With my weekly New Music Fridays column, I’m able to celebrate the release of full music projects, but this doesn’t give a lot of room to celebrate all the incredible music that gets released before, after, or inbetween full albums. On Singles of the Month, I’ll take a bit of time every thirty days or so to celebrate all the noteworth singles, loosies, and remixes of the past month. Check out October’s top 20 below:

Action Bronson – “Durag vs. Headband (feat. Big Body Bes)”

Action Bronson has been busy with multiple TV shows on Viceland (Fuck, That’s Delicious and Action Bronson Watches Ancient Aliens), so its understandable that his latest mixtape keeps getting held back. Fans are still eager for Blue Chips 7000, though, so Action delivered with “Durag vs. Headband”, featuring the chef-turned-rapper’s signature braggadocio, laden with humor and food puns. Knxwledge (fresh off his NxWorries collaboration with Anderson .Paak) provides the beat, and frequent Action collaborator Big Body Bes provides the simple, yet eloquent, hook: “When I die, make sure you spread my blood on a BMW”.

Alicia Keys – “Blended Family (feat. A$AP Rocky)”

Alicia Keys seems to be gearing up to a new album with a string of new releases; foremost among them is “Blended Family”. The heartfelt track details Keys’ relationship with her stepson, a child from husband Swizz Beatz’ previous marriage, and A$AP Rocky shows up for quick verse about growing up in a constantly shifting family. The simplistic, piano-and-guitar instrumentation allows Alicia’s vocals to fly, and provides a welcomed shift from the pop-heavy music of her previous work.

Big K.R.I.T. – “Free Agent”

Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T. had a very strained and  relationship with Def Jam, and he and the label parted ways in July (after K.R.I.T. released his #12For12 freestyle compilation). “Free Agent” was a rallying cry back to the old K.R.I.T., one who was free to do what he wanted with a track without management input, and in typically outspoken K.R.I.T. fashion, the cover art for the single featured a letter from Def Jam indicating the end of his contract.

Drake – “Sneakin’ (feat. 21 Savage)”

For his 29th birthday, Drake took to his OVO Sound radio show on Apple Music to announce a new project, More Life, due this December. Of the four tracks he debuted during that show, “Sneakin'” was the obvious standout. While many of Drake’s latest releases sound stale or phoned-in, “Sneakin” featured a sinister London On Da Track beat, a standout verse from young Savage, and Drake’s vaguely monotone delivery of lines like “if the devil’s in the details, then I’m satanic”. Hopefully Drake’s willing to take risks like this on his upcoming project, rather than sticking to the same formulaic writing that cursed Views.

Eminem – “Campaign Speech”

I’ve documented my issues with Eminem’s new single, but there’s no denying that it’s one of the month’s most well-written songs. Em’s flow is incomparable, and after his uninspiring last album, The Mathers LP II, he’s going to have to shape up in order to prove why he’s still relevant in 2016.

Frank Leone – “Cocaine for Kids (feat. Monster Mike)”

Frank Leone’s 2015 album EnterWILD was one of my favourites from last year: an underreported Chicago rap album that featured unique production and sampling, excellent contributions from the likes of theMind and Saba, and served as a brilliant debut from the underground rapper. “Cocaine For Kids” is the second single off Leone’s as-yet-untitled sophomore album (after early single “Loser”), and while the slower sound is a divergence from previous projects like last October’s Death Grips, the incredible production and standout Monster Mike verse help create a sonic experience that will grow on you like moss.

Goldlink – “Untitled (feat. Isaiah Rashad)”

Speaking of my favourite projects of 2015, Goldlink’s And After That We Didn’t Talk was another standout album of the year. His bouncing, soul-inspired sound was refreshingly original, and all of his singles this year (including “Fall in Love” and “Rough Soul”) have pointed to his next project surpassing his previous one. “Untitled” is no exception, a laid-back cut with TDE’s Isaiah Rashad that showcases the impressive lyrical abilities of both artists.

Goodbye Tomorrow – “Every Day”

Nobody really knows who Chicago rap collective Goodbye Tomorrow really are, but their last two projects, A Journey Through the Mind of a Non-Believer and ;;;tunnel stripe exit ramp, introduced the world to a futuristic, industrial-inspired rap group capable of pumping out banger after banger. “Every Day” is their first release since exit ramp, and it’s a continuation of their inexplicable sound.

Joey Bada$$ – “Front & Centre”

Joey Bada$$ is still riding high off a very well-received major label debut (with B4.Da.$$) and a recurring role on Mr. Robot, but the 21-year-old rapper is showing no signs of slowing down. As he finishes work on his “hella vegetables” new album, Bada$$ took the time to flip the Narcos theme song on its head to turn into his new song, “Front & Centre”, a laid-back track that shows off complicated wordplay.

Kami – “Home Movies”

SaveMoney member Kami has been mostly silent since releasing Season, his collaborative project with Joey Purp as Leather Corduroys. “Home Movies” is his first release in a couple of years, but the Knox Fortune-produced track is an exciting indication of things to come. With synth-heavy production and 80s pop percussion, it recalls tracks like Leather Corduroys’ “Remember Me” or Towkio’s “Free Your Mind”, and the 80s-inspired music video (featuring Joey Purp and Vic Mensa) is the perfect accompaniment to “Home Movies”.

Kitty – “Asari Love Song”

Florida rapper Kitty his been working on her debut studio album, Miami Garden Club, for a few years now, and the only tracks fans have heard from it both appeared on Adult Swim’s Single Program. Like last year’s “Drink Tickets”, Kitty seems to be distancing herself from her earlier cloud rap aesthetic for a far more pop-inspired, Brittney Spears-meets-Abba type of sound.

Migos – “Money Counter (feat. Dirty Dave)”

Despite issues with their label that’s holding up their next album, Culture, Migos were able to sneak out this banger, with a feature from South Carolina rapper Dirty Dave. “Money Counter” sounds like a return to the golden age of Migos (2013-4, see YRN and No Label 2), so hopefully Culture will overcome the stagnancy that’s left their last few releases underwhelming.

Obongjayar – “Creeping”

Obongjayar seemed to come out of nowhere, but his debut single “Creeping” is already climbing the charts. The NY rapper’s soulful, minimalist track is delivered in a rough, yet hushed voice as Obongjayar critiques the people of his city; the music video, directed by Frank Lebon, is a the entire 90s conscious-rap aesthetic. With a cosign from King Krule, Obongjayar has the potential to go very far.

Rich Chigga – “Dat $tick (Remix feat. Pouya & Ghostface Killah)”

Nobody seems entirely sure what to make of 17-year-old, former vine star, Rich Chigga (born Brian Imanuel), but his viral hit “Dat $tick” does seem to indicate that the kid can rap. With cosigns from both hip hop veteran Ghostface Killah and underground underdog Pouya, as well as help from popular hip hop production company 88rising, Rich Chigga’s career seems only to be beginning.

Robin Thicke – “Deep (feat. Nas)”

After his last big single, “Blurred Lines”, was hit with rape-promoting allegations and a handful of lawsuits, it was going to take a lot for Robin Thicke to attract anything but derision. With “Deep”, however, Thicke managed to get one of rap’s biggest names to deliver one of his best verses in years. Nas comes through with a political verse on cop killings and Donald Trump. Thicke’s vocals are negligible, but Nas continues to build hype for his upcoming 11th album.

Run the Jewels – “Talk To Me”

Consisting of rapper Killer Mike and rapper/producer El-P, Run the Jewels is the biggest rap duo in the world right now. Their 2014 album RTJ2 was immediate classic, and expectations are high for their followup. “Talk to Me” is the first singe off RTJ3, released through Adult Swim, and it’s exactly what fans could’ve expected: a brutal, rallying war-cry of a track that promises a refinement of the band’s signature sound.

Tech N9ne – “Sriracha (feat. Logic & Joyner Lucas)”

Tech N9ne’s been gearing up for his upcoming 32-track double album The Storm by releasing a handful of singles over the past couple weeks. Linking Tech with fellow speed rapper Logic only makes sense, but it’s Joyner Lucas who steals the show on Sriracha with a blistering verse.

T-Pain – “Dan Bilzerian (feat. Lil Yachty)”

T-Pain and Yachty just feels like a match made in heaven: both have been accused of ruining hip hop, and both have an uncanny proclivity for crafting hits. For their first collaboration, off T-Pain’s forthcoming new album, T-Pain brags about having “ten Brazilians like Dan Bilzerian” (of Instagram fame) and tells hoes to “sick a duck” while Yachty drops a quick four-bar about Michael Jackson and Chamillionaire.

Twista – “Next To You (feat. Jeremih)”

Twista and Jeremih have been collaborating for a while (Twista appeared on both Late Nights and Late Nights With Jeremih), and their latest track proves that the two Chicagoans are a good fit. Jeremih sings over the Rose Royce-sampling hook, while Twista gets flirtatious on the track.

YG – “One Time Comin'”

YG is quickly becoming the most political rapper in the mainstream, a modern day Ice Cube who’s taken the fight against police brutality on his back. “One Time Comin'”, his first track since releasing Still Brazy (one of the year’s most political albums), was released “in loving memory of the victims of police brutality”, and finds the Compton rapper dissecting how quickly interactions between black people and the police become violent (all over a stellar g-funk beat).