8 Albums to tap in with before year’s end
nowhere, fast by jean deaux
WHY LISTEN
One of Chicago’s finest, Jean Deaux gave us one of the best RnB projects of the year. It’s a softer follow-up from last year’s Heavy, but this change in energy really worked out for both her and those of us who get the privilege to listen. Nowhere,fast is too good. “Dreamin” - one of my favorites - definitely belongs ona GTA soundtrack. “Roll With Me” just screams bad bitch and I’m all the way here for it. “Believe It” feels like a classic Nelly Furtado song - in the good nostalgic way. And tthen “Thinkin” with Destin Conrad eats. Dreaming, Believing, Thinking. What a concept.
Even as I sometimes get lost in the SZAnese, the production and the vocals and the storytelling in the songs really come together to make a project worth listening to over and over. And I have. And you should too.
MY 2 FAVORITE TRACKS
”Dreamin’” and “Roll With Me”
Southern Mystic by Raury
WHY LISTEN
I have a particular appreciation for music that can take you from your world and into another. Southern Mystic does just that, where Raury - whose work defies genre - gives us his folk offerings. I was expecting something more like 2020’s Fervent but Southern Mystic feels more soulful and rich with singing. These songs are certainly experiences and I look forward to more that comes from his The Woods project. Just recently, he released a rap album that I look forward to tapping into - Blue Shell Theory. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to travel to a new world through Southern Mystic.
This album feels made for a campfire or just pleasant solitude. It was hard to choose 2 favorites from this one, so I figured I’d choose 3 because the album is just that good.
MY 3 FAVORITE TRACKS
”Heavenly”, “Wrinkle In Time”, and “Valhalla”
C, XOXO (MAGIC CITY EDITION) by Camilla Cabello
WHY LISTEN
Seeing the choreography for “Dade County Dreaming” made me tap in to Camilla’s album and going through it I was actually thoroughly surprised. Plus, the song is essentially a bad bitch bop. And with my last name being Collins I love saying “Got bitches shakin ass on Collins”. I would love a Sexyy Remix.
The Ojerime sample that makes up “HE KNOWS” with Lil Nas X is used in a masterful way. In context of the album, even the track that rubbed me the wrong way “I LUV IT” actually sounds fitting.
There’s some legitimate bops on here. The singles were well picked, but there’s also some good songs on the album even though some of the features may have sounded better with someone else. Nonetheless, C, XOXO is actually very good where it’s good. Camilla’s experimentation with production definitely worked in her favor here.
MY 2 FAVORITE TRACKS
”HE KNOWS” and “can friends kiss”
I Do this SH*T IN MY SLEEP by AMBRE
WHY LISTEN
Ambré is certainly one of the more undderated voices in RnB. “i do this shit in my sleep” is a collection of songs that she just put together, but the title speaks to the relative ease with which she seems to be able to create and curate beautiful work.
The softness of her voice pairs well with the more laidback production of this project. This album is so sweet. I wanna light some candles and run bathwater like Rev Run. I love when Ambré reminds us she lowkey a thug, but even more when she reminds us she’s tender.
It’s said you shouldn’t put a number 1 next to anything that doesn’t have a number 2, so I look forward to Vol. 2.
MY 2 FAVORITE TRACKS
”PERFECT TIMING” and “LMK”
GRIP by Serpentwithfeet
WHY LISTEN
Serpentwithfeet really did his thing with this project. As one of the earlier out queer Black men in RnB, it’s been so cool watching Serpentwithfeet evolve as an artist and this album feels very much like a new awakening.
From “Damn Gloves” to “1 to 10” the songs capture romance in this progressive 10 track package. The lyrical content is well written and its refreshing to hear someone write about queer romance without being corny. Plus, knowing how the gworls get down, it’s nice seeing Black men writing about other Black men. No shade.
MY 2 FAVORITE TRACKS
”Safe Word” and “Ellipsis”
grasa by natty peluso
WHY LISTEN
I always think of Nancy Pelosi when I see her name, but Nathy Peluso’s GRASA is such a dope album even if you don’t understand most of what she’s saying as a native English speaker. With the little Spanish I know, I know she’s talking her shit and I love it all.
Her vocals really shine through in the less “urban” songs as well. “ENVIDIA” is such a beautiful song that really showcases her musical range. “IDEAS RADICALES” is probably my third favorite track from the album. This album is a lot of things. A lot of good things.
MY 2 FAVORITE TRACKS
”MENINA” and “TODO ROTO”
Last Name: Pope by Jeremy Pope
WHY LISTEN
I’m always gonna support a fellow Jeremy, and Jeremy Pope made it so easy to do with with this beautifully orchestrated RnB offering “Last Name: Pope”. The braggadocious, cocky trap “U, Lost” is so different from the vulnerable and yearning “City2City”. Pope is a master of layering vocals and harmonies. It’s unfair actually.
Unfortunately, he’s been unfairly quiet about it, considering this album is true, classic, RnB excellence. Pope has been lowkey with the rollout, dropping an amazing short film from which the album cover is pulled, shot by the amazing CPRINZ. In 2025, I’m gonna need for Pope to release a full length project or another EP and tour. Maybe “First Name: Jeremy”, in color? The people need to hear this live.
MY 2 FAVORITE TRACKS
”City2City” and “U, Lost (Prom Edition”
I’ll Finish the Lyrics Later By Isaia Huron
WHY LISTEN
A couple of days ago I was reading a book to a class of kindergarteners on scatting and Louis Armstrong and it was the sweetest thing. It was cool to be reminded of the musicality of nonsense and gibberish and the magic of Black music. I say that to provide contexualize the gibberish that permeates through the 9 tracks of I’LL FINISH THE LYRICS LATER. The production of the songs - guitars and keys and some rich percussion - is a lot more complete than the lyrics, but where the lyrics are understandable they are sung very well. The harmonies are layered eloquently, similarly to the aforementioned Jeremy Pope. In fact, they share a similar tone, except Huron is oppressingly heterosexual and sort of a fuccboi - at least in the music.
Still, the album is a calm listen. It feels like a vacation. Like a ride through the valley in Los Angeles, or maybe a quiet walk through Prospect Park.
Now, this doesn’t mean everyone rush to Distrokid and upload a bunch of nonsense demo tracks. A project like this only needs to happen once. Huron has older projects that are just as rich for those wanting a complete experience. But some of us can get lost in the sound and mystery.
MY 2 FAVORITE TRACKS
”AISHA POTTER” and “SELF 2”