August 2024 Roundups: The Best Albums of the Month

Featuring Meshell Ndegeocello, Ka, and Milton Nascimento & esperanza spalding, here are the best albums that came out in August of 2024.

In an era flooded with music releases, especially with the growing prevalence of surprise drops, comprehensively tracking new songs can be daunting. To help everyone stay up-to-date, we’ve gathered the ten albums that impressed us the most in August 2024. Naturally, we might have overlooked some exceptional August releases or haven’t had sufficient time to enjoy them fully. Which albums did you enjoy most last month? Please share with us in the comments section and continue reading our list.

Meshell Ndegeocello: No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin

Just a year after Meshell Ndegeocello’s album The Omnichord Real Book and four months since The Magic City, created in tribute to the Sun Ra Arkestra, her new work No More Water is here. This album coincides with the centennial of its subject—the great writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin. Baldwin’s book The Fire Next Time profoundly impacted Ndegeocello’s understanding of racism, classism, and their effects on her family. Inspired by this work, she conceived this piece, presenting it as a pan-African church ceremony, blending performances by instrumentalists, singers, and orators. The album constantly shifts in structure and sound. Songs unfold slowly or intensify unexpectedly, quickly moving into compositions or changing direction, interspersed with spoken interludes and asides while maintaining a sense of fluidity. Beyond funk and folk elements, the album incorporates 21st-century jazz and soul and aspects of soukous, samba, dub, and art rock.

Ka: The Thief Next to Jesus

Ka transitioned from being part of Natural Elements to becoming one of underground rap’s most consistent solo artists since the late 2000s/2010s. His newest album, The Thief Next to Jesus, continues to captivate listeners just as his previous works have done over the last fifteen years. Themes of religion dominate this album as they did in 2020’s Descendants of Cain, examining its relationship with race and liberty. Favoring subdued narratives over catchy choruses remains Ka’s hallmark style. However, this album’s use of soul, gospel, and blues samples brings an immediate melodic appeal that differentiates it from his other recent albums. Every Ka project presents a darkly alluring exterior with intricate layers that only become apparent after several listens. The dedication required to uncover these layers is always justified.

Milton Nascimento & esperanza spalding: Milton + esperanza

A friendship sparked nearly 15 years ago has blossomed into a musical partnership, culminating in Milton + esperanza. This album, recorded in Brazil throughout last year, brings together two exceptional talents: Milton Nascimento and esperanza spalding. Sixteen tracks comprise this collection, reimagining five of Nascimento’s beloved classics, and the rest are original compositions by spalding. Their collaboration shines through in exquisite duets that showcase their iconic voices and masterful musicianship. A central theme appears in this project: the importance of intergenerational creativity, learning, and world-building. The album’s tracks celebrate the rich musical heritage of Brazil while venturing into diverse musical territories. spalding’s original compositions sit alongside reimagined classics, creating a harmonious blend of old and new.

Syleena Johnson: Legacy

The road to this album has been challenging, with Syleena Johnson balancing the demands of being an R&B star and a devoted mother. Legacy pays homage to her late father, Syl Johnson, by combining their vocals across 16 tracks that explore the music industry’s impact, the timeless appeal of soul, and Chicago’s influential music scene. Johnson meticulously crafted Legacy as a tribute, setting their vocal tones and styles in conversation. The album features Twista and Shawna appearances and fresh interpretations of Syl Johnson classics with “Different Strokes.” As she stated that this effort is her last, Legacy serves as a daughter’s gift to her father and an artist’s tribute to the sounds that inspire her.

Mavi: Shadowbox

With Shadowbox, Mavi delivers his most candid and intimate album to date, offering a level of vulnerability that stands out in the current musical landscape. Throughout the record, Mavi fearlessly confronts personal struggles, including the loss of a loved one, a romantic breakup, mental health challenges, alcoholism, and familial issues. His lyrics eschew clichés in favor of raw, unfiltered honesty. Mavi’s expressive delivery imbues his raps with a subtle melodic quality, ensuring that the anguish in his voice remains consistently tangible. Opting to handle all the rapping himself, he collaborates with a single guest singer, Malaya, on the track “Open Waters.” The album’s diverse sonic backdrops, crafted by a range of producers, encompass a spectrum of styles, from jazz-influenced and dance-inspired to orchestral, hard-hitting boom bap and glitched-out euphoria. Whether Shadowbox is considered Mavi’s finest work to date or not, it undeniably represents his most sonically expansive and emotionally devastating release thus far.

Heems: Veena

Originally focused on creating an album called Veena—also the name of his new label/lifestyle brand/digital magazine—Heems enlisted producer Lapgan (Gaurav Nagpal) for contributions. Their teamwork led them to create an entire project together instead. Released in February, Heems made his comeback with Lafandar, the first solo effort in nearly a decade since his days with Das Racist and Swet Shop Boys. Six months later, Heems unveiled the long-promised Veena, produced by Sid Vashi. The album ranges from dynamic rap beats. Adding depth are voicemail skits from notable South Asian figures like Riz Ahmed, Mr. Cheeks (of Lost Boyz), Tony Kanal (of No Doubt), Hasan Minhaj, Yo Yo Honey Singh, among others; many were actual messages sent to Heems. Veena aims to address various traumas—generational and familial—as stated in a press release. The album features some of Heems’ most introspective work yet retains his characteristic humor.

Ravyn Lenae: Bird’s Eye

From the opening track “Genius,” Ravyn Lenae makes it clear that her eagerly awaited sophomore album Bird’s Eye is not a mere rehash of its 2022 acclaimed predecessor, Hypnos. While the ethereal R&B and IDM-influenced electronic elements that characterized her debut LP remain present on Bird’s Eye, the album also incorporates vintage reggae (“Candy”), a country-tinged closer (“Days”), and more assertive tracks that harken back to the era of Y2K R&B with “Love Me Not” and “1 of 1.” Comparisons to the genre-bending R&B of Ravyn’s former touring partner SZA are apt, as Bird’s Eye showcases Ravyn’s growth and demonstrates her ability showcase her vocals with the help of DJ Dahi. Although the familiarity of certain moments in Bird’s Eye is comforting, the unexpected and daring choices make this album one of the year’s best.

Navy Blue: Memoirs In Armour

In Navy Blue’s album Ways of Knowing, released last year, we no longer feel like we’re eavesdropping on secrets. Navy Blue presents a mature self, his music full of the imprints of growth. Although Navy Blue’s fourth album carries existential baggage, it remains a cornerstone in his musical journey, showing us how he transcends simple rap styles. After being dropped by Def Jam Recordings, Memoirs In Armour, Navy Blue's first album is more pure and even more touching. Navy Blue’s voice is elevated in this minimalist album as he returns to the starting point of his early career, back to the simple space where he found his footing. Despite the simplicity of the musical style, his lyrics are powerful enough to fill an entire room, and the excellent producers chose to take a back seat in this album, leaving the stage for this resolute musical poet.

Killer Mike: Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival, Songs for Sinners and Saints

Killer Mike brings his autobiographical Michael era to a brilliant close with his latest project, Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival, Songs for Sinners and Saints. While the title might be a mouthful, the content is inviting, offering a wealth of wonderful music to explore. As a rapper, Mike’s skills are top-tier, and this album showcases them to their fullest extent. His recent work demonstrates vibrant creativity: his solo album Michael garnered multiple Grammy wins, while “97 3-6 Freestyle” was filled with arena-like energy. Unsurprisingly, the title “Higher Level” is fitting, as it witnesses Mike effortlessly surpassing his peers. Even the crisp finale, “Still Talk’n That Shit,” hints at a new direction with Key Glock and Memphis legend Project Pat—an enticing prospect given the extraordinary creativity displayed throughout this album. As a tribute to an engaging figure in American music, Mike’s Songs of Saints & Sinners is an album that demands attention. He is a central figure in his hometown of Atlanta, with his cultural influence closely tied to the city’s temperature.

Rae Khalil: Crybaby

Under Anderson .Paak’s mentorship, Rae Khalil presents her debut album Crybaby. This project highlights her artistic growth through collaborations with Freddie Gibbs, Tiana Major9, and Benny Sings. Originating from Southern California, this artist quickly climbed the ranks following her notable appearance on Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow in 2019. She maintained her upward trajectory with the release of the FORTHEWORLD project four years ago. Her efforts culminated in a Grammy win for her role in Anderson .Paak’s “Lockdown” clinched Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021. Khalil blends jazz, soul, punk, and rock influences creatively yet coherently. The album’s first single, “Is It Worth It,” crafted alongside Alissia Benveniste, exudes empowerment through smooth vocals layered over atmospheric sounds. On the other hand, “Carpinteria” brings a laid-back neo-soul vibe that suits reflective moments perfectly.

Bonus: Doechii: Alligator Bites Never Heal

The self-proclaimed “Swamp Princess” from Florida has crafted an impressive full-length debut with Alligator Bites Never Heal. As Top Dawg Entertainment’s first woman MC, Doechii quickly gained a broad audience with the infectious hits “Persuasive” and “What It Is (Block Boy)” right after Kendrick Lamar departed from the label. Rather than being overshadowed by Lamar’s legacy, Doechii has established herself as a unique artist with immense technical skill and curatorial prowess, seamlessly navigating through various genres such as gritty boom-bap, sensual electronic, dance music, Miami jook, and earnest soul. Throughout the tape, Doechii confronts the expectations of her label, expressing frustration with their constant pressure and push towards “TikTok music.” However, she also shows reverence for her label, which may lead to even greater success in the future.

Bonus: Eric Benét: Duets (EP)

Eric Benét has made his long-awaited return with the release of his EP, Duets, a collection of five well-made tracks featuring collaborations with some of R&B’s most acclaimed women vocalists. The EP showcases Benét’s smooth vocals and undeniable chemistry with his duet partners, including Chanté Moore, Corinne Bailey Rae, LaTocha, Ledisi, and Tamar Braxton. The EP opens with the mesmerizing “So Distracted,” a collaboration with Chanté Moore that delves into the consuming nature of newfound love, while “Right Time” featuring Ledisi captures the thrill of falling deeply for someone. In an exclusive interview with Rated R&B, Benét revealed that Duets is just the beginning of his musical resurgence, with a full-length album set to follow next year that will incorporate multiple genres while maintaining R&B at its core.