Wednesday Roundups #56: 17 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Wednesday Roundups #56: 17 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Stream releases from KAYTRANADA, Luther, ESTA, ShrapKnel, Aloe Blacc, Robert Glasper, Smokie Norful, The Macrotones, Yelawolf, Open Mike Eagle, Pip Millett, Saint Levant, Mitchy Slick, 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 KAYTRANADA, Luther, ESTA, ShrapKnel, Aloe Blacc, Robert Gasper, Smokie Norful, The Macrotones, Yelawolf, Open Mike Eagle, Pip Millett, Saint Levant, Mitchy Slick, Aladean Kheroufi, Nduduzo Makhathini, Concurrence, and Numbz & Furious Stylez.
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.
KAYTRANADA: Timeless (Dance)
The dance music scene has witnessed the unveiling of KAYTRANADA’s third album, Timeless, a project that spans 21 tracks and is adorned with collaborations from a variety of artists, including Childish Gambino, Anderson .Paak, SiR, Dawn Richard, Tinashe, Ravyn Lenae, Durand Bernarr, Rochelle Jordan, and others. Notably, Rochelle Jordan lends her voice to the album’s standout single, “Lover / Friend,” and also graces the second track, “Spit It Out.” This recent work integrates contributions from Charlotte Day Wilson, Tinashe, SiR, and Durand Bernarr, along with special appearances by such luminaries as Pharrell Williams, Estelle, Teedra Moses, and Kali Uchis.
[Listen]
Luther: This Close to You (R&B)
After making waves with his debut, Luther Vandross continued to cement his place in the industry with This Close to You, released with the American singing collective Luther on March 23, 1977. This sophomore album accentuates his remarkable talents as a lead singer, writer, and producer, blending soul-stirring melodies with heartfelt lyrics, which has etched Vandross’s name in the hearts of both fans and critics, skyrocketing his fame.
[Listen]
ESTA: Francis (R&B)
ESTA, another prominent DJ and producer, introduced his debut offering, Francis, a compilation that enlists the talents of burgeoning stars in the R&B genre, including Kenyon Dixon, Leon Thomas, Joyce Wrice, Arin Ray, Phabo, and others. Despite featuring 12 unique artists, the album flows seamlessly, creating an overall experience that encourages listeners to enjoy it from start to finish without skipping.
[Listen]
ShrapKnel: Nobody Planning to Leave (Hip-Hop)
The proficient duo of PremRock & Curly Castro, ShrapKnel, has launched their third album Nobody Planning to Leave. The album is a product of synergy with Bay Area’s Controller 7, a producer celebrated for his collaborations with celebrated artists like Open Mike Eagle, Hemlock Ernst, Sage Francis, Buck 65, Mestizo, and Defcee.
[Listen]
Aloe Blacc: Rock My Soul: Volume I (Soul)
Aloe Blacc has embarked on his newest venture, Rock My Soul, a two-part EP series that reinvents cherished ’90s alt-rock anthems with Blacc’s distinct soulful twist. The first installment, Volume 1, features Blacc showcasing his unique ability to refresh and revitalize classic hits.
[Listen]
Robert Glasper: Let Go (Jazz)
Let Go represents Robert Glasper’s first project with an explicitly meditative focus (and second Apple Music exclusive release), yet it is not his initial foray into altruistic creativity. Glasper reveals that his previous major release, 2022’s Black Radio III, was specifically crafted to elevate some of his most cherished vocal talents. This endeavor resulted in collaborations with esteemed artists such as Q-Tip, Meshell Ndegeocello, Gregory Porter, Killer Mike, and Esperanza Spalding, who span the diverse realms of jazz, hip-hop, and R&B—genres across which Glasper seamlessly navigates.
[Listen]
Smokie Norful: I Still Have You (Gospel)
After a significant pause, Pastor Smokie Norful returns to the scene with a highly anticipated new collection of music. His latest work, titled I Still Have You, marks his seventh studio production and first release after nearly ten years. During an exclusive gathering for this release, Pastor Norful shared insights into his extended break and the driving force behind his comeback, emphasizing this album’s depth of connection and meaning.
[Listen]
The Macrotones: From the Void (Soul)
On another front, The Macrotones, a band initially known for their instrumental focus, recently navigated through unpredictable challenges to finalize their album (From the Void), a process strikingly disrupted by the global pandemic. This interruption came at a time of transformation for the group, as Phil Desisto had just been welcomed as the lead vocalist, positioning the band’s sound in a new direction after over a decade. Despite the sporadic progression due to the pandemic, after four years of determined effort, the album was completed. It embodies a refreshed dedication to their music, offering tracks that promise to light up spirits and draw listeners into a shared experience of joy.
[Listen]
Yelawolf: War Story (Hip-Hop)
Following much anticipation and prior hints, Yelawolf has finally dropped his eagerly awaited double LP, split into two parts: War Story—Michael Wayne (Part 1) and Trunk Muzik 4ever (Part 2). The Michael Wayne production was led by Grammy Award-winning Malay, with WLPWR taking the helm for Trunk Muzik 4ever. The albums are graced with the presence of several notable guests, such as Killer Mike, Jelly Roll, Caskey, and Struggle Jennings, adding significant depth and variety to the project.
[Listen]
Open Mike Eagle: Sir Rockabye - EP (Hip-Hop)
One of our top 25 MCs in the game, Open Mike Eagle, has released his Sir Rockabye EP. Featuring five songs with production from Quelle Chris and Ernest Gonales, this short effort features guests like Busdriver and Has-Lo.
[Listen]
Pip Millett: Tell Jimmy I’m Fine - EP (R&B)
Manchester’s own Pip Millett continues the narrative she began in her Tell Jimmy EP with its follow-up, Tell Jimmy I’m Fine. This sequel consists of seven heartfelt tracks that maintain the charisma an’s charisma and deep emotional engagement. Through Tell Jimmy I’m Fine, Millett provides a vivid account of her experiences and feelings following the events laid out in Tell Jimmy, effectively keeping listeners engaged and emotionally invested in her storytelling.
[Listen]
Saint Levant: Deira (Worldwide)
With his latest EP, Deira, US-based singer Saint Levant, who grew up in Gaza, reflects on his career growth against the backdrop of his hometown’s destruction. Unlike his previous work, From Gaza, With Love, which explored love affairs through Middle Eastern melodies, Deira is filled with defiance, hope, and guilt. These feelings permeate his upbeat songs sung in English, Arabic, and French while also celebrating his diverse heritage.
[Listen]
Mitchy Slick: Selective Politicin (Hip-Hop)
Coming from Southeast San Diego, California, Mitchy Slick, a member of the rap supergroup Strong Arm Steady, has dropped his latest album, Selective Politicin. A must-listen for West Coast rap fans, the album also appeals to rap enthusiasts globally with its top-notch hip-hop beats and insightful street lyrics. Since his debut album, Trigeration Station, in 2021, Mitchy Slick has continued to release solo albums, further solidifying his place in the rap scene.
[Listen]
Aladean Kheroufi: Studies In a Dying Love (Soul)
Hailing from Algeria and now based in Edmonton, Alberta, Aladean Kheroufi is a multi-talented artist known for his unique and soulful music. Like his latest album, Studies In a Dying Love, his songs are deeply personal and melancholic yet carry an optimistic undertone. Kheroufi has a knack for transforming heartbreak into upbeat, melancholy anthems, showcasing his distinctive approach to songwriting and music production.
[Listen]
Nduduzo Makhathini: uNomkhubulwane (Jazz)
Nduduzo Makhathini transcends conventional paradigms of music-making to deliver his most profound exploration of creative mysticism with his eleventh studio album, uNomkhubulwane. This remarkable record, the third to be released under the Blue Note Records label following 2020’s Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds and 2022’s In the Spirit of Ntu, showcases Makhathini’s expansive vision. The album is a transcendent three-movement suite dedicated to the Zulu Goddess uNomkhubulwane, delving into Africa’s harrowing history of oppression. Featuring Makhathini’s trio, with Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere on bass and Francisco Mela on drums, the music serves as both an offering and an invitation for humanity to embrace ways of being that aspire towards freedom and equilibrium.
[Listen]
Concurrence: Indivisible (Jazz)
For over two decades, Paul Horton and Greg Bryant, known as Concurrence, have collaborated, producing improvised music that appeals to hardcore jazz enthusiasts and fans of other genres. Their latest release, Indivisible, is a comprehensive 22-track album noted as their boldest and finest musical statement to date.
[Listen]
Numbz & Furious Stylez: Art Imitates Life (Hip-Hop)
When discussing rapper and producer duo in the game, you must mention Numbz and Furious Stylez. They released another project, Art Imitates Life, with eight new songs featuring Bub Rock, Thought Provokah, Skyzoo, and IAMGAWD.
[Listen]