Wednesday Roundups #54: 20 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Wednesday Roundups #54: 20 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Stream releases from Vince Staples, RM, Lenny Kravitz, Sango, Machinedrum, Loyle Carner, BADBADNOTGOOD, Cosmo’s Midnight, Hendrix Harris, Lulu., Lew, Ruti, Liza, Clay, Sean Khan, Alex Banin, 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 Vince Staples, RM, Lenny Kravitz, Sango, Machinedrum, Loyle Carner, BADBADNOTGOOD, Cosmo’s Midnight, Hendrix Harris, Lulu., Lew, Ruti, Liza, Clay, Sean Khan, Alex Banin, Halima, Blimes, Griffen & Custom Made, and Myeye & JUICEB☮X.
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.
Vince Staples: Dark Times (Hip-Hop)
Vince Staples went back to his roots on Dark Times, his last album with Def Jam Recordings, the company that helped him get started. His new music is very similar to his 2021 self-titled album, with songs like “Black&Blue,” “Children’s Song,” and “Shame on the Devil” that show off his thoughtful lyrics and laid-back music. But there are also some bangers like “Étouffée,” “Radio,” and “Little Homies.”
[Listen]
RM: Right Place, Wrong Person (K-Pop)
RM from the famous K-pop group BTS released his second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person. It comes after his first solo album, Indigo, which came out in December 2022. This new album is different from his other work. It’s about feeling out of place, something many people can relate to. The album was made while RM was thinking about himself as both a BTS member and as Kim Namjoon, his real name. It looks at what it’s like to have two identities and how that changed his worldview.
[Listen]
Lenny Kravitz: Blue Electric Light (Rock)
Taking a break from the political messages of his 2018 album Raise Vibration, Lenny Kravitz is back with a lighter, more fun album, Blue Electric Light. Six years in the making, Kravitz recorded the album with longtime songwriting partner Craig Ross on his island home of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.
[Listen]
Sango: North, Vol. 2 (R&B/Hip-Hop)
Sango is a musician with many styles. He has the Da Rocinha series, which is primarily tropical music, and tapes, which he produces for others. Then there’s the North series, where he mixes both styles. North, Vol. 1 mixed Sango’s skills with many rappers and singers. North, Vol. 2 does the same but with new sounds. These changes make the album sound new but still familiar. The first song has Masego, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter from Jamaica, singing over guitars and 808s, a sound that Sango is known for.
[Listen]
Machinedrum: 3FOR82 (Electronic)
3FOR82 builds on the foundation laid by Machinedrum’s previous work. It incorporates the focus on singers and the genre-blending style of 2020’s A View of U while also revisiting the themes explored in the 2023 EP 4#TRAX. Stewart’s musical palette blends drum & bass, hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and juke, with unexpected shifts and surprises throughout. He collaborates with a variety of vocalists to bring his musical vision to life.
[Listen]
Loyle Carner: Hugo: Reimagined (Live from the Royal Albert Hall) [Hip-Hop]
To celebrate the release of his album 2022 LP, Hugo, Loyle Carner made a special live performance of the album at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2023.
[Listen]
BADBADNOTGOOD: Mid Spiral: Order (Jazz)
BADBADNOTGOOD is really keeping themselves busy. Could this be another installment in their Mid Spiral series? Sign us up! That’s right, BADBADNOTGOOD is back with their third release in just five months. If we compare this EP to Chaos, it feels much more focused and consistent with the overall sound they seem to be going for, making it a more relaxing and enjoyable listen.
[Listen]
Cosmo’s Midnight: Stop Thinking Start Feeling (Pop)
After teasing it for a year, Cosmo’s Midnight released their third studio album, Stop Thinking Start Feeling. Written over three years in Australia, Los Angeles, and London, it follows 2020’s Yesteryear. The album has many guest artists like Tkay Maidza, Forest Claudette, KUČKA, and Franc Moody, showing off Cosmo’s Midnight’s skills as songwriters and producers.
[Listen]
Hendrix Harris: Awakening (R&B)
London-based musician Hendrix Harris draws on a rich blend of cultures. His British, Jamaican, and French heritage, combined with a Cuban upbringing, infuses his music with a vibrant energy that defies easy categorization. Awakening, his latest album, is a genre-bending odyssey that seamlessly blends rap, R&B, soul, hip-hop, and pop into a sound as unique as the artist himself. It marks a fresh start, not just for Harris but for his listeners as well, opening their ears to new sonic possibilities.
[Listen]
Lulu.: Dear Disorientated Soul (Afro-Soul)
Afro-soul artist Lulu released her first EP, Dear Disorientated Soul, through AMF Records. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter from South East London mixes R&B, neo-soul, and pop in her music. The eight-song EP talks about the human experience through soulful melodies and lyrics that make you think. Lulu says the project shows “growing pains born from prayers, struggles, and resilience.”
[Listen]
Lew: Rainman - EP (Hip-Hop)
Lew has released his debut EP on Mass Appeal Records. Residing in Oakland, his music career took off when his catchy track “Way Back When” became super popular online, which really helped him get noticed as an artist. This was a major turning point in his career and helped establish him as a rising star in the music industry.
[Listen]
Ruti: Lungs - EP (R&B)
Ruti began the year strong by starting her Lungs EP campaign. Starting with the catchy “Bubblehouse Bounce (Move As One)” and the powerful ballad “Don’t Make a Sound,” she took us on a journey of unrequited love. The EP’s core, the emotional title track “Lungs,” is complemented by a captivating cover of Tears for Fears’s classic “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” Ruti’s unique vocals, moving string arrangements, and soft acoustic sounds all work together to bring her story of young love and heartbreak to life.
[Listen]
Liza: The Alternate Ending - EP (R&B)
Liza, the up-and-coming Ethiopian-Canadian singer/songwriter, also just released her new EP, The Alternate Ending. Her music mixes R&B and pop, and she writes very honest lyrics about her life. The EP, produced by Liza and Akeel Henry, her usual partner, shows Liza’s impressive singing talent and control.
[Listen]
Clay: Waiting for God In the Garden - EP (Alternative)
Alt-pop artist Clay also released a new EP called Waiting for God in the Garden. This collection of 6 songs is all about dealing with many different feelings and starting the healing process. It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t happen in a straight line and that we often face similar problems as we grow, but we deal with them in new ways as we change.
[Listen]
Sean Khan: Sean Khan Presents The Modern Folk & Jazz Ensemble, Vol. 1 (Jazz)
Led by saxophonist Sean Khan, this album is a modern take on the folk music of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. The album includes covers of songs by artists like Pentangle, Sandy Denny, John Martyn, and Nick Drake, but with a jazz twist. Featured singers include well-known artist Jacqui McShee, the lead singer of Pentangle, Rosie Frater-Taylor, a talented singer-guitarist, and Kindelan, a rising star from the Leeds folk and jazz scene.
[Listen]
Alex Banin: Since Winona - EP (Pop/R&B)
Alex Banin’s music is influenced by artists like Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, and Frank Ocean, but she’s developed her unique sound that feels genuine. She’s always enjoyed singing and writing songs but never thought she was particularly good at it. Now, her Since Winona EP has been featured in our Wednesday Roundups. Besides a few piano lessons when she was younger, Banin is completely self-taught, and we’re excited to see where her career goes from here.
[Listen]
Halima: EXU - EP (R&B)
Halima believes that creating music is a spiritual journey. Her debut EP on the drink sum wtr label, EXU, blends British soul, UK Garage, R&B, and other influences. It explores the ongoing process of self-discovery and growth.
[Listen]
Blimes: The Bridge - EP (Hip-Hop)
Blimes’ new EP, The Bridge, shows that she’s not just a great rapper but also a talented singer. With only seven songs, she manages to create a mix of tough rap and softer, more emotional music. The EP even features collaborations with Atmosphere’s Slug and Dave B.
[Listen]
Griffen & Custom Made: Effortless Pen (Hip-Hop)
Griffen collaborates with a veteran Chicago producer, Custom Made, to deliver his 13th studio album, Effortless Pen. A lyrical showcase set to invigorate the summer.
[Listen]
Myeye & JUICEB☮X: Psyche Dreams (Hip-Hop)
Drawing inspiration from the psychedelic pop band Gold Celeste, singer, songwriter, and rapper JUICEB☮X joined forces with Simen Hallset (Gold Celeste) and Henrik Norbakk (Myeye) to launch their collaborative project, Psyche Gems. It starts with smooth vocals layered over funky, soulful beats, all recorded live and then expertly reworked in the studio. The result is a sound that’s both fresh and familiar. The energy of the music makes you want to move, while the rich beats and unique vocals draw you in. By blending the best of old and new sounds, Psyche Gems paints a colorful picture of life, all set to a beat that will never go out of style.
[Listen]