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Best New Albums Streaming on Spotify Right Now
20 years ago, a music junkie couldn't even comprehend what Spotify offers. We complain about the modern day struggles that come with streaming services and unlimited access to music, but at the end of the day, you have to realize how ridiculous it is. We can pay $10 a month and get more music than we know what to do with. And that's the main problem—you sign into Spotify and it's almost overwhelming. Most people end up going back to the things they already know or falling into black holes of lost R&B slow jams and weird Kidz Bop covers, so we decided to help out with some recommendations.
We'll be updating this post every month with a new batch of fresh albums that you can stream on Spotify. If you're more about that singles life, you can check out our playlist that's updated regularly here, but every now and then it's still nice to sit down with a record tape CD full album of MP3s.
Here are some of the best new albums streaming on Spotify right now. If you've got recommendations, feel free to leave them in the comments section.
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Blood Orange - Freetown SoundRelease date: June 28 Essential tracks: "Thank You," "Desirée," "Best To You"
Devonté Hynes' long-awaited album as Blood Orange is 17 tracks long, and he uses every second. Freetown Sound is packed with ideas—musical, political, and personal—without sacrificing the melodic accessibility that has made Hynes a go-to writing partner for some of pop music's biggest names.
The hooks are much more subdued here, however. Hynes mostly sings in hushed, sensual tones, leaving the fortissimo moments to a bevy of female collaborators. Empress Of takes lead on "Best To You," Debbie Harry shows out on "E.V.P.," and Nelly Furtado delivers on "Hadron Collider."
Hynes' usual staple of dreamy synths are back, complemented by an orchestral selection of strings, mallets, and arpeggiated synths. It's a huge step forward for the artist in terms of scope, subject matter, and execution. Given its massive ambitions, it would have been very easy for Freetown Sound to collapse under its own weight. It does not, and we have on of 2016's most beautiful albums as a result.
Young Thug - Slime Season 3Release date: March 25 Essential tracks: "Digits," "With Them," "Drippin'"
Young Thug doesn't ever need to be an album artist. The cyclical nature of album roll-outs simply doesn't apply to an artist who can make a hit song in under 10 minutes. The 23-year-old seems to be constantly moving—and so far that has paid off—but it was interesting to see 300 Entertainment founder Lyor Cohen advising Thug to slow down.
Who knows if Young Thug can slow down, or what will happen when he does, but we're already starting to see Thug's output get a little more focused. Slime Season 3 is a concise, lean project with only eight songs on it. It's a far cry from the 22-song Slime Season 2, and it's more memorable because of its brevity.
The general idea is simple: with fewer songs, there's more time to put into each one. It's unclear if Young Thug even wants to put more time into each song, but fewer songs is about more than allowing Thug more time for each. It also allows the listener to focus. Let's face it: when dozens of Thug songs surfaced last year it was awesome, but it was also overwhelming. Some of those songs were great, but many of them slipped between the cracks. Even the most prolific artists (e.g. Prince) need to filter, and Thug is starting to do that effectively.
YG - Still BrazyRelease date: June 17 Essential tracks: “Twist My Fingaz,” “Why You Always Hatin?,” “FDT”
YG’s follow-up to his 2014 West Coast blassic My Krazy Life is finally here. Still Brazy is a fun, aggressive record that does justice to the legacy that YG has already built for himself in his short career. Though this album is missing the unique flavor that DJ Mustard lent to My Krazy Life, it hardly suffers in the grand scheme of things; in fact, YG’s style really shines as a result.
The rapper has refined his storytelling considerably, specifically his internal monologue, and though the album may feel a bit more paranoid as a result, it’s incredibly rewarding to get such an honest look into YG’s head. He's more political than ever before, too. Songs like “FDT” and “Police Get Away Wit Murder” demonstrate YG’s keen ability to speak for those whose voices are not heard in the mainstream. As long as artists like YG keep their ears to the streets and report their findings, records like this will have an audience.
It’s a joy to bear witness to YG’s emotional growth and musical development—but don’t worry, he’s still as brazy as he’s always been.
Kaytranada - 99.9%Release date: May 6 Essential tracks:“GLOWED UP,” “DRIVE ME CRAZY,” “YOU'RE THE ONE”
Kaytranada has come a long way since his Janet Jackson “If” remix back in 2012. In the years following, the Haitian-Canadian producer/DJ has gone from Soundcloud prodigy to international superstar, and 99.9% is a testament to that journey.
The album absolutely glistens, covering genres from R&B and hip-hop to electronica and jazz. It also features an all-star roster of collaborators—Anderson .Paak, Craig David, Syd Tha Kyd, AlunaGeorge, Little Dragon, and Vic Mensa all show out. With just one album, Kay makes a triumphant transition from remix artist to stand-alone producer. The artist has said that the album gets its title from the feeling of never being satisfied with his work—but 99.9% is anything but unfulfilling.
Flume - SkinRelease date: May 27 Essential tracks: “Take A Chance,” “Never Be Like You,” “Wall Fuck”
Even rave culture pessimists can’t deny that Flume’s latest album bangs. In a world where it can feel as though the electronic music scene has lost its way, Flume is somewhat of a standout creative. With Skin, the Australian artist proves that his chosen genre can still be dynamic—just listen to tracks like the genre-bending “Smoke & Retribution,” the rubbery banger “Wall Fuck,” or the euphoric “Tiny Cities,” which features Beck.
The album also guest stars Allan Kingdom, Raekwon, Vince Staples, Vic Mensa, and Little Dragon. If you’re going to indulge in some fun-for-the-sake-of-it beats, this album will hit the spot.
Kanye West - The Life of PabloRelease date: February 14 Essential tracks: "Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1," "Fade," "Famous," "Ultralight Beam"
Two months later, Kanye West's decision to keep TLOP off Spotify has been overturned, and the world is a better place for it.
For all the drama and tabloid fodder that this album produced as a piece of living, breathing art, Pablo is also another wholly unique addition to Kanye's discography, and a testament to his ability to push boundaries in ways none of us could have expected.
And the ongoing revisions—Kanye has been uploading different versions of songs to various streaming platforms and going back to tinker with songs from Yeezus—are further proof that Kanye isn't just interested in making great music. He's here to disrupt our conventional notions of what an album can be, making us wade through nails on a chalkboard in order to get eight bars of gold ("Freestyle 4"). He's leaving in "mistakes," and ridiculing himself "I Love Kanye" while admitting his "greatest shame" of personal debt. It's a fascinating listen, and a reminder why Kanye is one of our greatest living artists.
Car Seat Headrest - Teens of DenialRelease date: May 20 Essential tracks: "Fill In The Blank," "Vincent"
As soon as the opening chords of "Fill In The Blank" hit, you will be transported back to a time when guitar rock was at the cutting edge of music. Maybe this is a sign that it will rise again, or maybe Car Seat Headrest just put out a great album.
Either way, Teens of Denial is something special—a self-assured, confident pack of songs that go heavy on the distortion and self-consciousness. This is far from the band's first album, but it's their second on Matador, and frontman Will Toledo's first with a full band. The resulting album is a constantly surprising thrill ride through burgeoning adulthood, and we're on board. “At what point do you stop being teenage and angsty and start being an adult?” Toledo asked Noisey. “There's no clear answer to that.”
Kendrick Lamar - untitled unmastered.Release date: March 4 Essential tracks: "untitled 02 | 06.23.2014." "untitled 03 | 05.28.2013." "untitled 07 | 2014 - 2016"
Kendrick Lamar is still basking in the success of 2015's warmly received To Pimp A Butterfly. In the time since its release, his televised performances have been a series of untitled tracks that many viewers thought would never receive a proper release. Fortunately, Kendrick finally gave fans what they'd been asking for with his surprise release untitled unmastered.
As you might expect, the eight-track project features untitled and seemingly unfinished tracks recorded during the TPAB sessions. Though these songs didn't make the final cut, the results of untitled unmastered. proves that these tracks were just too good to go unheard forever.
Kendrick recently selected the seventh track from the album as the first official single. The new single version cuts the original eight-minute track into just over two minutes and renames it as "untitled 07 | levitate."
Skepta - KonnichiwaRelease date: May 6 Essential tracks: “That’s Not Me,” “Shutdown,” “Man”
Skepta has been a dominating force in the grime scene recently, and although Konnichiwa is his fourth studio album, it’s his first to chart in the United States. You can trace Skepta's most recent win streak to 2014, when “That’s Not Me” dropped. Though the MC had already dropped two singles meant to appear on Konnichiwa, “That’s Not Me” marked a change in Skepta’s style, which would continue to develop in the years leading up to Konnichiwa.
One year later, Skepta would find himself on stage with Kanye West at the 2015 BRITs, alongside a mix of up-and-comers and legends including Vic Mensa, JME, and Novelist. The raucous gig caught some publicity in the US, and Skepta’s name started to float across the blogosphere more frequently. Over the course of 2015, Skepta would accrue even more hype after a cosign from Drake. Though his name started to feel omnipresent, his music was not—American audiences, late to the game, were left wondering where Skepta’s “debut” record was.
But when Konnichiwa dropped in May, Skepta somehow proved everybody right. The record is the result of five years of hard work and stylistic growth, and since it sounds so different than his earlier work, it is a “debut” in some sense. Tracks like “Shutdown” and “Man” demonstrate the rapper’s finely-tuned rhythmic sensibilities and lyrical prowess, a testament to decades of experience in grime. Grime may have taken a few detours on its way across the Atlantic, but we’re relieved that it’s finally here; as the old adage goes, better late than never.
Radiohead - A Moon Shaped PoolRelease date: May 8 Essential tracks: “Burn the Witch,” “Ful Stop,” “Daydreaming”
A Moon Shaped Pool is the latest entry in Radiohead’s iconic discography, and even with such a decorated history of releases behind it, this record belongs near the top of their musical library. Here, we find Radiohead at their most vulnerable. The instrumentation is sparse and careful, designed to highlight and complement Thom Yorke’s beautifully exhausted, fragile vocals. Tracks like “Burn the Witch” and “Ful Stop” stand out because of their energy; in an album that wanders and hums, these track march forward to deliver a clear message.
This is not to say that the other tracks are lethargic, though; in fact, every moment on this album is carefully crafted, and the subtle shifts stand out that much more as a result—“Daydreaming” is particularly haunting. Go find a quiet spot, throw on your best headphones, and prepare to self-examine with the help of Radiohead’s most existential effort yet.
Mitski - Puberty 2Release date: June 17 Essential tracks: "Your Best American Girl," "Happy"
Puberty 2 is the result of a long journey for Mitski—she released a number of albums in college and had critics buzzing with 2014's lo-fi gem Bury Me at Makeout Creek.
She levels up again on Puberty 2. The sound is more polished, but the core elements—crunchy guitar, operatic vocals, and poetic, forlorn lyricism—are still front and center. This is a rock album in every sense of the word, and Mitski doesn't take her foot off the gas for a second.
ANOHNI - HopelessnessRelease date: May 6 Essential tracks: “Drone Bomb Me,” “4 Degrees,” “Why Did You Separate Me from the Earth?”
ANOHNI takes celebrity activism to another level with her solo debut, Hopelessness. The record is a protest against deforestation, global warming, drone bombing, state-sponsored execution, torture, surveillance, and what ANOHNI views as broken promises by President Obama.
The artist doesn’t sugar-coat the issues, either: “Blow my head off,” she sings tearfully in “Drone Bomb Me;” in “4 Degrees,” “I want to hear the dogs crying for water / I want to see fish go belly-up in the sea.” The crushing, rageful album (produced in large part by Hudson Mohawke) may not make for easy listening, but it’s the rare record that won’t just make you dance—it will also make you think.
Night Lovell - Red Teenage MelodyRelease date: June 14 Essential tracks: "Barbie Doll," "Boy Red," "Louis V"
Night Lovell has put Ottawa on the map—once we heard gems like the Dylan Brady-produced "Fraud," it was only a matter of time before he broke through. Red Teenage Melody is a searing debut, apocalyptic production balanced by surprisingly compassionate lyrics: Truth be told I want you back," he raps on "I'm Okay." "Truth be told I got your back." Lovell attacks every track. His bassy, doubled vocals are a thing of hoarse, hellish beauty.
Lovell stuck with what worked when it came to the album's production. He's still best when bouncing off jagged electronic production from Brady, Blank Body, and glocque—but every song bangs. With Red Teenage Melody, Lovell has cemented his lane of scowl rap and succeeded when he tried his hand at something new, like the Wavy Drexler collab "Riot Ballad."
James Blake - The Colour In AnythingRelease date: May 6 Essential tracks:“Radio Silence,” “I Need a Forest Fire,” “Meet You In The Maze”
After a three-year hiatus following 2013’s Overgrown, James Blake surprised fans in May with The Colour In Anything, a fresh album that put him smack back on the industry radar—not that he ever really left. It’s a much-needed return for the London-based artist, who has built an international reputation for his goosebump-inducing vocals, haunting melodies and melancholy mood.
The album is predictably gorgeous: hazy piano chords accompany breathy howls and sparse electronics, weaving in and out of verses that loop hypnotically into themselves. While the mammoth album chooses its lyrics carefully, the verses that do make an appearance are the kind of poetry that only Blake could pull off: “It's sad that you're no longer her,” or “while you were away, I started loving you,” he despairs.
The entire album, which collects pointed influence from Bon Iver and Frank Ocean, feels like it’s wrapped in a thin mist, both in the way it sounds and the way you quickly lose yourself in its folds.
Aesop Rock - The Impossible KidRelease date: April 29 Essential tracks: "Lazy Eye," "Rings" "TUFF"
Almost two decades after his debut Music For Earthworms, Aesop Rock is still coasting in his own lane. On the self-produced The Impossible Kid, Aesop's beats feel like the soundtrack to an outer space assembly line—dark, industrial, but with a steady, urgent groove. Despite how out-of-this-world the album is sonically, it's lyrically one of his most personal projects yet.
From mental health issues to family life and growing up, Aesop Rock gets really real on The Impossible Kid. It's all wrapped in in densely packed verbiage, but it's there, and unlike some of the more abstract work of Aesop's past, The Impossible Kid makes a genuine effort to connect.
Most importantly though, this album is—despite its serious nature—really fun. Aesop has developed into an excellent producer, and no matter how experimental he gets, he's always appreciated a good bass line and crispy drums. Plus, at almost 40 years old, the independent rap veteran is self-aware and able to address his own issues with a sharp sense of humor and self-deprecating charm ("Before climbing douchebag mountain, I was skate or die / Started eatin' kale and came to terms with my lazy eye").
Rap has changed a lot over the past 20 years. Most of the artists associated with the underground hip-hop scene of the 2000s have fallen off or tried to shift to be more in line with current trends. Aesop Rock has continued to evolve on his own terms, and The Impossible Kid is proof that it's best to act naturally, whatever that means for you.
Listen below, and catch him live at Irving Plaza in NYC on June 13.
Chance The Rapper - Coloring BookRelease date:May 12 Essential tracks: “No Problem,” “All We Got,” “Blessings”
Chance The Rapper’s Coloring Book—the long-awaited follow-up to 2013’s Acid Rap—was arguably one of the most highly-anticipated releases of the year. In the months leading up to the album’s drop, the Chicago artist generated buzz with a steady flow of collabs, contributing verses for the likes of Kanye West, SZA, James Blake, and Action Bronson.
Thankfully, Chance’s third mixtape lives up to the hype, and maybe even surpasses it. With a rich mix of tracks that run the gamut from the spoken word reflections of “Blessings” to the feel-good summer banger “No Problem,” Chance settles into a new gospel-tinged sound and solidifies his position as a household name.
Coloring Book shows thematic depth as well: this is no booty-booze-and-bills rap album. On “All We Got,” Chance muses on the power of music; on “Mixtape,” he calls out the music industry for overlooking the artist-friendly distribution method. The album also contains some of Chance’s best verses yet, ranging from clever wordplay (“this ain’t no intro, this is the entrée”) to rebellious outbursts (“this is the sheep that ain’t like what it herd!”) to utterly triumphant cries (“I swear my life is perfect / I could merch it / If I die I’ll probably cry at my own service”).
Keep an ear out for the album’s star-studded crew of guests, including Kanye West, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Justin Bieber, Future, Young Thug, Lil Yachty, and more.
Baauer - AaRelease date: March 18 Essential tracks: "Temple," "Kung Fu," "GoGo!"
Baauer waited nearly four years after “Harlem Shake” went viral to release his debut album. He's on record as calling the song “corny and annoying as fuck,” and he spends much of Aa running in the opposite direction to explore left-field corners of electronic production styles. Outside of lead single “GoGo!,” the Philly producer favors experimental off-kilter songs that slyly ask you to dance over the thunderous in-your-face trap found on “Harlem Shake.”
Carrying the weight on his own through a feature-less front half of the album, Baauer hits his stride when he plays a supporting role to an impressive collection of guest vocalists down the stretch. He comfortably slides under Pusha T and Future’s elastic flows on druggy standout “Kung Fu” and shows range on the thwacking Eastern-flavored album highlight “Temple” featuring M.I.A. and G-DRAGON.
Aa veers away from the over-the-top trap music that drew in casual fans, but that’s generally a good thing. You can stop calling him the “Harlem Shake guy” now.
JMSN - It is.Release date: May 6 Essential tracks: "Hypnotized," "Power," "Cruel Intentions"
JMSN has long been a P&P favorite. He is the boy band offshoot we deserve, with a buttery voice, insane arrangement skills, and dance moves that would make JT himself blush.
It is. is so many things—an album-long bluesy jam sesh, a trip to church, a fever dream. First and foremost, however, it's a musical journey. You can feel JMSN's music down in your gut, and his track names double down on the importance of genre and composition to this album—"A Good Ol' Case of the Blues" and "Funk Outta Here" are the most obvious. Every song is a fully formed idea, solid structures with interlocking parts. Listening to It is. makes it clear why Kendrick Lamar worked with JMSN so early on in their careers—like Kendrick, JMSN is a big picture guy, and he's painted a beautiful one here.
Bladee - EversinceRelease date: May 25 Essential tracks: “Who Goes There,” “Missing Person,” “Romeo”
Sad Boy affiliate Bladee recently made his album debut with Eversince. If you’re a fan of Yung Lean, you’ll immediately understand the appeal of this record. Though Bladee has not made as big of a splash as his fellow Swedish rapper, he delivers a unique take on cloud trap worth listening to with Eversince.
In some ways, Bladee is like a more introverted Chief Keef. Both artists express their reluctance to engage in any long-term romantic trysts, but Bladee will take it a step further, explaining why he would rather be alone, delving into his various methods of self-medication. Between lyrics about fat blunts and Moncler coats, Bladee croons about his past mistakes, confusions, and worries; there is a lot to analyze here, for both the casual listener and the professional psychiatrist.
All of this beautiful self-expression takes place over some of the cloudiest, quaintest beats to come out of the Sad Boy camp, beats which still manage to build momentum and bump pretty hard despite their ambient flavors. Whether you’re crying crystal tears after a breakup or dancing alone in your frigid room, Eversince is the perfect soundtrack for the introspective partier in us all.
SZA - 'CTRL'Release Date: June 9
Essential tracks: "Supermodel," "Doves in the Wind," "The Weekend"SZA's debut album has been a long time coming, but thankfully Ctrl is finally here. Before its release, the wait for SZA's new album was hard to handle. However, after spending time with it, it's clear that SZA had to finish living out these experiences before she could write about them. Ctrl is about relationships, womanhood, self care, and more. But mostly, it's about being completely honest with yourself in order to grow into the better person you hoped to be.
J Hus - 'Common Sense'Release date: May 12
Essential tracks: "Common Sense," "Plottin," "Bouff Daddy"This may be the best rap album to come out of the U.K. in 2017. J Hus does it all on Common Sense, from the electrifying opening track to more low key cuts like "Plottin" and "Leave Me." J Hus is a chameleon, switching deliveries and tone depending on what the beat demands. And the production deserves a slice of the accolades—JAE5 crafted hit after hit of bouncy, forward-thinking production across the album.
Common Sense arrived a day after J Hus announced a deal with Epic Records, and less than two years after he was hospitalized with serious stab wounds. If he can get through that, the music industry will be cakewalk. But from the sound of it, J HUS already knows that much.
Mac DeMarco - 'This Old Dog'Release date: May 5
Essential tracks: "On The Level," "My Old Man," "For The First Time"Mac DeMarco switched things up on This Old Dog. The charming lo-fi quirks that defined his early work have been replaced by charming hi-fi quirks. It's spectacularly produced, preserving the guitar work that is DeMarco's calling card while seamlessly integrating a new penchant for electronic flourishes. It's also his most directly personal work yet, with lyrics about family, love, and growing up delivered without pretense. Mac is your old friend who you can always kick back and shoot the shit with, and This Old Dog is the soundtrack.
Gucci Mane - 'Droptopwop'Release date: May 26
Essential tracks: "Met Gala," "Both Eyes Closed," "Finesse The Plug Interlude"Gucci Mane teams up with Metro Boomin for his third album since his release from prison. Classic flows by Gucci paired with the quality production of Metro makes this album required listening—this is Gucci back on top form. The ten track album comes in at just under 37 minutes but doesn't feel rushed at all compared to previous releases. Droptopwop is exactly that, a drop top banger, something to ride out to on the way to the beach or on the highway. Either way, it's a trap blessing.
Smino - 'blkswn'Release date: March 8
Essential tracks: "Wild Irish Roses," "Anita," "blkswn," "Father Son Holy Smoke"Listening to St. Louis rapper Smino is fun. His debut album, blkswn, is packed with peerless rapping, smooth melodies, and incredible production, much of which comes from Monte Booker. Each new listen throws up new wordplay and memorable lines, and Smino packs messages of self-empowerment and celebration of women throughout the album. blkswn is one of a kind—get to know the man behind it in our Who Is? video above.
Cashmere Cat - '9'Release date: April 28
Essential tracks: "Infinite Stripes," "Wild Love"Over the past two years, Cashmere Cat has quietly become an indispensable pop producer. He's worked with everyone from Ariana Grande and Tinashe to Kanye West, bringing a distinctly experimental bent to an otherwise sterilized culture.
For 9, the man born Magnus August Høiberg brings the best of both worlds together. He's enlisted the biggest names in music—The Weeknd, Selena Gomez, and Ty Dolla Sign among them—to sing over his constantly shifting, always enthralling production. It works best with Ty Dolla on "Infinite Stripes" (don't sleep on that outro), but 9 is filled with unexpected, euphoric moments. Cashmere Cat has expanded his sonic palette in recent years, and while the big-name features are great, it's his incorporation of new elements like string sections that have us coming back to this album.
Brockhampton - 'Saturation'Release date: June 9
Essential tracks: "MILK," "FEAR," "HEAT," "GOLD"Brockhampton has arrived. Capitalizing off the success of last year's All-American Trash mixtape, the collective that includes Kevin Abstract, Romil, Ameer Vann, Merlyn Wood, Dom McLennon, Matt Champion, and many more unleashed SATURATION this past week. Everyone's talents are on display—they're rapping their asses off on "STAR" and "FAKE," getting in touch with their feelings on "MILK," and delivering timeless hooks on "GOLD." It's a group effort worthy of the considerable hype they've amassed, and SATURATION—officially their debut album—should be part of your regular rotation as a result.
Sevdaliza - 'ISON'Release date: April 26
Essential tracks: "Human," "Marilyn Monroe," "Bluecid"Iranian-born, Netherlands based artist Sevdaliza has been subverting pop and R&B norms from her first release in 2014, and she continues to craft her own haunting brand of experimental pop on debut album ISON. It's a truly strong statement from an artist with an uncompromising vision, evoking many of the same feelings as listening to iconic albums by trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack and Portishead. Sevdaliza is special and ISON is essential listening.
Kweku Collins - 'grey'Release date: April 28
Essential tracks: "Aya," "Jump.i," "The Continuation"
Kweku back. Just over a year after dropping the head-turning Nat Love, Evanston's Kweku Collins returned with a vengeance in 2017—grey is Kweku at his hazy, drawling best. He links up with longtime collaborator Allan Kingdom for album standout "Aya" (the video just dropped last week), and continues to explore the blurry line between rap and indie rock with aplomb.
Joey Badass - 'ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$'Release date: April 7
Essential tracks: "For My People," "Land of the Free," "Devastated," "Temptation"The power of an artist's voice becomes very clear in Joey Bada$$' sophomore album 'All Amerikkkan Bada$$'. Through some powerful lyrics and soulful beats, he tells the story of the tense political climate in America. This album can easily bring you from "sleep" to conscious by listening to tracks like "For My People" or "Land of the Free."
Coupled with some amazing features, and well-placed bars this album is a perfect pick for a train ride or a calm drive. Joey Bada$$ is back and we are listening.
Nick Hakim - 'Green Twins'Release date: May 19
Essential tracks: "Cuffed," "Green Twins," "Bet She Looks Like You"Over the last few years, Nick Hakim has made a great impression with his previous EPs. His 2014 releases Where Will We Go, Pt. 1 and Where Will We Go, Pt. 2 offered up a proper introduction to his uniquely soulful sound. His voice is soothing but layered with effects that make the result almost haunting. This description is heightened on Hakim's debut album Green Twins. The lo-fi production is a signature sound for Hakim. He's found his lane, and delivered an album perfect for a relaxing evening at home.
Arca - 'Arca'Release date: April 7
Essential tracks: "Desafío," "Piel," "Anoche"Arca holds nothing back on his self-titled album. Originally known as a producer of experimental electronic music, Arca's own vocals are central for the first time on this album. He has a beautiful voice as it turns out, and pairing it with his sometimes glitchy but mostly richly melodic production makes for some mind-bending results. Arca sounds like religious music from the year 3000, and it's worth spending some time with this album to get a handle on everything that's going on.
Jay Prince - 'Late Summers'Release date: June 2
Essential tracks: "When I Die," "Peace of Mind," "Vice"East London rapper and producer Jay Prince is back with more sharp rapping and warm, bouncy production on his Late Summers mixtape. Jay Prince, who supported Chance The Rapper on his European tour, has some of the same skill set as the Chicago rapper—namely an elastic rapping style and an easy way with melody—and it's on full display from the mixtape's excellent opening track.
Elsewhere, Jay Prince teams up with Avelino, Shakka, and Aminé on different tracks, and introduces female vocalists too, with Fabienne and Mahalia featuring on consecutive tracks. Overall, Jay Prince shares an uplifting message across Late Summers, and provides a soundtrack not just for summer, but for any time you want to enjoy a consistent hip-hop record.
Choker - 'Peak'Release date: May 6
Essential tracks: "El Dorado," "Moksha," "Diorama"21-year-old Michigan-based singer/rapper/producer Choker made PEAK almost completely on his own. "Aside from the trumpet and acoustic guitar at the end of 'Diorama,' I felt working solo was the most productive," he told us. "I prefer to rely on myself as much as possible."
Sonically, Choker explores textures ranging from soulful to psychedelic, but his raw, intimate, free-flowing approach is consistent throughout this project. Each song is unpredictable and unaffected by the usual constraints of structure, and it all ties together to beautifully illustrate this special young artist's talents. It normally takes an artist years of experience and a team of support to get to this point, but Choker's vision is already coming across crystal clear.
"In the future I'd like to work with people more," he says, "after I learn how to not be such a destructive slab of sad meat during the creative process. I know it's healthy to collaborate and share those moments with others." PEAK is one of the best debuts of the year, and it's exciting to think about what Choker will be capable of once he starts letting people into his world. For now, he's doing just fine on his own.
Kendrick Lamar - 'DAMN.'Release date: April 14
Essential tracks: "LOVE.," "ELEMENT.," "DNA."With 2012's Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, Kendrick Lamar cemented his spot among hip-hop's elite, but three years later, his next official studio album To Pimp A Butterfly took things in a very different direction. It was experimental, dense, and demanding, and while it's a rewarding experience, it's a difficult album to listen to.
On DAMN., Kendrick returns to a more accessible sound rooted in hip-hop tradition, but instead of sounding safe or stale, this approach only highlights how good Kendrick is. Songs like "LOVE." and "ELEMENT." are catchy enough to sing along to, but they're also smart and nuanced. This time around, Kendrick's superior lyricism and technical ability are still on full display, but it's packaged in such an accessible fashion that instead of being challenged to keep up, listeners are invited to enjoy.
Sinjin Hawke - 'First Opus'Release date: May 10
Essential tracks: "Dawn Of Infinity," "Don't Lose Yourself To This"Sinjin Hawke is one of the underground's most exciting and boundary pushing producers, and he got the kind of platform his talent deserves when he co-produced "Wolves" from Kanye West's The Life of Pablo with Cashmere Cat. After a series of EPs, singles, and remixes, Sinjin Hawke made a bold statement with First Opus, forgoing collaborators and vocalists to best deliver his own vision.
Picking essential tracks is difficult, as the album is best enjoyed as a complete experience, part club music, part symphony, part rap beat tape. There's also a wild visualizer which you can experience along with the album here.
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