There's some stuff out there for sure -- already knew a few things were dropping but even bigger than I thought:
FKA twigs - CAPRISONGS Bonobo - Fragments Earl - SICK! Cordae - From a Bird's Eye View (this was a surprise!) The Musalini & 9th Wonder - The Don & Eye
On the rock-ish side, there's a rarities/b-sides collection from Broken Social Scene, a covers album from Cat Power (say what?!) ... yeah, a lot out today. I haven't been listening to music much at all the past few weeks but I think this will jump start the year for me.
What's everyone checking for? That new FKA Twigs is first up for me (already sounding stellar).
So, I'm a CARRTOONS stan. His production led by his bass are amazing. Again, I can't recommend his Saturday Mornings album enough. So when I heard he was dropping something today, I was kinda hype.
Buuuut, I'm not a big fan of Yoh. I skimmed through the album and MAN, I wish somebody else was rhyming on this. The grooves are there and I may end up copping but...eh.
Singles I checked out: 50 Cent Power - Power Powder Respect Good beat but not really liking the verses or hooks. I can see it becoming catchy though.
Cautious Clay - Rapture In Blue This was cool and I would recommend checking out.
YoungBoy Never Broke Again - Bring the Hook Glad I stumbled on this, couldn't find his album so I checked out the single and now I have no interest in the album lol Not for me at all.
EARTHGANG - All Eyes on Me Wasn't feeling this.
Jack White - Love Is Selfish Eh.
JID - Surround Sound The sample is reason enough to check it out but it loses steam towards the end.
Joey Bada$$ - THE REV3NGE I liked this, worth checking out.
Robert Glasper - Black Superhero (ft Killer Mike, BJ The Chicago Kid, Big Krit) I really liked this. Definitely recommend it.
Phro. & Guilty Simpson - In the House Guilty just doesn't miss. Is this from a new album? Definitely recommend this song too.
Albums I'm planning to check out: Bonobo - Fragments Cordae - From a Birds Eye View Earl Sweatshirt - Sick! FKA twigs - CAPRISONGS Kota the Friend - Lyrics to GO, Vol. III The Musalini & 9th Wonder - The Don & Eye Token - PINK IS BETTER
5. "some initial listening thoughts" In response to Reply # 0
Bonobo - sick, as expected. Will take some time to sink in but a top-to-bottom listen.
Cordae - didn't know this was dropping. I really liked his debut overall and had high hopes for his full-length follow-up but ... this really didn't do much for me on first listen, and I flat out skipped a few tracks (I think I got 30 seconds into the track w/Gunna, lol -- that shit was super sloppy). And I hate to say it, but what made him attractive as a lyricist early on in terms of thematic content (honesty, self-awareness, even a bit of vulnerability) is getting to feel a bit gimmicky/emo for him at this point. But first listen and there's enough here to give it more time.
Musalini/9th - some of these beats are the best I've heard from 9th in a while, so why the f did he waste them on Musalini? Have some self-respect, lol. If this were a beat tape, I'd be all about it. As it is, this is pretty forgettable. (Is that a khruangbin sample on the first or second track, the guitar-laced one? Or am I just starting to think every guitar track today sounds like a Khruangbin sample?)