Days N’ Daze – Crustfall

Houston punk band Days N’ Daze return with their seventh album four years after their under-underground masterpiece Rogue Taxidermy. With a DIY aesthetic and a blending of folk, punk, indie, ska, and just about any other genre you could think of, lead singers/former lovers and multi-instrumentalists Jesse Sendejas and Whitney Flynn have been making intimate music that reaches aggressive highs and sensitive lows. The lead single from their last alum, “Misanthropic Drunken Loner“, achieved the band some more attention, but recent love from Noisey and other blogs might help Crustfall bring Days N’ Daze to new heights. The band is also embarking on a massive North American tour, so try to catch them at a city near you. The album includes features from several underground artists, including Leftover Crack’s Scott Sturgeon. Crustfall picks up where Rogue Taxidermy left off, juxtaposing growly misanthropic punk with evocative lyrics and moments of stunning poignancy.

Drake – More Life: A Playlist by October Firm

There’s now way you haven’t heard of this album playlist already. Toronto’s Drake retains his superstar status with the followup to last year’s underwhelming Views, but unlike his last project, this one doesn’t disappoint. The playlist incorporates elements of hip hop, R&B, grime, afrobeat, dancehall, and a dozen other elements influenced by Drake’s recent world tour and penchant for drawing heavily from outside styles and genres. Kanye West, Skepta, Young Thug, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, Quavo, Giggs and more all appear on the sprawling, 22-track project. Expect to hear more about this album from me soon, particularly regarding how More Life picks up Drake’s legacy far more than Views ever could.

Fucked Up – Year of the Snake

Ontario punk outfit Fucked Up are one of Canada’s last great post-punk bands, filling the hole left by Alexisonfire’s retirement in 2009. Their 2011 concept-album masterpiece David Comes to Life is a classic in the post-punk/screamo genre, and their 2009 album The Chemistry of Common Life awarded the band the prestigious Polaris Music Prize. Year of the Snake is the eighth installment of their acclaimed Zodiac series of EP/singles. The title track clocks in 24 minutes long, and ruminates on the topic of “how to die, or how to think about dying“, according to lead guitarist 10,000 Marbles (a.k.a. Mike Haliechuk).

Goldlink – At What Cost

Goldlink’s And After That, We Didn’t Talk was one of 2015’s most underrated albums, a bouncy, intricate, exciting album that’s a perfect summer soundtrack. Today, the DC rapper returns with his second album, At What Cost, continuing his penchant for blending genres into a totally unique sound. Much of his influence is drawn from the DC tradition of go-go, an interactive, danceable subgenre of hip hop that draws heavily from elements of funk. Steve Lacy, Wale, April George, Ciscero, and Kaytranada all appear on the 14-track project, which is way better than its terrible album art (trust me). Unfortunately, Goldlink’s recent studio time with André 3000 didn’t yield any new verses from the elusive Atlanta veteran, but just the fact that Goldlink has 3stack’s approval should prove that he’s a name worth watching.

The Jesus & Mary Chain – Damage & Joy

The Jesus & Mary Chain were a forerunning group in the underground rock movement of the 80s that lead directly to the alternative rock trends that totally characterised the 90s (similar to acts like the Pixies or Guided by Voices). Just read any interview with Dan Bejar or Carl Newman on the Scottish rock band to hear how influential their 1985 debut Psychocandy was on the culture. Damage & Joy is the Jesus & Mary Chain’s first album in 19 years, and finds the group collaborating with producer Youth (of the Killing Joke and Fireman).

Mansionz – Mansionz

It was only a matter of time before Mike Posner and blackbear got together to form a band. The two of them made a colossal amount of money together after co-writing Justin Bieber’s first hit “Baby”, and have gone on to collaborate several times since (“Marauder Music”, “Obvious”, “Anyone But Me”, etc.). Their collaborative project, known as Mansionz, was first introduced with “Shut Up”, a relentlessly catchy single that featured none other than Spark Master Tape. The duo followed up with “Rich White Girls” and “Dennis Rodman” (which actually features Dennis Rodman), and through a relentless social media presence managed to rack up an insane fanbase. Their debut project Greatest Hitz also features G-Eazy, CyHi the Prynce, and Soren Bryce. The finished product may not live up to the hype of the singles, but it’s certainly an interesting project (particularly the six-minute poem “I’m Thinking About Horses”).

Mike WiLL Made-It – Ransom 2

Incredibly versatile producer Mike WiLL Made-It has been one of the industry’s biggest players for years now, being behind the boards of massive hits like Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles”, Kanye’s “Mercy”, Juicy J’s “Bandz A Make Her Dance”, and the unorthodox Lil Yachty and Carly Rae Jepsen collaborative cover of “It Takes Two”. Following up 2014’s Ransom, Mike WiLL’s sequel contains an incredible list of featured artists: Kendrick Lamar, Gucci Mane, and Rae Sremmurd have a song together, and Rihanna, Future, Lil Wayne, Pharrell, Big Sean, Lil Yachty, Young Thug, 2 Chainz, YG, Migos, Chief Keef, and more are all involved.

Mount Eerie – A Crow Looked At Me

Former Microphones frontman Phil Elvrum started side project Mount Eerie in 2005 after his previous band broke up, and seven albums later he’s released his most harrowing project to date. Recently, Elvrum’s wife, poet and artist Geneviève Castrée, tragically passed away of pancreatic cancer, leaving behind Elvrum and their infant child. A Crow Looked At Me is Elvrum’s grieving process in audio form, which he’s described as “barely music… It’s just me speaking her name out loud, her memory”. This is an album that will tug at your very soul, from an acclaimed musician struggling to put his grief into words.

On Cue – Perfectly, Tragically, Flawed

Brooklyn rapper On Cue’s impressive abilities to attract the attention of wildly influential producer Just Blaze, who was largely behind his last two projects Angry Young Man and You Knew All Along. On Cue’s latest project, Perfectly, Tragically, Flawed, all but one track have production from Blaze. The six-track EP also includes some unorthodox features, from Colorado rock group Night Beds, and electronic DJ Dntel, who’s mostly known for his work as half of the Postal Service with Ben Gibbard.

Raekwon – The Wild 

Wu-Tang’s Raekwon returns with his seventh solo project of intricately narrative street raps. The Chef’s first album since 2015’s Fly International Luxurious Art is one of his most well-regarded in years (collaboration with G-Eazy aside). Lil Wayne, CeeLo Green, Andra Day, and P.U.R.E. all showed up for Raekwon’s new album.

 

 

WebsterX – Daymares

Recent Closed Sessions signee WebsterX arrives with his long-awaited debut album. Surprisingly, none of his the other singer/rappers on his label (Jamila Woods, Kweku Collins, and Kipp Stone) appear on the project, but in-house producers Boathouse and Odd Couple both provided beats for the 15-track project. R&B quarter DEM YUUT are the album’s only feature.

 

24hrs – Not Open Late

Atlanta’s 24hrs, who capitalised on the anonymous R&B singer craze of the past few years with projects Open and 12:AM, has returned with another EP. Along with PnB Rock, Madeintyo, and Salma Sims, the five-track project also includes a remix of 24hrs’ recent hit “VSVSVS” with Rick Ross.

 

 

Also released:

Corpus, Corpus I: Death Grips-esque industrial rap, featuring Denzel Curry, Mal Devisa, and more.
Keisha Chante, Unbound 01: Ciara kinda vibes.
Louis the Child, Love Is Alive: A new EP from the rising electronic producer, which includes a collaboration with Elohim.
Lud Foe, Get Well Foe: Lud Foe follows up his acclaimed No Hooks project with a new mixtape.
Rich the Kid, Rich Forever Way: Quality control favourite Rich the Kid returns with another new project, but still hasn’t dropped his rumored collaboration with Frank Ocean.
Tate Kobang, Silent Waves: Remember “Bank Rolls“? He’s still around.
Trey Songz, Tremaine: 15 tracks of pure babymaking music.
Troy Ave, Dope Boy Troy: Iiiiit’s another Troy Ave mixtape. I don’t know what else to say.