Wednesday Roundups #14: 12 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Stream releases from billy woods & Kenny Segal, Atmosphere, Durand Jones, Q, Conway the Machine, Emily King, Saint Harison, Jidenna, Victory, 79.5, JONES, and Reggie Becton.
Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!
The fourteenth outing of Wednesday Roundups returns.
It might be challenging to prioritize your music listening when so much new music is available. Shatter the Standards provide a weekly summary of newsworthy releases on streaming platforms. billy woods & Kenny Segal, Atmosphere, Durand Jones, Q, Conway the Machine, Emily King, Saint Harison, Jidenna, Victory, 79.5, JONES, and Reggie Becton were among the artists with new albums or projects last week. Watch for weekly music drops every Wednesday for suggestions of lesser-known albums.
Here are your roundups for today!
billy woods & Kenny Segal — Maps (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Maps is the latest release from New York rapper billy woods and Los Angeles producer Kenny Segal. Centered around the theme of touring, the album boasts an impressive lineup of featured artists, including Danny Brown, Elucid (of Armand Hammer), Samuel T. Herring (of Future Islands), Shabaka Hutchings, Quelle Chris, Aesop Rock, Benjamin Booker, and Shrapknel.
Atmosphere — So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
The hip-hop duo Atmosphere's latest album, So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously, starts off with the seasoned rapper Slug and skilled producer Ant employing a more subdued touch. Unlike their recent records, which highlighted life's most meaningful aspects like family, brotherhood, and purpose, this album digs deep into the undercurrent of paranoia that intertwines with the general unease of a society weary from the pandemic and civil unrest.
Durand Jones — Wait Til I Get Over (R&B) [Listen]
Wait Til I Get Over pays tribute to Durand Jones's hometown of Hillaryville, Louisiana, serving a diverse palette of Southern and Black musical flavors. The debut solo album features a fusion of raw, Delta-infused rhythms, uplifting church spirituals, and heartfelt spoken word.
Q — Soul,PRESENT (R&B) [Listen]
Q Marsden captivates audiences with his powerful falsetto and vibrant storytelling. His debut album, Soul,PRESENT, released through Columbia Records and Sony Music Australia, delights listeners with ten tracks that explore the synth-heavy sounds of the '80s, complemented by horns, keys, and other elements blended into a rich synth bass.
Conway the Machine — Won’t He Do It (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Conway the Machine, who made his Shady and Interscope debut with God Don’t Make Mistakes last year, returns with Won’t He Do It. The album, which follows a collaboration with Jae Skeese earlier this year, features notable artists like Westside Gunn, Ransom, Dave East, Jae Skeese, Juicy J, and Sauce Walka.
Emily King — Special Occasion (R&B) [Listen]
Emily King possesses an almost mystical ability to delve into life's profound griefs and unearths surprising beauty and enlightening truths. Her latest album, Special Occasion, the first in four years and the successor to her multiple GRAMMY-nominated release Scenery, offers an in-the-moment journey through the boundless facets of heartbreak. It delivers a deeply personal and captivating glimpse into how we love, mourn, and gradually find our way to a deeper understanding of ourselves.
Saint Harison — lost a friend - EP (R&B) [Listen]
Rising R&B and Neo-Soul artist Saint Harrison presents his debut EP, lost a friend, via Tell Your Friends. The seven-track release showcases his remarkable vocal range, falsetto, and introspective, relatable lyricism.
Jidenna — ME YOU & GOD (R&B) [Listen]
Jidenna, the Nigerian-American artist, marks his return with a new full-length album, ME YOU & GOD. This album is Jidenna's first in four years, following 85 to Africa, released in 2019. His music spans across Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and R&B, and this latest release stays true to his previous work, with a substantial focus on R&B.
Victory — Glory Hour (Gospel) [Listen]
Victory, who made waves with her major label debut album, The Broken Instrument, in 2018, continues to break new ground with her sophomore LP, Glory Hour. The 18-track album demonstrates the power of her evolved songwriting technique.
79.5 — 79.5 (R&B) [Listen]
79.5 comprises singer-songwriter-composer Kate Mattison, singer-rapper Lola Adanna, drummer Caito Sanchez (Charles Bradley, Lee Fields), bassist Andrew Raposo (Midnight Magic, Hess Is More), and saxophonist-flautist Izaak Mills. Their self-titled album offers an eclectic mix of sounds, ranging from underground 70's disco to acid jazz to pop.
JONES — Magic in My Head - EP (R&B) [Listen]
UK artist Cherie Jones-Mattis aka JONES, unveils her seventh EP, Magic in My Head, featuring her latest singles, "Razor Blades" and "Hard to Be Happy.” "Dimensions" stands out among the new tracks. Cherie first emerged in 2015 with the EP Indulge and has since released a full album, New Skin, in 2016.
Reggie Becton — Sadboy, Vol. 1 (R&B) [Listen]
With his first release in two years, Maryland native Reggie Becton delivers 12 introspective tracks on Sadboy, Vol. 1. Becton showcases his vocals, songwriting, and production growth, resulting in a relatable and cohesive project that signals his potential for a long-lasting career in the industry.