Alchemist & Budgie, The Good Book: Vol. 2

2014’s The Good Book was an excellent collaboration between producers Alchemist and Budgie, particularly the three non-instrumental tracks (which featured Action Bronson, Blu, Prodigy, and more). Three years later, the duo have reunited for the long-awaited sequel, an expansive double album that clocks in at 45 tracks altogether. Royce da 5’9″, Action Bronson, Your Old Droog, Buddy, Conway, Westside Gunn, and Chuck Inglish, and many more are all involved.

Anne Dereaux, Book of Lolita

LA singer Anne Dereaux began her career as a model and, apparently, an architect, before transitioning into music; it’s a good thing she did, too, because her woozy, trap-laden R&B sound attracted the attention of everyone from FKi-1st (who produces two tracks on Book of Lolita, her debut project) to Rick Rubin, Dereaux’s idol who has since taken her under his wing. This 6-track EP is an exciting introduction to an artist who seems destined to excel.

Blessed, Love Letters

Blessed arrived on the scene a couple of years ago with a debut single (“Sorrows”) and a Pigeons & Planes cosign, and his sound immediately drew Kid Cudi comparisons. He does sound remarkably like MOTM era Cudi, but with a bit of a unique spin that should curb any copy-cat accusations. Love Letters is a quick 6-track EP, but Blessed shows off his abilities over a variation of different sounds. It’s nothing to skyrocket him into stardom, but it’s something on the right path.

Dizzee Rascal, Raskit

Grime pioneer Dizzee Rascal is back with his sixth album, Raskit. Dizzee’s debut album, Boy In Da Corner, is one of the most revered Grime albums of all time, and is largely regarded with having kickstarted the entire genre. Raskit, which clocks in at sixteen tracks, is entirely featureless, with production from both notable Grime producers (Donae’o, Heavytrackerz) and American rap greats (Cardo, Salva), as well as Dizzee himself producing on every song.

Lana Del Rey, Lust for Life

With 2012’s Born to Die, Lana Del Rey’s signature Americana pop brought something fresh and exciting to the music scene, a mix of nostalgia and innovation that made it one of the year’s best albums. Her last two followups, however, failed to capture the same magic: Dan Auerbach’s inability to make other artist’s albums even remotely interesting (see: Ray LaMontagne’s Supernova) hindered 2014’s Ultraviolence, which could’ve been remarkable if it wasn’t for the monotonous production; and 2015’s Honeymoon, for whatever reason, just failed to make an impact. With Lust For Life, however, Lana is back to full form. This is the first time Lana has used features on her project, and she uses them to their full potential: from getting A$AP Rocky on “Groupie Love” and the phenomenal “Summer Bummer”, to bringing Stevie Knicks out of near-retirement for “Beautiful People Beautiful Problems”, to bringing Sean Lennon (son of John & Yoko) out on “Tomorrow Never Came”. It’s an excellent mix of exciting, lo-fi pop and lush balladry, and an exciting return to form for Lana del Rey.

Meek Mill, Wins & Losses

Meek’s had more losses than wins lately, but you have to commend the man for persevering. After dropping DC4 last year (which was his best project in years, although that’s not saying much), he dropped off two EPS (Meekend Music 1 & 2) and has returned with another full-length album. It’s your typical Meek Mill album, full of aggression and yelling, but he continues to prove that he’s more than a Drake punchline. Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Rick Ross, Young Thug, Quavo, The-Dream, and more all show up on this tape.

Nav & Metro Boomin, Perfect Timing

Nav’s chorus on Travis Scott’s “Biebs in the Trap” had the Toronto artist poised for an exciting career, but his debut self-titled album ruined any buzz he had accrued. When it was announced that he had a collaborative album with Metro Boomin on the way, some hope was resurrected, but Nav fails to build up any of the excitement he brought for his Travis Scott collaboration. Metro’s phenomenal beatmaking couldn’t even save this project, and neither could some excellent features from Offset, Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, 21 Savage, and Gucci Mane.

Nine Inch Nails, Add Violence

The second installment of Nine Inch Nails’ EP trilogy, which began with Not the Actual Events last year. This five-track EP is described by the band as both “more accessible and more impenetrable at the same time”, which is exactly what I’d expect from Nine Inch Nails in 2017. Add Violence is also NIN’s second project since Atticus Ross joined the group, adding his signature dark, ambient style to Trent Reznor’s industrial aggression.

Nitty Scott, MC, Creature!

I was introduced to Nitty Scott, MC last year through Westside Highway Story, the debut album by rap supergroup No Panty. The trio was made up of Latin-American rappers Scott, Joell Ortiz, and Bodega Bamz (and producer Salaam Remi), and was honestly a solid summer project, mixing both catchy music with political, racially-charged themes. Creature! is Scott’s second solo album, following 2014’s The Art of Chill, and it’s being billed as an empowering, feminist, self-affirming project.

Nyck Caution & Kirk Knight, Nyck @ Knight

New York’s Pro Era collective, helmed by de facto leader Joey Bada$$, features some of the best East Coast rappers going. Kirk Knight started off mostly just producing for the collective, but 2015’s Late Knight Special album proved he’s got some real rapping chops too; Nyck Caution’s always been one of the group’s most exciting members, and last year’s Disguise the Truth album solidified him as Pro Era’s most likely next breakout star. The two teamed up for a collaborative project, smartly named after Nickelodeon’s old late-night segment “Nick at Night”, and it finds the two NY MCs at their peak. It’s eight tracks, mostly just featuring Kirk and Nyck (and mostly produced by Kirk, with help from Chuck Strangers and 1900), but posse cut “Audiopium” features the whole Pro Era crew.

Siimba Liives Long, Zemenay’s Gemiinii

Siimba Liives Long is a profoundly interesting rapper, a Ethiopian-born, Brooklyn-raised, Muslim MC who, according to his Instagram, spends all of his time either running around the Safari with lions, or smoking hookah with hordes of women (“baddies”) and stunting on his detractors (“lames”), always dressed in his signature all-white outfit. He’s got a wild persona, but Siimba Liives Long is honestly a wickedly talented rapper. Zemenay’s Gemiinii is his long-awaited debut album, featuring breakout singles “Cocaine Zimbie” and “Info-Red”.

Trae tha Truth, Tha Truth Pt. 3

Trae tha Truth has been in the game for years, starting out in 1998 with a debut feature on a Z-Ro album, and nearly twenty years later he’s still going strong. With Tha Truth Pt. 3, the Houston rapper concludes the trilogy he started two years ago. Maxo Kream, Post Malone, D.R.A.M., Young Thug, Lil Durk, and more appear on the ambitious, 18-track project. This album also includes the longest addition to Trae’s feature-heavy “I’m On” series yet, with appearances from T.I., Dave East, Royce da 5’9″, E-40, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, Tee Grizzley, and many more; it’s an eight-minute track, full of excellent MCs flexing over a Watson the Great beat.

Tyga, Bitch I’m the Shit 2Bitch I’m the Shit 2

Tyga’s first release since signing to GOOD Music gives this tape it’s only redeeming factor: good features. Kanye and Pusha show up, of course, along with some excellent collaborations from Vince Staples, Ty Dolla $ign, and Chief Keef, but unfortunately, Tyga exactly the same as he’s always been.

 

Tyler, the Creator, (Scum Fuck) Flower Boy

One of the most anticipated, and most talked-about albums of the year, has finally arrived. Flower Boy (previously titled Scum Fuck Flower Boy) is the latest release from Tyler, the Creator, and it’s his best work yet. For years, Tyler hid behind a myriad of personalities, populating his first three albums with manifestations of his most violent, self-loathing impulses. Through a series of Slim Shady-esque characters, Tyler was able to circumvent actual vulnerability by hiding behind alter-egos and distractively shocking imagery, but with Scum Fuck Flower Boy, the former Odd Future head has finally shone a light on Tyler Okonma himself. Tyler’s anxieties are presented with frank sincerity: his fears of never solidifying his legacy, being cheated by his manager, and losing his already tenuous friendships by breaking character and showing his true colours. Tyler’s struggles with intimacy and sexuality are the centrepiece of the album, as he admits that his loudmouth, larger-than-life personality is a front to conceal his deep-rooted loneliness and romantic confliction. It’s a shockingly personal album from one of rap’s most unique, uncompromising young voices. Tyler’s production is the best it’s ever been, refining the experimental choices he made on Cherry Bomb into lush, coherent, Hans Zimmer-esque soundscapes, and complemented by excellent collaborations with Frank Ocean, Kali Uchis, Lil Wayne, and more.*

Also released:

Curren$y, The Champagne Files: It’s another Curren$y album.
Foster the People, Sacred Heart Club: The group responsible for “Pumped Kicks” and “Helena Beat” follow up 2014’s disappointing Supermodel album with a new project, supported by single “Loyal like Syd & Nancy” (which is already more interesting than anything on their last album.
Lil Baby, Harder than Hard: Up-and-coming rapper Lil Baby’s latest project is a Gangsta Grillz mixtape, which is a pretty impressive cosign.
Sage the Gemini, Morse Code: Bay area rapper Sage the Gemini sounds like a knockoff Ty Dolla $ign now, but it kinda works?
Yung Lean, Psychopath Ballads & Katla: New EPs from the Swedish cloud rap pioneer, under his old moniker JonatanLeandoer127.

*Parts of this Tyler, the Creator review originally appeared in The Peak, Simon Fraser University’s campus newspaper.