Wednesday Roundups #8: 8 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
We're back for the eighth roundups!
Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!
The eighth 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. Navy Blue, Jae Skeese, Cécile McLorin Salvant, ICECOLDBISHOP, Hit-Boy, Kool Keith, Alé Araya, and Kaleem Taylor 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!
Navy Blue — Ways of Knowing (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
For years, Navy Blue has been the lifeblood of unconventional rap, thriving beneath the mainstream radar. Now, with his Def Jam debut, Ways of Knowing, he's prepared to permeate the airwaves and captivate a broader audience. This release benefits from the heft of a prominent label. It embraces a somewhat lighter and less intricate sound while retaining the distinctive elements that elevated Navy Blue to the echelons of artistic uniqueness.
Jae Skeese — Abolished Uncertainties (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Following a solid collaborative EP with Conway the Machine earlier this month—under the auspices of Conway's Drumwork label—Jae Skeese unveils his Drumwork premiere, Abolished Uncertainties, which genuinely stands out as one of the finest albums in its genre. This particular "genre" refers to the gritty, jazz-infused rap hailing from New York. Jae Skeese's rapping skills craft a refreshingly distinctive boom-bap album that diverges from the typical offerings associated with artists of his ilk.
Cécile McLorin Salvant — Mélusine (Jazz) [Listen]
Mélusine is a confluence of shared themes and sensibilities, embodying Cécile McLorin Salvant's audacious vision while charting its invigorating path. Instead of narrating the tale in a song-by-song manner, it paints a series of vivid impressions capturing the story's pivotal moments, inspired by a diverse array of sources—from 12th-century troubadour ballads to the enigmatic 1978 Canadian rock-musical, Starmania. To enrich the experience, the vocals are delivered predominantly in French, Haitian Kreyol, and the time-honored Occitan language.
ICECOLDBISHOP — GENERATIONAL CURSE (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
ICECOLDBISHOP masterfully infuses raw emotion and hunger into the musical realm. His incendiary new album, GENERATIONAL CURSE, illuminates like a blazing flame. A pioneer of his generation, this album fuels the mind and delights the senses as the up-and-coming artist casts a light on society's dark corners, showcasing ICECOLDBISHOP's innate talent as a lyricist with a versatile style and sound. Hailing from South Central, the artist's debut album features a 13-track medley interweaving various hip-hop eras, delivering a fresh experience and a diverse palate of auditory flavors.
Hit-Boy — Surf or Drown (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
At 35 years old, Hit-Boy—the multifaceted producer, MC, and singer-songwriter from Fontana, California—has been honing his craft for two decades, ever since Polow da Don took him under his wing signed him to his Interscope Records imprint, Zone 4 Records. Undeniably, recent years have been some of Hit-Boy's most fruitful, particularly given his collaborations with Big Sean, Benny the Butcher, and most notably, Nas. Long-time listeners of Hit-Boy would agree that Surf or Drown truly showcases his talent. The album offers an intimate glimpse into the essence of one of the most steadfast producers in the industry today, as he enlists a predominantly consistent guest list that supports him in tearing apart his beats—ranging from boom bap to trap and even drill music.
Kool Keith & Real Bad Man — Serpent (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Following successful collaborations with Boldy James on Real Bad Boldy (2021) and Killing Nothing (2022), as well as joining forces with the up-and-coming Pink Siifu for Real Bad Flights (2022), Real Bad Man unveils his initial collaborative album of the year—Serpent. This unique project unites Real Bad Man with the unparalleled Kool Keith, featuring his production exclusively. Serpent boasts guest appearances from notable artists such as Slug of Atmosphere, Ice-T, Edan, Cool Calm Pete, and Zeelooperz.
Alé Araya — in visions (R&B) [Listen]
Hailing from Los Angeles, the Chilean singer, songwriter, and producer Alé Araya unveils her enchanting project, in visions, under the banner of Rostrum Records. This mesmerizing creation is set to catapult Alé into the spotlight as one of the most exciting emerging talents, showcasing her profoundly deep and unrestrained sound, which stands unparalleled in today's music landscape. Entirely produced by Alé and her close-knit circle of friends, in visions encompasses a series of songs that emerged during a time of profound loss in Alé's life, marking her powerful and genuine return to her true self. With a kaleidoscope of influences—including jazz, R&B, soul, Latin, pop, and electronic music—Alé presents a rich tapestry for countless listeners to connect with, grounded in love and self-discovery.
Kaleem Taylor — Ember (R&B) [Listen]
Kaleem Taylor's momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Following a great beginning to the year, marked by back-to-back single releases, he unveils his latest EP, Ember. Kaleem exhibits the full range of his talents in this compelling seven tracks collection. Ember includes the previously released and well-received singles You Would've Loved Me, Scars On My Skin, and Help Me Fight a Losing Battle. Hailing from South London, the gifted artist presents four additional, fresh tracks, ensuring that the entire body of work garners widespread acclaim.