s colorful and vivid sonic fabrics. The result is a dynamic and inviting album that draws the listener into its trippy sonic universe, exuding a lived-in quality that suggests a long-standing collaboration between the two artists. The Expert’s airy beats provide an ideal backdrop for NAHreally’s thoughtful observations, allowing the rapper’s flow to weave effortlessly through the heavily melodic beats.
[Listen]
Body Bag Ben & Vega7 the Ronin: Kawasaki Killers (Hip-Hop)
Body Bag Ben has crafted a signature sound that seamlessly blends the eerie side of West Coast funk with classic New York boom bap. His thick, organic drums and versatile flows are on full display in Kawasaki Killers, a collaborative effort with Vega7 The Ronin, who recently released the impressive 2023 Sleep Is the Cousin project. With Body Bag Ben responsible for the entire soundscape and Vega7 unleashing a barrage of rigid bars and vivid imagery, Kawasaki Killers emerges as a top-tier underground release, showcasing the potent chemistry between these talented artists.
[Listen]
Omarion: SexSonics - EP (R&B)
Omarion has delivered a new EP titled SexSonics, which masterfully bridges the gap between the genre’s past and future. This grown R&B record eschews the raunchy and surface-level intimacy often associated with contemporary projects, instead opting for a more profound and emotionally resonant approach. SexSonics harkens back to a time when music could be seamlessly integrated into the bedroom experience, facilitating a deeper connection between lovers.
[Listen]
Reggie Becton: Sadboy, Vol. 2 - EP (R&B)
Hailing from Fort Washington, Maryland, and having attended school in Washington, D.C., Reggie Becton’s close-knit family exposed him to various musical genres during his upbringing. This eclectic musical palette shines brightly on his latest EP, Sadboy, Vol. 2. With R&B at its core, Becton skillfully blends multiple R&B elements and other stylings to create a multidimensional world where he fearlessly explores and unpacks the depths of sadness as it relates to love. Rather than shying away from uncomfortable situations, Becton embraces them, allowing his music to thrive in adversity.
[Listen]
Olivia Nelson: Wings (R&B)
Born to a first-generation immigrant mother from the island of St. Vincent, Olivia Nelson’s musical upbringing was an eclectic mix of contemporary R&B and Motown classics. This diverse background has undoubtedly influenced her latest offering, Wings, a charming release that showcases Nelson’s unique artistic vision and her ability to blend various musical influences into a cohesive and compelling body of work.
[Listen]