In case last night’s music drop wasn’t enough for you — with new songs from Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige x Kanye West, Calvin Harris x Young Thug x Pharrell x Ariana Grande, Joey Bada$$ x ScHoolboy Q, Ludacris x Ty Dolla $ign, and Logic — here’s the week’s new albums.

Amir Obè – None of the Clocks Work

Toronto’s Amir Obè has always had close ties to OVO, despite never signing (For example, PARTYNEXTDOOR had two songs on his first album, Happening in the Gray Area). Following up last year’s quietly excellent Won’t Find Love in the Hills EP, Obè’s returned with a seven-track, featureless EP. Expect more of that moody Toronto R&B sound, from somebody who has the benefit of not actually being locked into OVO’s hit-factory-formula.

Aimee Mann – Mental Illness

Like many people, I first heard of Aimee Mann on the soundtrack to Paul Thomas Anderson’s underrated masterpiece Magnolia, with William H. Macy’s surreal lip-synching of “Save Me” being just one of many strange moments in the film. At 56 years old, folk-rock singer/songwriter Aimee Mann is now nine albums into her solo career, and she’s still sounding as skilled and intimate as ever, with Mental Illness garnering her excellent reviews everywhere.

Bob Dylan – Triplicate

For his thirty-eighth album, the American legend and recent Nobel Prize-winner decided to drop a thirty-track, three-disc covers album of ‘classic American songs’. I’m not sure if there’s a reason to listen to Bob Dylan’s music if it’s not written by him (it’s certainly not for his singing voice, especially at 75 years of age), but the man’s at a point in his career where he can do whatever he wants. This is definitely a passion project for hardcore fans will enjoy.

Chuuwee – Paradiso

Underground rapper Chuuwee’s latest album is the beginning of his most ambitious project to date. Paradiso is the first in a five-album cycle that’s supposed to represent the transition from paradise to dystopia. This album chronicles an Uber ride in which Chuuwee and his driver discuss issues of education, race, politics, and police brutality, as the world begins to fall apart around them. It’s a massive undertaking, but very exciting for an underrated lyricist out to prove himself.

Destructo – Renegade EP

HARD Events CEO and electronic DJ Destructo (aka Gary Richards) returns with his fourth EP, combining EDM and hip hop in a surprisingly excellent way. Renegade is a mix of old and new tracks from Destructo, with features from Freddie Gibbs, Pusha T, E-40, Ty Dolla $ign, Problem, ILoveMakonnen, Too $hort, and Starrah.

 

Freddie Gibbs – You Only Live 2wice

I wrote about Gibbs’ return recently, after a lengthy rape case (for which he was completely acquitted) kept him away from the stage and studio for the majority of 2016. Never one to waste time, however, Gibbs is back with a new project, and he’s sounding like he never left. You Only Live 2wice is Gibbs at his most unadulterated, providing some of his most personal and straightforward music to date. He’s returned from jail a more hardened artist, and there’s no radio single on this project: Freddie Gibbs is back with a vengeance, and he hasn’t got any time for bullshit. Nothing’s safe from Gibbs’ pen, especially the court case that robbed him of his time, reputation, and closeness to his family. There’s also a couple of brief but sentimental messages from the late Big Time Watts, Gibbs’ uncle who passed away recently (fans may remember him from “Watts”, off Pinata, and from his many appearances on Gibbs’ Vine account). You Only Live 2wice is the perfect comeback record from one of the best MCs in the game, and I’m very excited for what the rest of the year will hold (notably, Bandana (with Madlib) and Fetti (witn Curren$y)).

G-Eazy & Carnage – Step Brothers

Longtime friends and collaborators, Bay Area rapper G-Eazy and EDM/hip hop producer Carnage teamed up for a four-track EP that they reportedly recorded in two nights. Thirty Rack, Smokepurpp, and 24hrs appear on the brief collaborative project.

 

 

Kodak Black – Painting Pictures

This is, most likely, the album that’s going to make or break Kodak Black. For some reason, Kodak’s been hailed as one of the best rapper’s out there, and his Heart of the Projects and Lil B.I.G. Pac mixtapes have been lauded by both fans and critics. Recently, however, an absolutely atrocious lead single (“Tunnel Vision”) and, more significantly, an ongoing rape case have been calling Lil Kodak’s newfound fame into question. Painting Pictures has a lot going for it, however, with features from Future, Young Thug, Bun B, Jeezy, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.

Said the Whale – As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide

Vancouver’s Said the Whale started out as a delightfully twee, lo-fi indie-pop band that existed to celebrate their city. Back in 2009 or ’10, after the release of Islands Disappear (and when “Camilo the Magician” was on constant rotation on the Peak FM), I had the good fortune of seeing them perform at my high school. This was years before they grew into one of Canada’s biggest indie bands, receiving a Juno for Best New Artist and international acclaim for their last two albums (2012’s Little Mountain and 2013’s hawaiii). Said the Whale’s latest project, As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide, was preceded by some of their most well-written singles to date (notably, “Miscarriage” and “Heaven”). It’s their most mature project to date, a notable transition in their career, and another step to cementing them as one of Vancouver’s most notable bands.

Shawty Lo – R.I.C.O.

Atlanta rapper Shawty Lo, whose hits “Dunn Dunn” and “Dey Know” were some of his city’s biggest hits in the early 2000s, was tragically killed when his car flew off a guardrail and crashed. R.I.C.O. is a compilation of unreleased tracks that were intended for his upcoming second studio album. T.I., Boosie Badazz, OT Genasis, Ralo, and more all appear on the posthumous project.

 

Also released:

CupcakKe, Queen Elizabitch: More explicit, sexual rap from the Chicago MC, who was recently featured on Charli XCX’s Number 1 Angel mixtape.
Cydnee with a C, Gluten Free: A pop/hip hop singer outta Atlanta, with help from OG Maco and King Los.
Jamiroquai, Automaton: The people who soundtracked the best dance sequence of all time return with their first album in seven years.
Red Pill, Day Drunk LP: The Detroit rapper’s latest project has a solitary feature from Blu, and production from Oddisee, Black Milk, Paul White, and Exile.
Tuxedo, Tuxedo II: Rapper Mayer Hawthorne and producer Jake One return one again for the second full-length from their acclaimed collaborative project, Tuxedo.