As the lines keep blurring on what is an album I am going to just call this new music instead of new albums. A bit slow but I don't mind as I am still wrapping up my revisit on 2021 albums.

First project I checked out was this Kool Keith & Del project. Google says it came out in July 2021 but I had not heard of it. I think Del sounds pretty good on it but the production isn't doing it for me.
https://koolkeith.bandcamp.com/album/subatomic

From today I am probably checking out the Gunna and Weeknd. I am going to try to check out more singles this year. I listened to the Fake Friends by Gucci, not bad. Going to check out singles by 2 Chainz, Earl and Kota.

If there are projects missing from the list below, please post them.

What will you be listening to?

Genius List:
https://genius.com/Genius-january-2022-album-release-calendar-annotated
1/1
Andrew Star - Level - 5/5
Andrew Star - Psychedelic Fever - 6/6
Fall! - REVENGE - 0/12
Lil Playah - Money Hungry! - 5/5

1/3
Halsey - If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power (Deluxe) - 16/16

1/6
Montana of 300 - Rap God - 7/25

1/7
DOPE LEMON - Rose Pink Cadillac - 10/10
EDDISON - #4U - EP - 0/4
Gunna - DS4EVER - 15/20
Infected Rain - Ecdysis - 3/12
INNA - Champagne Problems #DQH1 - 8/8
MARINA - Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land (Deluxe) - 15/15
RuPaul - MAMARU - 10/10
The Weeknd - Dawn FM - 16/16

https://genius.com/Genius-january-2022-singles-release-calendar-annotated

Metacritic list:
https://www.metacritic.com/browse/albums/release-date/coming-soon/date?view=detailed
Spector - Now Or Whenever
Twin Atlantic - Transparency

HipHop DX list:
https://hiphopdx.com/release-dates
BigBabyGucci - Iridesense

Adding DJ Muggs, Papoose and Killah Priest from here.

For singles I'm adding the K.A.A.N., Z-Ro, Quelle Chris, Self Scientific, PremRock & billy woods and Che Noir, 38 Spesh & Ransom.

https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/ryd2dh/new_music_friday_january_7th_2021/

Albums
The Weeknd - Dawn FM (featuring Lil Wayne, Tyler the Creator, Quincy Jones, Oneohtrix Point Never & Jim Carrey)
Gunna - DS4EVER (featuring Drake, Lil Baby, 21 Savage, Future, Young Thug, Kodak Black, G Herbo, Chris Brown, Yung Bleu, Chlöe Bailey, Nechie & Roddy Ricch)
FNKPMPN (Del The Funky Homosapien & Kool Keith) - Subatomic (featuring Lil B & Q-Shy)
Sentino - Aporofobia
Montana of 300 - Rap God
DJ Muggs & Rigz - Gold
OG Keemo - Mann beisst Hund
Papoose - December (featuring Russ, Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma & 2 Chainz)
Gupi - You're It
Soulzay & Slim Guerilla - Nothings Changed
MDMA - Witchcraft 1.5 (featuring UnoTheActivist & GavoFromTheBurn)
BounceBackMeek - West Side Story

EPs
BIGBABYGUCCI - Iridesense
Killah Priest - The 3 Fantastic Supermen
Bear1Boss - Sicko Space X

whatever critiques people throw and Bruno/Silk Sonic should be tossed at this x1000.

the thing is though, i like Bruno/Silk Sonic retro shit. shit is like a tribute to a past era.

this is TRITE.

if you want some FIRE 80s inspired R&B, listen to Tory Lanez "Alone At Prom".

oof.

I like both but they both cosplaying and not adding to it. At least OPN getting paid off this Weeknd album that dude is a genius

how is tory on that? cuz he sampled Madonna?

he completely took that shit and made it his own.

him and his producer(s) DID SOME SHIT on his project. this Weeknd shit has ZERO imagination.

again its not a bad album but theres no imagination to it.

and that would explain why you think it's a "bite."

but you're obviously welcome to your opinion.

It's more like Nu City Pop + the Nu New Wave that Breakbot/Holy Ghost!/Justice are making - and that Bruno kind of used - and less Michael Jackson/Quincy Jones inspired.

This is more Depeche Mode sounding than Mtume - but it's also BOTH. Definitely heard some guitar from the 80s on a few songs.

Loved the fact than Autotune was used much less here.

Lyrics are kind of lazy sometimes - but almost all the bands I mentioned above have that too.

And he's probably a better singer than 90% of the obvious influences.

But I don't find this as performative/imitative as Sonic Silk - and it's also less tongue in cheek.

And he got Jim Carrey to be on it too.

But very specific R&B from 81-86 but also a lot of new wave from that period too.

Like Kashif but more like Chromeo.

Seems to be influenced BY the groups that were influenced by a certain type of R&B - and not the original R&B.

I don't know, I like it.

Pretty big week. Going to be checkin out the Cordae, Earl, FKA twigs, Kota and Young Boy (no good way to type this dudes name huh).

For singles 50, Cautious Clay, wifisfuneral, EARTHGANG, Jack White, JID, and Joey Bada$$.

If there are projects missing from the list below, please post them.

What will you be listening to?

Genius List:
https://genius.com/Genius-january-2022-album-release-calendar-annotated
1/9
Eric Nam - There And Back Again - 7/7

1/10
Joey Trap - DR TRAP 2 - 1/8
Dance With The Dead - Driven to Madness - 10/10
1/12
The Weeknd - Dawn FM (Alternate World) - 19/19

1/13
Red (Taylor’s Version): Could You Be The One Chapter 6/6

1/14
Ant Clemons - 4Play - 4/4
BAYNK - ADOLESCENCE - 5/10
Bonobo - Fragments - 4/12
Broken Social Scеne - Old Dead Young: B-Sides & Raritiеs - 14/14
Casting Crowns - Healer - 3/7
Cat Power - Covers - 12/12
Cordae - From a Birds Eye View - 3/14
Earl Sweatshirt - Sick! - 3/10
Elvis Costello & The Imposters - The Boy Named If - 2/13
Fickle Friends - Are We Gonna Be Alright? - 7/12
Fit for an Autopsy - Oh What the Future Holds - 3/10
FKA twigs - CAPRISONGS - 2/17
Gunna - DRIP SEASON 4EVER - 20/20
Jamestown Revival - Young Man
Jim Jones - Gangsta Grillz: We Set the Trends - 1/25
Kota the Friend - Lyrics to GO, Vol. III - 2/10
mol$ - misoland - 1/3
Punch Brothers - Hell on Church Street - 2/11
Shadow of Intent - Elegy - 4/13
Skillet - Dominion - 4/12
The Lumineers - BRIGHTSIDE - 3/9
The Wombats - Fix Yourself, Not the World - 4/12
Token - PINK IS BETTER - 6/18
Underoath - Voyeurist - 5/10
YoungBoy Never Broke Again - Colors

https://genius.com/Genius-january-2022-singles-release-calendar-annotated

Metacritic list:
https://www.metacritic.com/browse/albums/release-date/coming-soon/date?view=detailed
Blood Red Shoes - Ghosts On Tape
Orlando Weeks - Hop Up

HipHop DX list:
https://hiphopdx.com/release-dates
Lil Rekk - 10ne

From here I'm adding The Musalini & 9th Wonder, Token, and Snowgoons.

reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/s3jvtz/new_music_friday_january_13th_2022/
Albums
NBA Youngboy - Magic
FKA Twigs - CAPRISONGS (featuring The Weeknd, Pa Salieu, Shygirl, Daniel Caesar, Jorja Smith, Unknown T + more)
Cordae - From a Bird's Eye View (featuring Eminem, Stevie Wonder, Lil Wayne, Nas, Lil Durk, Roddy Ricch, Gunna, Freddie Gibbs & H.E.R.)
Paper Route EMPIRE - Long Live Dolph
Bonobo - Fragments (featuring Jamila Woods, Joji, Kadja Bonet, Jordan Rakei, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson & O'Flynn)
Earl Sweatshirt - Sick! (featuring Armand Hammer + more)
The Musalini & 9th Wonder - The Don & Eye (featuring Planet Asia, 38 Spesh + more)
Token - PINK IS BETTER (featuring Rico Nasty, Benny the Butcher, JID, Lil Skies, Digital Nas + more)
​mol$ - misoland
Joey Trap - DR TRAP 2
DigDat - Pain Built
Tobe Nwigwe - THE MONUMINTAL LIVE RECORDING (featuring Bun B, Cyhi Tha Prynce, Royce Da 5'9", Trae tha Truth, Lil 'Keke, Paul Wall, Killa Kyleon, Olu (of EARTHGANG), D Smoke, Fat + more)
Snowgoons - Renaissance Kings (featuring Cappadonna, Bronze Nazareth, Napoleon da Legend, Reef the Lost Cauze, Nems, Sean Price, Ty Farris, Rasheed Chappell, Ransom + more)
Moha MMZ - EUPHORIA
Es-K - In Focus Out
Lil Rekk - 10ONE
Clovis & Camoflauge Monk - Sans Souffrance Ajoutée

EPs
Gunna - DS4EVER (featuring Strick)
ComptonAssTG & Hermanata - Discrepancy (featuring Ray Vaughn + more)
Izaya Tiji - Nevameant2b

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93upmRGRN2M
Early AOTY contender

is cordae going to forever keep rapping about how well received his first album was and how he now has some success?

i dont know if i had listened to fka twigs before but i had seen the name. really enjoyed it.

Not a whole lot. Most excited to check out the Che Noir. I will also check out the Rich Brian and Mello Music Group. Slightly curious about Christina but will probably skip it.

Singles: 2 Chainz, Mary J. Blige.

If there are projects missing from the list below, please post them.

What will you be listening to?

Genius List:
https://genius.com/Genius-january-2022-album-release-calendar-annotated
1/18
Jasiah - Lost Lands vol. 1 - 8/14
Taylor Swift - Red (Taylor’s Version): She Wrote a Song About Me Chapter - EP - 6/6

1/19
AKTHESAVIOR - Second 2 None 2 - 1/16

1/21
AURORA - The Gods We Can Touch - 15/15
Battle Beast - Circus of Doom - 2/10
Ben Abraham - Friendly Fire - 5/14
Billy Talent - Crisis of Faith - 4/10
Christina Aguilera - La Fuerza - EP - 2/6
Giant - Shifting Time
Goodnight, Texas - How Long Will It Take Them to Die - 6/12
Greensky Bluegrass - Stress Dreams
iann dior - on to better things
Jake Xerxes Fussell - Good and Green Again - 4/9
Jazzy Bazz - Memoria
John Mellencamp - Strictly a One-Eyed Jack - 2/12
Keb' Mo' - Good to Be... - 1/13
Kiefer Sutherland - Bloor Street - 2/11
Kyla La Grange - While Your Heart's Still Beating - 2/9
Lane 8 - Reviver - 1/13
Miles Kane - Change the Show - 4/11
Moha MMZ - EUPHORIA - 3/14
NGHTMRE - UNSOUND - EP - 0/4
Penny & Sparrow - Olly Olly
​sgpwes - Luna - 0/8
木村拓哉 - Next Destination - 0/12
Tanya Tagaq - Tongues - 4/10
Teddy Swims - Tough Love - EP - 2/6
The Longest Johns - Smoke & Oakum - 3/14
Walker Hayes - Country Stuff: The Album - 9/13
Yard Act - The Overload - 3/11
Years & Years - Night Call - 4/11
Years & Years - Night Call (Deluxe) - 6/16
YoungBoy Never Broke Again - Colors - 5/20
Young T & Bugsey - Truth Be Told - 4/15

https://genius.com/Genius-january-2022-singles-release-calendar-annotated

Metacritic list:
https://www.metacritic.com/browse/albums/release-date/coming-soon/date?view=detailed
Boris - W
Comeback Kid - Heavy Steps
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - Butterfly 3001
Silverbacks - Archive Material

HipHop DX list:
https://hiphopdx.com/release-dates
1/20
Rich Brian - Brightside

1/21
Paper Route Empire - Long Live Dolph
Mello Music Group - Mandala
Che Noir - Food for Thought
Trae the Truth - The United Streets of America
No Cap - Mr. Crawford

... and jazz playlists. I just realized that Punch (from TDE) formed a collective and put out a project last month, so gonna dive into that too

I think I'm only adding RJ from here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/s9hfnw/new_music_friday_january_21st_2022/

Albums
NBA YoungBoy - Colors (Deluxe) (featuring Quando Rondo)
iann dior - On To Better Things (featuring Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Barker & Machine Gun Kelly)
King Iso - Get Well Soon (featuring Rittz, X-Raided, Twista, Tech N9ne, A-Wax + more)
Young T & Bugsey - Truth Be Told (featuring Unknown T, Nafe Smallz + more)
Almighty - Genelipsis
Slim Thug - BIGslim (featuring Le$)
Rucci - For My Dawgz 2 (featuring AzChike, Baby Stone Gorillas, Cypress Moreno + more)
Mathew - Moves
Elujay - Circmvnt (feautring serpentwithfeet & HXNS)
Vado - Long Run, Vol. 2 (featuring Lloyd Banks, Dave East, Papoose, Don Q, Jim Jones & Dre)
Damedot - The Umbrella Again
Ralfy The Plug - Pastor Ralfy 2 (featuring Drakeo the Ruler, Peezy, Cash Kidd, DB.Boutabag, Bla$ta, Slo-Be, ZayBang, MoneySign$uede + more)
Jam Baxter - Fetch The Poison
Mello Music Group - Mandala (featuring Quelle Chris, Apollo Brown, L'Orange, R.A.P. Ferreira, Oddisee + more)
Footsie - King Original, Vol. 6
Che Noir - Food For Thought (featuring Rome Streetz, 38 Spesh, Ransom, 7xvethegenius & Jynx716)
Jer-Z & J. Pardon - Covered in Clouds (featuring Jarren Benton, Big Cheeko + more)

EPs
Rich Brian - Brightside (featuring Warren Hue)
Paper Route EMPIRE - Long Live Dolph
FAVE - Riddim 5
NorthSideBenji - NorthSideTerrorists (featuring Pressa, Houdini & Malik Buxton)
Sybyr - Months Before American Bipolar
645AR - Unorthodox
Hook - Rent Free Mixtape
RJ Payne - Beautiful Payne 4 (featuring King Iso + more)
Bear1Boss - Quicc Picc 3
Airplane James - Who Tf is Airplane James 2 (featuring Bino Rideaux, Problem & Bad Lucc)
5an - 5nB
Baby Kevo - Solus (featuring BabySantana)

First month basically over. I'll be checking out EARTHGANG and KYLE from these.

For singles I'll be checking out Denzel Curry, Gucci Mane, Toro y Moi and Ella Mai.

If there are projects missing from the list below, please post them.

What will you be listening to?

Genius List:
https://genius.com/Genius-january-2022-album-release-calendar-annotated
1/22
宇多田ヒカル (Hikaru Utada) - BADモード - 14/14
Afourteen - Black Flamingo - 7/7
Jamie Webster - Moments - 4/10

1/26
Ado - 狂言 - 14/14
BlocBoy JB - Bacc 2 Da Bloc - 4/15
Doe Boy - OH REALLY - 10/19
緑黄色社会 - Actor - 7/14

1/28
Andrew Star - Infinity (Alternate World) - 8/12
Aaron Lewis - Frayed at Both Ends - 2/13
Alice Glass - PREY//IV - 4/13
Amber Mark - Three Dimensions Deep - 4/17
Babyface Ray - FACE - 2/20
Bad Suns - Apocalypse Whenever - 13/13
Bakar - Nobody's Home - 2/14
Beirut - Artifacts - 12/26
Brent Cobb - And Now, Let's Turn to Page... - 2/9
DC the Don - My Own Worst 3nemy
Dro Kenji - WITH OR WITHOUT YOU - 15/15
EARTHGANG - Ghetto Gods
Eels - Extreme Witchcraft - 2/12
Eli Sostre - 566 - 3/3
Eric Gales - Crown
Highasakite - Mother - 10/10
HRVY - Views from the 23rd Floor - EP - 1/5
Jaymes Young - Feel Something (Deluxe) - 15/15
Jethro Tull - The Zealot Gene - 2/12
Kaaris & Kalash Criminel - SVR
Karpe - Omar Sheriff - 6/6
KYLE - It's Not So Bad - 11/11
Maverick Sabre - Don't Forget to Look Up - 3/12
MØ - Motordrome - 4/10
NEIKED, Mae Muller & Polo G - Better Days - EP - 4/4
Nija - Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You - 3/10
NLE Choppa - Me vs. Me - 6/16
NOW That’s What I Call Music! - NOW That’s What I Call Music! Vol. 81 - 21/21
Our Lady Peace - Spiritual Machines II
Pink Sweat$ - Pink Moon - 8/8
Pinegrove - 11:11 - 7/11
Samm Henshaw - Untidy Soul - 4/16
Sebastián Yatra - Dharma - 10/17
Since99 - 99 Overall 2 - ?/?
Sinéad Harnett - Ready Is Always Too Late (Deluxe) - 13/14
SLUMBERJACK - DICHOTOMY - 6/12
The Longest Johns - Smoke & Oakum
wylie hopkins - On the Way Out - EP - 3/8

https://genius.com/Genius-january-2022-singles-release-calendar-annotated

Metacritic list:
https://www.metacritic.com/browse/albums/release-date/coming-soon/date?view=detailed
Anaïs Mitchell - Anaïs Mitchell
John Mayall - The Sun is Shining Down
St. Paul & the Broken Bones - The Alien Coast
Urge Overkill - Oui

HipHop DX list:
https://hiphopdx.com/release-dates
1/23
Hook - From, Hook

1/24
Na-Kel Smith - Skullface Bonehead

1/27
XanMan - Rap Like Rent Due

1/28
FMB DZ - Back on Track

From here I am checking out Raheem DeVaughn & Bee Boy$oul, maybe Canibus and Your Old Droog & Tha God Fahim. I'll probably check out the new songs from the deluxe Rick Ross, AZ and Sinéad Harnett.

https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/seiopn/new_music_friday_january_28th_2022/
Albums
NLE Choppa - Me vs. Me (featuring Young Thug, Polo G, G Herbo & Moneybagg Yo)
KYLE - IT'S NOT SO BAD
The Temptations - Temptations 60 (featuring Smokey Robinson)
PnB Rock - SoundCloud Daze* (featuring Pasta Flocco, Yung Fazo, Yxng Chris + more)
BlocBoy JB & Tay Keith - Bacc 2 Da Bloc (featuring EST Gee, Pooh Shiesty, SpotemGottem & Co Cash)
Maverick Sabre - Don't Forget To Look Up
Amber Mark - Three Dimensions Deep
Babyface Ray - FACE (featuring Pusha T, Yung Lean, G Herbo, 42 Dugg, Wiz Khalifa, Icewear Vezzo & Landstrip Chip)
Dro Kenji - With Or Without You
Kaaris & Kalash Criminel - SVR
Samm Henshaw - Untidy Soul (featuring Tobe Nwigwe, Maverick Sabre & Keyon Harrold)
Lady Wray - Piece of Me
Steel Banglez - The Playlist (featuring Giggs, Tion Wayne + more)
Doe Boy - Oh Really (featuring Lil Uzi Vert, Moneybagg Yo, Roddy Ricch, G Herbo, 42 Dugg, Nardo Wick, Ty Dolla $ign, Babyface Ray, Vory + more)
Nija - Don't Say I Didn't Warn You
Raheem DeVaughn & Bee Boy$oul - Back 2 Love
Quin Omerta & Rot Ken - No Co-Sign
DJ Candlestick & The Chopstars - Purple Dawn FM (ChopNotSlop Remix)*
Canibus - One Step Closer to Infinity
XanMan - Rap Like the Rent Due
David Shawty - Psycho Nitemare (Creepypasta Love Story)
Hook - From, Hook (featuring ZelooperZ, Nedarb + more)
Equipto & Brycon - Can't Stay Perched All The Time
Allen Love & Safari Williams - Live at The Grid
Diesle D-Power - Graphene, Vol. 1 (featuring D Double E, Manga Saint Hilare, Frisco, Big Narstie, Jammer, President T, Footsie, Jammz + more)
Ill Conscious & Mute Won - Acres of Diamonds (featuring Rome Streetz, Planet Asia + more)
S. Reidy - An Album, With Songs (featuring Open Mike Eagle)
Nowaah The Flood & D-Styles – Creme De La Creme (The Remixes)*
PENGSHUi - Destroy Yourself (featuring P Money)
Madhattan & Spanish Ran - Dark Times of Mike Dowd* (featuring UFO Fev + more)

EPs/Deluxes
Rick Ross - Richer Than I Ever Been (Deluxe) (featuring AZ & Anderson .Paak)
Sinéad Harnett - Ready is Always Too Late (Deluxe)
JayDaYoungan - Scarred
glaive - old dog, new tricks
Your Old Droog & Tha God Fahim - Wall St 2
Tony Shhnow & GRiMM DOZA - Kill Streak 2 (Deluxe)
Lando Chill - If im Being Honest
Na-Kel Smith - SKULLFACE BONEHEAD
NAPPYNAPPA - Hell of a Nyt

https://youtu.be/tEPEqZnTwdo

Datall

clear hip-hop influence on some of the drums and bass lines, the Mary J vibes are definitely there for me

What were your favorite projects/songs from January? Any potential AOTY contenders?

For me the only one that I think is on that level is a 4 song EP. Phro. & Guilty Simpson - Guilty By Association. I hope they have more music together coming.

Any albums I'm sleeping on? This is what I checked out and my ratings for whatever they're worth. I am known to be overly generous. I switched to a 10 point scale with hopes that it will help me rate things more realistically. I would say it's fair to subtract 0.5 to 1.0 pt from my ratings. Typically a 9.5 and above is AOTY contender level. Since these are just ratings based on my first listen I do expect they will all fall some after more listens.

Phro. & Guilty Simpson - Guilty By Association (EP) 10.000
Raheem DeVaughn & Bee Boy$oul - Back 2 Love 9.625
Cordae - From a Birds Eye View 9.556
Sinéad Harnett - Ready is Always Too Late (Deluxe) 9.333
Rick Ross - Richer Than I Ever Been (Deluxe) 9.222
The Weeknd - Dawn FM 9.056
Your Old Droog & Tha God Fahim - Tha Wolf On Wall St 2: The American Dream 9.000
Kota the Friend - Lyrics to GO, Vol. III 8.850
KYLE - It's Not So Bad 8.758
Earl Sweatshirt - Sick! 8.750
Che Noir - Food For Thought 8.593
Mello Music Group - Mandala 8.578
2 Chainz - Million Dollars Worth of Game (EP) 8.278
The Musalini & 9th Wonder - The Don & Eye 8.273
FKA twigs - CAPRISONGS 8.214
Bonobo - Fragments 8.030
Papoose - December 7.111
RJ Payne - Beautiful Payne 4 7.000
Killah Priest - The Three Fantastic Supermen Epics (EP) 7.000
Rich Brian - Brightside (EP) 6.667
Token - PINK IS BETTER 6.463
FNKPMPN - Subatomic 5.583
Gunna - DS4EVER 5.404

Forgot to share my playlist. I need to set up the sync for Spotify (if they're not cancelled) I have the same username there.

2022 Favs - I'll keep adding to this as the year goes on. I'll remove songs I get tired of.
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe_Vl0p1Py7cgYLYMWpYqYUUiqgNeLMA5&feature=share

2022 January - This has any songs I think are worth checking out. I basically add anything I want to check out to it then listen and remove anything I'm not feeling. I'm going to give it another listen so I will probably remove more songs from it. After that I probably won't go back to it much. I'll start a new one for each month. Might combine them into quarters as the year goes on.
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe_Vl0p1Py7fY4w-EinSWETgZWpbuKE4U&feature=share

Anyone else have playlists they wanna share?

An artist to watch this year
Album is a bop.