As the third quarter of 2016 comes to a close, we’re treated to some of the year’s most anticipated albums. Check them out below:

Aesop Rock & Homeboy Sandman – Lice 2: Still Buggin’

Stones Throw rapper Aesop Rock has been a celebrated lyrical mastermind since breaking out in ’98, blowing fans and critics away with his vocabulary and verbosity. Following up April’s The Impossible Kid, Aesop’s seventh album, Aesop Rock and Queens rapper Homeboy Sandman released Lice 2: Still Buggin’, a sequel to last year’s collaborative EP Lice.

Bon Iver – 22, A Million

Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon has been relatively quiet since releasing the band’s Grammy-winning sophomore album Bon Iver in 2012, but the man Kanye declared his “favorite living artist” has made a few choice appearances (on albums like Yeezus and Farewell, Starlite!). This was, apparently, due to a general apathy with the way he made music, and 22, a Million is Vernon’s way of changing up his sound. It’s an album that makes as much use of synths and prismizers as it does the general introspective folkiness that coloured previous Bon Iver records, and a fascination with numbers (particularly 22) ties the record together in a common theme.

Danny Brown – Atrocity Exhibition

In a quintessential Danny Brown move, Atrocity Exhibition was actually dropped three days earlier than expected because he “couldn’t wait any longer“. The work on this album is probably Danny’s best, a carnival ride of terrifying experiences, harrowing drug trips and lyrical mastery that puts him among the best rappers out there today. Althouth it features Earl Sweatshirt, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul (all on standout posse cut “Really Doe”), as well as Petite Noir, Kelela, and B-Real, the album is totally Danny’s own. Check it out on iTunes.

Dave East – Kairi Chanel

Following a lucrative deal with Def Jam, XXL Freshman Dave East follows up his acclaimed Hate Me Now mixtape (which featured, among others, Nas and Pusha T) with Kairi Chanel, his eleventh release. The fifteen track album, released through Mass Appeal, includes features from Cam’ron, 2 Chainz, Fabolous, Sevyn Streeter, and more.

DJ Mustard – Cold Summer

The recent rift between DJ Mustard and YG felt similar to the current one between Cudi and Kanye, but thankfully the Compton hit-making producer/rapper combo have resolved their differences: on top of recording a joint album together sometime in the near future, YG shows up for three songs on Mustard’s own Cold Summer album. Also along for the ride are Nicki Minaj, Quavo, Young Thug, Nipsey Hussle, Jeezy, Meek Mill, Ty Dolla $ign, Rick Ross, and John Legend on what’s sure to be an album full of bangers.

 

Kid Cudi – Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’

Like – Songs Made While High

Like started out as one third of Pac Div, a rap trio that was an early pioneer of the whole “internet rap” subgenre. After his brother Mibbs dropped Killer of Sheep last week, Like released his third project, titled Songs Made While High, on Soundcloud and iTunes. The sole feature is Anderson .Paak, who provides his characteristic soul to early standout “Mission Road”.

Mr. Oizo – All Wet

French producer Mr. Oizo has been around for over a decade and a half, but most of his acclaim came from his work on Uffie’s Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans. All Wet is his sixth solo album, and features Skrillex, Charli XCX, Peaches, Phra, Mocky, and more. Check out the album’s excellent trailer video (directed by Mr. Oizo), which features Flying Lotus as “Fake Skrillex”.

My Guy Mars – No Days Off

Part of the 1500 or Nothin’ collective (a team of videographers, rappers, singers, producers, and writers who’ve worked with everyone from Kanye to Bieber) and production company Smash Factory (with Lil C and T.I.), Lamar Edwards has returned with his third project, titled No Days Off. Funnily enough, Edwards’ last album was titled My Guy Mars and released under the name Marz, but now he’s decided to take on the mxitape title as his new moniker. No Days Off features T.I., James Fauntleroy, Kurupt, Ty Dolla $ign, and many more.

Solange – A Seat at the Table

Solange is a singer, model, actress, and Beyoncé’s younger sister, and today she’s released A Seat at the Table, her fourth studio album since breaking out in 2003. It’s an ambitiously long album (21 tracks, although eight of those are skits), but she’s brought along an all-star collective of features: Lil Wayne, BJ The Chicago Kid, Sampha, The-Dream, Kelela, and even the elusive Q-Tip showed up for the Houston songstresses’s latest release.

Twelve’Len – Fri(end)s

Singer/rapper got a few key placements on Denzel Curry’s latest albums, but now the Florida artist has dropped his debut project Fri(end)s on Soundcloud. The twelve track project features JK The Reaper, Sand Kastles, and Savannah Christina.

Various Artists – The Birth of a Nation: The Inspired By Album

Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation quickly became one of the most acclaimed Sundance films ever, but the film’s since been mired in controversy with rape allegations against Parker dating back to 1999. Today saw the release of an Inspired By album based on the film, and it features, among others, 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, Vic Mensa, Killer Mike, Wale, Nas, the Game, Pusha T, Meek Mill, and Leon Bridges.

 

Also released: Banks, The Altar; Gods Wisdom, Self Restraint; The Pixies, Head Carrier; Regina Spektor, Remember Us To Life; Soulja Boy, King Soulja 6