Music/Album Reviews

Genre: Country
Sound: Peck’s butter-smooth baritone glides over Americana riffs and old-West instrumentation
If you like: Father John Misty, Murder By Death, Spaghetti Westerns
Why you should listen: Orville Peck’s Western heartthrob vocals and campy queer twist on the country genre have made him one of the coolest, weirdest and most irresistible artists on the scene right now. His latest album doubles down on Western imagery and cinematic pastiche to be more Orville than anything before.
Best track: C’mon Baby, Cry

Genre: Pop-punk
Sound: Raucous road-tripping bangers anchored by an edge of vulnerability
If you like: Sorority Noise, Antarctigo Vespucci, Jeff Rosenstock
Why you should listen: Toronto-based rockers PUP are Canadian music scene royalty, and for good reason: their addictive punk-infused tracks hit a sweet spot between mainstream and underground that makes every listener feel like their biggest fan. Their latest album blends the DIY spirit that made them famous with non-stop innovation and endearing earnestness and is sure to keep everyone listening.
Best track: Four Chords

Genre: Rap
Sound: Methodical, cerebral lyricism spins stories of trauma, mental illness and political unrest over ’90s-style beats
If you like: Kendrick Lamar, JPEGMAFIA, Rico Nasty
Why you should listen: Enigmatic rapper Denzel Curry’s screaming lyricism and furious bars have come to be representative of rap’s underground spirit. In his latest work, he’s dropped some of that fury and replaced it with contemplative introspection — the result is something new but entirely unforgettable.
Best track: Angelz

Genre: Indie pop
Sound: Chill hip hop-influenced bedroom pop for easy evenings
If you like: Clairo, Bruno Major, Wallows
Why you should listen: Singer-songwriter Alex O’Connor keeps things upbeat and sunny on WHO CARES? Despite the bedroom pop label frequently attached to his music, these songs wouldn’t be out of place in a hotel lounge, at a beach jam or at a big music festival.
Best track: KEEP IT UP

Genre: Afro-Pop and R&B
Sound: Bouncy drum patterns, catchy lyrics with smooth jazzy undertones.
If you like: Wizkid, Bankulli, Moelogo
Why should you listen:  This is a love-struck album that comes from the heart for the heart. Rich with feel-good rhythms, Montreal-born TÖME embraces her Nigerian side, by infusing afrobeats, including Amapiano, into her music while merging soulful melodies of R&B.
Best Track: Please

Genre: Alternative rock
Sound: Dark and alluring, versatile songwriting that keeps you on your toes
If you like: Cherry Glazerr, Menace Beach, Mitski
Why you should listen: At times nü metal-inspired and other times country-influenced, Squeeze is unpredictable in the best way. Album opener Skin A Rat is gritty and unforgiving, and the album transitions back and forth until the last track, Not A Love Song, a soft and flowing orchestral performance.
Best track: The Greatest

Genre: Pop/rock
Sound: Polished pop music that exudes confidence
If you like: Dylan, Charlotte Sands, bülow
Why you should listen: After taking over the airwaves with the instant hit, abcdefu, the young pop star doesn’t disappoint with her six-track EP. GAYLE sings about teenage problems, but her songwriting skills are fully mature — she just has a knack for what makes a good pop song.
Best track: abcdefu

Genre: Indie rock
Sound: Unfazed, dryly ironic indie post-punk that dedicates itself to whimsy
If you like: Tiger Trap, Sleater-Kinney, Snail Mail
Why you should listen: Wet Leg appeared out of nowhere and instantly became the indie band on everyone’s lips — their distinctly vintage post-punk sensibilities and dry, almost apathetic, vocal style beg to be paired with over-the-ear headphones and dark lipstick. Not since the ’90s has a deadpan woman vocalist monologued against fuzzed-out guitar with such charm!
Best track: Too Late Now

Genre: Hip hop
Sound: An emotional tribute to the late rapper featuring hip-hop greats and local New Yorkers
If you like: Q-Tip, Large Professor, Brand Nubian
Why you should listen: It’s been six years since the passing of A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg, leaving a huge impact in hip hop. In his posthumous record, assembled from unfinished tracks, fans will love Phife Dawg’s unmatched verses, old-school beats and jazzy interludes while unearthing a humble yet haunted past, from taking care of his family to splitting up with the group.
Best track: French Kiss Trois (ft. Redman & Illa J)

Genre: Rap
Sound: A fusion of American rap and the sounds of Lagos, Nigeria.
If you like: Kojo Dave, K.O.F.I, Larell
Why should you listen: Fluctuating from low-fi rap to a smooth House groove, this Ottawa-rapper sprinkles island vibes, afrobeats and traditional rap rhythms into the EP. Dedicated to his parents, the Universal Music Nigeria artist continues to prove to them and the world that their sacrifices were worth it.
Best Track: Dey for You (ft. Buju)

Genre: Alternative hip hop/neo-soul
Sound: Psychedelic soul funk bangers destined for dance floor
If you like: L’Orange, Madlib, Erykah Badu
Why you should listen: Michigan-based producer The Lasso joins New Mexico rapper A. Billi Free’s on his second electrifying album. They fuse soul jazz, house, techno and hip hop  incorporating warm melodies and powerful rap.
Best track: Evidence of Things Unseen

Genre: Afrobeat
Sound: Soft spacy melodies with lush vocals embodying the album.
If you like: Wiz Kid, Ayo, Selah Sue.
Why should you listen: Caressing her airy Amy Winehouse-like voice over afrobeats, Așa’s flirtatious album captures you in a love fantasy. With possessive tones, her soft vocals carry you through a romantic journey of a crush.  
Best Track: Ocean

Genre: Electro-pop
Sound: Compressed with sub-genres of Big Room and House music.
If you like: David Guetta, Kylie Minogue, Tafari Anthony
Why should you listen:  After years of pretending to be someone he is not, Iamrebelwill is breaking free. Carefully crafted to represent the confident queer popstar he is becoming, this album is filled with magnetic dance-techno tempos bathed in sexual assertiveness.
Best Track: Stand Up, Stand Out

Genre: Afrobeats/Fuji
Sound: Harmonious vocals blended with rapid drum tempos, cascaded with slow melodies.
If you like: Seyi Vibez, Mahbad, Yemi Alade
Why should you listen:  Delicately balancing between Rap, Fuji and Afrobeats, the Nigerian artist releases negativity, praises to God and shares how being related to notable Nigerian music figures has impacted the trajectory of his career. The mellow afro-fusion album effortlessly encapsulates the sonic diversity in Nigeria.
Best Track: Level Up

Genre: Electronica/Jazz
Sound: Eerie synthesizers with brassy horns and jazzy piano riffs create an immersive and atmospheric journey into the jazztronica realm
If you like: Kiefer, Mndgn, Rejoicer
Why you should listen: The Dutch-based artist’s third experimental album journeys deeper into jazz and electronica through heavy use of vintage synthesizers and jazzy piano riffs. The result is a cinematic experience that leaves listeners in a trance-like state.
Best track: Big Game

Genre: Hip hop
Sound: Down-tempo hip hop with a hint of soulful-jazz/R&B flair
If you like: Earl Sweatshirt, Smino, Noname
Why you should listen: Chicago-based rapper Saba’s third heavy record explores anxiety, insecurity and nostalgia, powered by expressive lyrics and old-school beats to match the raw and realistic tone.
Best track: Fearmonger (ft. Daoud)