Best Free Downloads of the Week

Allan Kingdom kicked off the new year by releasing his new album Northern Lights on his birthday. As expected, the album showcases Allan's massive range of sound. "Fables" is case in point, a collab with reggae artist Chronixx that focuses on the importance of keeping an honest circle around you.

Download the entire Northern Lights album here.

Mick Jenkins has been killing it with his guest features, but this week he decided to remind the world what he's capable of on his own with two new tracks.

Jenkins described the two-song release as a "sip," but it's another dense, thrilling release from the Chicago MC no matter what label you slap on. Stream/download "$3,000 Advice" below, and check out "Grenade Theory" here.

Manchester producers/DJs Fallow and Grizzle hooked us all up with an incredibly high level free project to kick off 2016. The Fallow x Grizzle EP is excellent throughout, with hard drums and vivid melodies combined for maximum danceability.

The pick of the bunch is the epic "Deh Heaven," with it's awesome vocal samples. Listen below and download the full five-track project here.

Just last month, we got to hear more from Cozz on Dreamville's Revenge of the Dreamers II. Thankfully, he's made a bigger return this month with the release of his latest project Nothin' Personal. It's packed with hits, but our favorite moment might be when Cozz links up with fellow Cali native Boogie for their menacing collaboration "City Of God."

Download Nothin' Personal here.

Flume came out of nowhere this week with the news that his next album, Skin, is almost finished. The Australian producer proved as much on this four-minute preview, a quick stroll through the album's offerings, that is brimming with goosebump-inducing beats and drops. This one's going to be a banger.

Bay Area rapper/producer Elujay linked up with Chicago rapper Saba for their new collaboration "Soul Food." The smooth production works as an interesting juxtaposition to the subject matter at hand—even with such a relaxed rhythm, Elujay and Saba take the opportunity to dig in to police brutality.

With placements on the BBC Radio 1 shows of Phil Taggart and Huw Stephens, 17-year-old Vasser has leapfrogged the blogs and gone straight to radio. It's for good reason—"Stay With Me" is a slinky, inventive groove that warps and changes course multiple times over its three-plus minutes, and the synth selection is on point. This kid is good.

With respect to all the production available to the modern listener, sometimes all we need is a tough beat and some bars. Emay has both on "Blaow (That Hurts)," the latest release from the Canadian rapper/producer.

Out of the two, it's his raps that will really stick between the ears—Emay is unspooling complex wordsmithery that will have you listening back to try and decode what you just heard. Still trying to unpack that line about the "unknown known."

UK grime MC Chipmunk recently released his Rap vs Grime tape. Some of the tracks find him rhyming over new and classic hip-hop beats. The tape favorite, however, is a track called "Hear Dis" featuring Stormzy. The two MCs shut down all the fronters trying to claim what they don't have.

Download the entire mixtape here.

Were we to judge off title alone, Andrea's "What U Need" might be mistaken for a lovelorn R&B jam. Instead, the Moose Records producer drops a heavy, razor-sharp addition to 2016 that bursts open with some massive drums around the 2:30 mark. Nicely done.

As a part of their free download series, record label Darker Than Wax uploaded "Transit," the latest track from Netherlands-based producer Jasper Staal. Those familiar with commuting on public transportation know that the music can often be interrupted by the thousands of various surrounding noises. "Transit," however, mimics the rare moments when these opposing sounds clash and actually create something beautiful.

Download the track here.

This super wavey mash-up of Aaliyah's "Try Again" and Plastician's grime classic "Cha," complete with heavily pitched down vocals, shouldn't work as well as it does. But Mr. Mitch nailed it. The British producer celebrated an excellent 2015 by giving away five remixes he's been playing out, including new versions of Skepta and OG Maco tracks.

Download all five tracks here.