Solange- When I Get Home
When I Get Home is a river where each song flows beautifully together to the point where one loses track of where they are. Solange blends soul, alt R&B and jazz in prefect bouncy and dreamy fashion. The album is drenched in the sounds of soul and Solange’s native Huston, a sound that is only possible with the help of great collaborators such as Gio from Standing on the Corner, to Tyler, The Creator and even Sampa.
Final Verdict: A-
Favorite Songs: Way to the Show, Dreams, Binz
Little Simz- GREY Area
UK rapper Little Simz came through with one of the most personal rap albums of the year. Simz uses classic hip-hop-inspired production and dense hard-hitting lyrics to paint a portrait of her past, present and future.
Final Verdict: B
Favorite Songs: Boss, 101 FM, Venom
The Comet is Coming- Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery
The British jazz collective presents listeners with a psychedelic and free-jazz inspired journey. The band has great chemistry and put together amazing compositions that are often on an other-worldly scale.
Final Verdict: B
Favorite Songs: Birth of Creation, Blood of the Past, Super Zodiac
Weyes Blood- Titanic Rising
Titanic Rising is Weyes Blood’s big break, an art-pop album full of lush layering and mixing as well as beautiful vocals. The project puts listeners in a world of gorgeous melodies, ballads and an all-around feeling of floating. The album can be best described as the peacefulness of falling asleep after a harsh day.
Final Verdict: A-
Favorite Songs: A Lot’s Gonna Change, Andromeda, Movies
Beyonce- Homecoming: The Live Album
A Beyonce’s greatest hits album redone with a horn and rhythm section. Performed live on the world’s biggest festival stage. What more could you ask for?
Final Verdict: B++
Favorite Songs: Sorry, Drunk in Love, Before I Let Go
Slauson Malone- A Quiet Farwell, Twenty Sixteen to Twenty Eighteen
The natural progression from the work of Standing on the Corner and Earl Sweatshirt’s latest works, Malone puts together a mostly instrumental album full of foggy samples, and warped vocals that create the projects meditative and somber mood.
Final Verdict: B
Favorite Songs: Trabul, Won’t Bleed Me: The Sequel, Smile 2
Tyler, The Creator- IGOR
Tyler, The Creator- IGORA cohesive and comprehensive look into the lifespan of a relationship gone wrong. Influenced greatly by 80’s R&B as well as more contemporary artist such as Kanye and Pharrell. Whether its the dark synth bass on NEW MAGIC WAND to the lush soul samples on ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?, IGOR is always breathtaking and Tyler’s best work to date.
Final Verdict: A
Favorite Songs: EARFQUAKE, A BOY IS A GUN, GONE,GONE/THANK YOU
Quelle Chris- Guns
Underground Detroit rapper Quelle Chris’ newest album is a poignant inquiry into American gun culture and its effects on communities. Full of witty lyrics and jazzy instrumentals making it an album that is equally enjoyable as background music and well as more focused listens.
Final Verdict: B-
Favorite Songs: Guns, Mind Ya Bidness, Obamacare
Faye Webster- Atlanta Millionaire Club
The third album from Atlanta artist Webster brings together elements of country, R&B and jazz to create a fully unique indie rock album. Full of beautiful ballads to lost love to mantras about getting outside more, Millionaire Club is always interesting.
Final Verdict: B-
Favorite Songs: Room Temperature, Jonny, Kingston
Freddie Gibbs and Madlib- Bandana
The second collaboration from legendary producer Madlib and Gary, Indiana rapper Freddie Gibbs, Bandana has all the chopped soul beats and gangster rap lyrics that you need. Not to mention great features from the likes of Pusha T, Anderson Paak., and Black Thought.
Final Verdict: B
Favorite Songs: Crime Pays, Giannis, Cataracts