Wednesday Roundups #33: 12 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Stream releases from Danny Brown, Terrace Martin & Gallant, Blockhead, Vinnie Paz, Leslie Odom, Jr., Ego Ella May, Colette Lush, Busty and the Bass, Bastards of Soul, and more.
Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!
The thirty-third outing of Wednesday Roundups!
It might be challenging to prioritize your music listening when so much new music is available. Shatter the Standards provides a weekly summary of newsworthy releases on streaming platforms. Danny Brown, Terrace Martin & Gallant, Blockhead, Vinnie Paz, Leslie Odom, Jr., Ego Ella May, Colette Lush, Busty and the Bass, Bastards of Soul, Real Bad Man & YUNGMORPHEUS, TeaMarrr, and Journey Montana were 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!
Danny Brown — Quaranta (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Closing out 2023, Danny Brown presents Quaranta, a significant release marking his first solo album in four years. This album departs from the chaotic energy of March’s SCARING THE HOES with JPEGMAFIA. Quaranta, Italian for “forty,” symbolizes a pivotal moment in Brown’s career, aligning with his age at the time of the album’s conceptualization. He was 40, two years younger than he is now. This release is a nod to his career trajectory, initiated with his 2011 album XXX, released when he turned 30. Quaranta showcases Brown’s evolution as an artist with just 11 distinct and robust songs without any unnecessary tracks. Unlike his previous works, this album exhibits a consistent mood across all songs. Despite this consistency, each track is unique, ensuring the album always feels varied. The individuality of each song contributes to the album’s overall depth, demonstrating Brown’s refined focus and artistic growth.
Terrace Martin & Gallant — sneek (R&B/Jazz) [Listen]
In partnership with Gallant, Terrace Martin has just unveiled their latest collaborative effort, the album sneek. A joint endeavor with Lowly and Create Music Group showcases Martin’s evolving artistic direction. Ahead of the album’s release, the duo whetted audiences’ appetites with the single “311!”, a jazz-inspired composition that saw contributions from notable musicians Robert Glasper and Keyon Harrold. sneek is a collection of nine tracks, each distinct in its vibrant tonal and harmonic diversity. Each song stands out for its unique blend of sounds and styles, reflecting the collaborative chemistry of Martin and Gallant. This album represents a new chapter for Martin’s O’Connor label and underscores the creative chemistry between the artists involved.
Blockhead — The Aux (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Blockhead returned for his latest solo LP, The Aux. This partnership follows Blockhead’s successful 2021 Garbology project with Aesop Rock. The Aux, executive produced by woods and released under his Backwoodz Studioz label, is an ambitious project that brings together various talents from various generations and scenes within the indie and underground rap sphere. The album, described by Backwoodz Studioz as akin to an “indie hip-hop All-Star game,” features a remarkable lineup of guest artists. These include notable figures such as woods himself (alongside Armand Hammer), Aesop Rock, Navy Blue, Quelle Chris, Open Mike Eagle, Bruiser Wolf, AKAI SOLO, Defcee, ShrapKnel, RXK Nephew, Fatboi Sharif, and more. Notably, the album’s final track is a collaboration featuring Bruiser Wolf, Danny Brown, billy woods, and Despot, highlighting the project’s breadth and depth in connecting different facets of the rap world.
Vinnie Paz — All Are Guests in the House of God (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Philadelphia’s own Vinnie Paz, a mainstay in the underground rap scene, returns to release his eighth album with All Are Guests in the House of God. Vinnie has built a reputation for delivering consistent quality, and his latest work is no exception. The project reflects his unwavering commitment to craft as it seamlessly integrates elements of the modern trap with his signature hardcore boom-bap sound. While this blend pays homage to traditional hip-hop rhythms, it also infuses contemporary production techniques that add a fresh dimension to his music.
Leslie Odom, Jr. — When a Crooner Dies (R&B) [Listen]
Leslie Odom has unveiled When a Crooner Dies, his fifth full-length album, featuring a suite of 10 original tracks. This latest work is Odom’s first venture into entirely new music since 2019. The album, developed over several years, is his most intimate musical project. It highlights his unique talents, particularly his smooth and instantly recognizable vocal style. These newly penned songs showcase Odom’s artistic flair and offer a glimpse into his musical career.
Ego Ella May — Fieldnotes, Pt. III - EP (R&B) [Listen]
The creative trajectory of Ego Ella May reaches a new high with the release of Fieldnotes, Pt. III, the final installment in her trilogy of EPs that have captivated fans with their diaristic intimacy and neo-soul rhythms. Initiated during the lockdown period, this project by the soulful songstress has evolved, showcasing an ever-expanding musical landscape. Fieldnotes, Pt. III culminates the series and introduces fresh voices into the sonic world Ego Ella May has crafted. With this latest offering, she completes a personal and musical journey that began as a sparse and introspective endeavor and now stands complete, reflecting her growth and exploration through sound.
Colette Lush — Ginger in Paris (R&B) [Listen]
Colette Lush releases another short project with Ginger in Paris. According to her Instagram post, she thanks her “situationships and long-term relationships that inspire the love and heartbreak songs.” It’s seven tracks long, and John Lindahl produces it.
Busty and the Bass — Forever Never Cares (Soul) [Listen]
The collective known as Busty and the Bass, which traces back to McGill University in Montreal, has been synonymous with collaborative musical ventures since their inception over ten years ago. Now spread across four cities in North America, the ensemble’s latest studio offering, Forever Never Cares, serves as a bridge that connects them despite the miles apart. This album encapsulates an audio experience that echoes a past era while simultaneously embodying the essence of contemporary sound. The emotional resonance in Alistair Blu’s voice, Jordan Brown’s otherworldly high notes, Katie Tupper’s sultry timbre, Son Little’s soul-stirring vocals, Clerel’s melodious charm, and Magi Merlin’s exuberant delivery all converge to create a richly textured auditory fabric. This third studio album from Busty and the Bass is an artifact of their collective spirit and a showcase of how they remain musically intertwined despite physical distances, blending old-school vibes with the new school beats.
Bastards of Soul — Give It Right Back (Soul) [Listen]
Bastards of Soul unveils Give It Right Back, their third studio album and the concluding narrative in the band’s saga. This release comes on the heels of a poignant chapter marked by the loss of their charismatic lead singer, Chadwick Murray, in 2021. Among the tracks is “This Love,” a composition from Chadwick’s pen. While fate prevented him from laying down his vocals for this track, Keite Young—celebrated for his exquisite rendition of “Like a Ship” alongside Leon Bridges—offers a stirring performance that honors Chadwick’s memory. Further enriching the album, The Sha La Das, known for their work with Daptone Records, lend their soulful harmonies to the mix. Adding another layer of auditory intrigue, Ghost Funk Orchestra, associated with Colemine’s Karma Chief Records, infuse their distinctive sound into the project. With such collaborations, Give It Right Back promises to be a fitting tribute and a continuation of the rich legacy left by Murray.
Real Bad Man & YUNGMORPHEUS — The Chalice & The Blade (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
In a fresh twist on the hip-hop scene, YUNGMORPHEUS has teamed up with Real Bad Man to deliver The Chalice and the Blade, an album featuring 15 tracks. This latest release showcases YUNGMORPHEUS’s unique lyrical skills and highlights Real Bad Man’s production expertise. The collaboration brings together a diverse roster of talent, including Boldy James, Blu, Grip, Kool Keith, Fatboi Sharif, Theravada, and dreamcast moe, each contributing their distinct flair to the project. These guest artists lend their voices across various tracks, enriching the album’s dynamic soundscape.
TeaMarrr — You Should Prolly Sit Down for This (R&B) [Listen]
A new voice emerges from Los Angeles, where TeaMarrr, a singer and songwriter with roots in Boston, unveils her first full-length work, You Should Prolly Sit Down for This. Through Raedio, listeners can now imbue themselves in this release, which gives an intimate portrayal of her experiences. With 13 tracks to its credit, the album weaves a narrative tapestry of her personal evolution and pivotal life moments. The project offers a candid glimpse into TeaMarrr’s private sphere. It highlights her artistic development while providing audiences with an up-close perspective on the emotional landscapes she covers. Her skillful creative expression is prominently featured across the album with its sincerity and depth.
Journey Montana — Stargirl (R&B) [Listen]
The R&B scene has welcomed a new entrant whose star is rising. Harlem’s own Journey Montana has unveiled her latest work, an EP titled Stargi, under the 10K Projects banner. Across eight tracks, she weaves narratives that reflect experiences of love and anguish and broader themes of personal growth and empathy. Montana’s sophomore EP is a window into her artistic identity’s core. Through her music, one can discern the makings of an artist who skillfully articulates life’s complexities with raw emotion and grace. Each track on Stargirl builds upon the last, culminating in an experience that lays bare the struggles and triumphs inherent to human experience.
Bonus: Coast Contra — The Old Way (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
The Los Angeles-based quartet Coast Contra has infused their latest release, The Old Way, with nostalgia that bridges the gap between the past and present in hip-hop culture. Following their initial offering, Apt. 505, this mixtape stands as a crafted homage to the bedrock laid by hip-hop pioneers. It’s an artful blend designed to appeal to purists who cherish the yesteryears’ unvarnished lyricism while still capturing today’s listeners’ attention.
The Old Way takes its audience on a time-traveling escapade to the heyday of potent bars and storytelling. The mixtape demonstrates how the core elements of hip-hop can evolve yet retain their original potency when combined with contemporary influences. This harmonious fusion within The Old Way affirms the enduring relevance of classic hip-hop sounds and narratives in modern music.