Pigeons & Planes' Best New Albums Streaming on Spotify Right Now

20 years ago, a music junkie couldn't even comprehend what Spotify offers. We complain about the modern day struggles that come with streaming services and unlimited access to music, but at the end of the day, you have to realize how ridiculous it is. We can pay $10 a month and get more music than we know what to do with. And that's the main problem—you sign into Spotify and it's almost overwhelming.

Most people end up going back to the things they already know or falling into black holes of lost R&B slow jams and weird Kidz Bop covers, so we decided to help out with some recommendations.

We'll be updating this post every month with a new batch of fresh albums that you can stream on Spotify. If you're more about that singles life, you can check out our playlist that's updated regularly here, but every now and then it's still nice to sit down with a record tape CD full album. Here are some of the best new albums streaming on Spotify right now. If you've got recommendations, feel free to leave them in the comments.

20 years ago, a music junkie couldn't even comprehend what Spotify offers. We complain about the modern day struggles that come with streaming services and unlimited access to music, but at the end of the day, you have to realize how ridiculous it is. We can pay $10 a month and get more music than we know what to do with. And that's the main problem—you sign into Spotify and it's almost overwhelming. Most people end up going back to the things they already know or falling into black holes of lost R&B slow jams and weird Kidz Bop covers, so we decided to help out with some recommendations.

We'll be updating this post every month with a new batch of fresh albums that you can stream on Spotify. If you're more about that singles life, you can check out our playlist that's updated regularly here, but every now and then it's still nice to sit down with a record tape CD full album of MP3s.

Here are the 20 best new albums streaming on Spotify right now, in our opinion. If you've got recommendations, feel free to leave them in the comments section.

Release date: June 28

Essential tracks: "Thank You," "Desirée," "Best To You"

Devonté Hynes' long-awaited album as Blood Orange is 17 tracks long, and he uses every second. Freetown Sound is packed with ideas—musical, political, and personal—without sacrificing the melodic accessibility that has made Hynes a go-to writing partner for some of pop music's biggest names.

The hooks are much more subdued here, however. Hynes mostly sings in hushed, sensual tones, leaving the fortissimo moments to a bevy of female collaborators. Empress Of takes lead on "Best To You," Debbie Harry shows out on "E.V.P.," and Nelly Furtado delivers on "Hadron Collider."

Hynes' usual staple of dreamy synths are back, complemented by an orchestral selection of strings, mallets, and arpeggiated synths. It's a huge step forward for the artist in terms of scope, subject matter, and execution. Given its massive ambitions, it would have been very easy for Freetown Sound to collapse under its own weight. It does not, and we have on of 2016's most beautiful albums as a result.

Release date: March 25

Essential tracks: "Digits," "With Them," "Drippin'"

Young Thug doesn't ever need to be an album artist. The cyclical nature of album roll-outs simply doesn't apply to an artist who can make a hit song in under 10 minutes. The 23-year-old seems to be constantly moving—and so far that has paid off—but it was interesting to see 300 Entertainment founder Lyor Cohen advising Thug to slow down.

Who knows if Young Thug can slow down, or what will happen when he does, but we're already starting to see Thug's output get a little more focused. Slime Season 3 is a concise, lean project with only eight songs on it. It's a far cry from the 22-song Slime Season 2, and it's more memorable because of its brevity.

The general idea is simple: with fewer songs, there's more time to put into each one. It's unclear if Young Thug even wants to put more time into each song, but fewer songs is about more than allowing Thug more time for each. It also allows the listener to focus. Let's face it: when dozens of Thug songs surfaced last year it was awesome, but it was also overwhelming. Some of those songs were great, but many of them slipped between the cracks. Even the most prolific artists (e.g. Prince) need to filter, and Thug is starting to do that effectively.

Release date: June 17

Essential tracks: “Twist My Fingaz,” “Why You Always Hatin?,” “FDT”

YG’s follow-up to his 2014 West Coast blassic My Krazy Life is finally here. Still Brazy is a fun, aggressive record that does justice to the legacy that YG has already built for himself in his short career. Though this album is missing the unique flavor that DJ Mustard lent to My Krazy Life, it hardly suffers in the grand scheme of things; in fact, YG’s style really shines as a result.

The rapper has refined his storytelling considerably, specifically his internal monologue, and though the album may feel a bit more paranoid as a result, it’s incredibly rewarding to get such an honest look into YG’s head. He's more political than ever before, too. Songs like “FDT” and “Police Get Away Wit Murder” demonstrate YG’s keen ability to speak for those whose voices are not heard in the mainstream. As long as artists like YG keep their ears to the streets and report their findings, records like this will have an audience.

It’s a joy to bear witness to YG’s emotional growth and musical development—but don’t worry, he’s still as brazy as he’s always been.

Release date: May 6

Essential tracks:“GLOWED UP,” “DRIVE ME CRAZY,” “YOU'RE THE ONE”

Kaytranada has come a long way since his Janet Jackson “If” remix back in 2012. In the years following, the Haitian-Canadian producer/DJ has gone from Soundcloud prodigy to international superstar, and 99.9% is a testament to that journey.

The album absolutely glistens, covering genres from R&B and hip-hop to electronica and jazz. It also features an all-star roster of collaborators—Anderson .Paak, Craig David, Syd Tha Kyd, AlunaGeorge, Little Dragon, and Vic Mensa all show out. With just one album, Kay makes a triumphant transition from remix artist to stand-alone producer. The artist has said that the album gets its title from the feeling of never being satisfied with his work—but 99.9% is anything but unfulfilling.

Release date: May 27

Essential tracks: “Take A Chance,” “Never Be Like You,” “Wall Fuck”

Even rave culture pessimists can’t deny that Flume’s latest album bangs. In a world where it can feel as though the electronic music scene has lost its way, Flume is somewhat of a standout creative. With Skin, the Australian artist proves that his chosen genre can still be dynamic—just listen to tracks like the genre-bending “Smoke & Retribution,” the rubbery banger “Wall Fuck,” or the euphoric “Tiny Cities,” which features Beck.

The album also guest stars Allan Kingdom, Raekwon, Vince Staples, Vic Mensa, and Little Dragon. If you’re going to indulge in some fun-for-the-sake-of-it beats, this album will hit the spot.

Release date: February 14

Essential tracks: "Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1," "Fade," "Famous," "Ultralight Beam"

Two months later, Kanye West's decision to keep TLOP off Spotify has been overturned, and the world is a better place for it.

For all the drama and tabloid fodder that this album produced as a piece of living, breathing art, Pablo is also another wholly unique addition to Kanye's discography, and a testament to his ability to push boundaries in ways none of us could have expected.

And the ongoing revisions—Kanye has been uploading different versions of songs to various streaming platforms and going back to tinker with songs from Yeezus—are further proof that Kanye isn't just interested in making great music. He's here to disrupt our conventional notions of what an album can be, making us wade through nails on a chalkboard in order to get eight bars of gold ("Freestyle 4"). He's leaving in "mistakes," and ridiculing himself "I Love Kanye" while admitting his "greatest shame" of personal debt. It's a fascinating listen, and a reminder why Kanye is one of our greatest living artists.

Release date: May 20

Essential tracks: "Fill In The Blank," "Vincent"

As soon as the opening chords of "Fill In The Blank" hit, you will be transported back to a time when guitar rock was at the cutting edge of music. Maybe this is a sign that it will rise again, or maybe Car Seat Headrest just put out a great album.

Either way, Teens of Denial is something special—a self-assured, confident pack of songs that go heavy on the distortion and self-consciousness. This is far from the band's first album, but it's their second on Matador, and frontman Will Toledo's first with a full band. The resulting album is a constantly surprising thrill ride through burgeoning adulthood, and we're on board. “At what point do you stop being teenage and angsty and start being an adult?” Toledo asked Noisey. “There's no clear answer to that.”

Release date: March 4

Essential tracks: "untitled 02 | 06.23.2014." "untitled 03 | 05.28.2013." "untitled 07 | 2014 - 2016"

Kendrick Lamar is still basking in the success of 2015's warmly received To Pimp A Butterfly. In the time since its release, his televised performances have been a series of untitled tracks that many viewers thought would never receive a proper release. Fortunately, Kendrick finally gave fans what they'd been asking for with his surprise release untitled unmastered.

As you might expect, the eight-track project features untitled and seemingly unfinished tracks recorded during the TPAB sessions. Though these songs didn't make the final cut, the results of untitled unmastered. proves that these tracks were just too good to go unheard forever.

Kendrick recently selected the seventh track from the album as the first official single. The new single version cuts the original eight-minute track into just over two minutes and renames it as "untitled 07 | levitate."

Release date: May 6

Essential tracks: “That’s Not Me,” “Shutdown,” “Man”

Skepta has been a dominating force in the grime scene recently, and although Konnichiwa is his fourth studio album, it’s his first to chart in the United States. You can trace Skepta's most recent win streak to 2014, when “That’s Not Me” dropped. Though the MC had already dropped two singles meant to appear on Konnichiwa, “That’s Not Me” marked a change in Skepta’s style, which would continue to develop in the years leading up to Konnichiwa.

One year later, Skepta would find himself on stage with Kanye West at the 2015 BRITs, alongside a mix of up-and-comers and legends including Vic Mensa, JME, and Novelist. The raucous gig caught some publicity in the US, and Skepta’s name started to float across the blogosphere more frequently. Over the course of 2015, Skepta would accrue even more hype after a cosign from Drake. Though his name started to feel omnipresent, his music was not—American audiences, late to the game, were left wondering where Skepta’s “debut” record was.

But when Konnichiwa dropped in May, Skepta somehow proved everybody right. The record is the result of five years of hard work and stylistic growth, and since it sounds so different than his earlier work, it is a “debut” in some sense. Tracks like “Shutdown” and “Man” demonstrate the rapper’s finely-tuned rhythmic sensibilities and lyrical prowess, a testament to decades of experience in grime. Grime may have taken a few detours on its way across the Atlantic, but we’re relieved that it’s finally here; as the old adage goes, better late than never.

Release date: May 8

Essential tracks: “Burn the Witch,” “Ful Stop,” “Daydreaming”

A Moon Shaped Pool is the latest entry in Radiohead’s iconic discography, and even with such a decorated history of releases behind it, this record belongs near the top of their musical library. Here, we find Radiohead at their most vulnerable. The instrumentation is sparse and careful, designed to highlight and complement Thom Yorke’s beautifully exhausted, fragile vocals. Tracks like “Burn the Witch” and “Ful Stop” stand out because of their energy; in an album that wanders and hums, these track march forward to deliver a clear message.

This is not to say that the other tracks are lethargic, though; in fact, every moment on this album is carefully crafted, and the subtle shifts stand out that much more as a result—“Daydreaming” is particularly haunting. Go find a quiet spot, throw on your best headphones, and prepare to self-examine with the help of Radiohead’s most existential effort yet.

Release date: June 17

Essential tracks: "Your Best American Girl," "Happy"

Puberty 2 is the result of a long journey for Mitski—she released a number of albums in college and had critics buzzing with 2014's lo-fi gem Bury Me at Makeout Creek.

She levels up again on Puberty 2. The sound is more polished, but the core elements—crunchy guitar, operatic vocals, and poetic, forlorn lyricism—are still front and center. This is a rock album in every sense of the word, and Mitski doesn't take her foot off the gas for a second.

Release date: May 6

Essential tracks: “Drone Bomb Me,” “4 Degrees,” “Why Did You Separate Me from the Earth?”

ANOHNI takes celebrity activism to another level with her solo debut, Hopelessness. The record is a protest against deforestation, global warming, drone bombing, state-sponsored execution, torture, surveillance, and what ANOHNI views as broken promises by President Obama.

The artist doesn’t sugar-coat the issues, either: “Blow my head off,” she sings tearfully in “Drone Bomb Me;” in “4 Degrees,” “I want to hear the dogs crying for water / I want to see fish go belly-up in the sea.” The crushing, rageful album (produced in large part by Hudson Mohawke) may not make for easy listening, but it’s the rare record that won’t just make you dance—it will also make you think.

Release date: June 14

Essential tracks: "Barbie Doll," "Boy Red," "Louis V"

Night Lovell has put Ottawa on the map—once we heard gems like the Dylan Brady-produced "Fraud," it was only a matter of time before he broke through. Red Teenage Melody is a searing debut, apocalyptic production balanced by surprisingly compassionate lyrics: Truth be told I want you back," he raps on "I'm Okay." "Truth be told I got your back." Lovell attacks every track. His bassy, doubled vocals are a thing of hoarse, hellish beauty.

Lovell stuck with what worked when it came to the album's production. He's still best when bouncing off jagged electronic production from Brady, Blank Body, and glocque—but every song bangs. With Red Teenage Melody, Lovell has cemented his lane of scowl rap and succeeded when he tried his hand at something new, like the Wavy Drexler collab "Riot Ballad."

Release date: May 6

Essential tracks:“Radio Silence,” “I Need a Forest Fire,” “Meet You In The Maze”

After a three-year hiatus following 2013’s Overgrown, James Blake surprised fans in May with The Colour In Anything, a fresh album that put him smack back on the industry radar—not that he ever really left. It’s a much-needed return for the London-based artist, who has built an international reputation for his goosebump-inducing vocals, haunting melodies and melancholy mood.

The album is predictably gorgeous: hazy piano chords accompany breathy howls and sparse electronics, weaving in and out of verses that loop hypnotically into themselves. While the mammoth album chooses its lyrics carefully, the verses that do make an appearance are the kind of poetry that only Blake could pull off: “It's sad that you're no longer her,” or “while you were away, I started loving you,” he despairs.

The entire album, which collects pointed influence from Bon Iver and Frank Ocean, feels like it’s wrapped in a thin mist, both in the way it sounds and the way you quickly lose yourself in its folds.

Release date: April 29

Essential tracks: "Lazy Eye," "Rings" "TUFF"

Almost two decades after his debut Music For Earthworms, Aesop Rock is still coasting in his own lane. On the self-produced The Impossible Kid, Aesop's beats feel like the soundtrack to an outer space assembly line—dark, industrial, but with a steady, urgent groove. Despite how out-of-this-world the album is sonically, it's lyrically one of his most personal projects yet.

From mental health issues to family life and growing up, Aesop Rock gets really real on The Impossible Kid. It's all wrapped in in densely packed verbiage, but it's there, and unlike some of the more abstract work of Aesop's past, The Impossible Kid makes a genuine effort to connect.

Most importantly though, this album is—despite its serious nature—really fun. Aesop has developed into an excellent producer, and no matter how experimental he gets, he's always appreciated a good bass line and crispy drums. Plus, at almost 40 years old, the independent rap veteran is self-aware and able to address his own issues with a sharp sense of humor and self-deprecating charm ("Before climbing douchebag mountain, I was skate or die / Started eatin' kale and came to terms with my lazy eye").

Rap has changed a lot over the past 20 years. Most of the artists associated with the underground hip-hop scene of the 2000s have fallen off or tried to shift to be more in line with current trends. Aesop Rock has continued to evolve on his own terms, and The Impossible Kid is proof that it's best to act naturally, whatever that means for you.

Listen below, and catch him live at Irving Plaza in NYC on June 13.

Release date:May 12

Essential tracks: “No Problem,” “All We Got,” “Blessings”

Chance The Rapper’s Coloring Book—the long-awaited follow-up to 2013’s Acid Rap—was arguably one of the most highly-anticipated releases of the year. In the months leading up to the album’s drop, the Chicago artist generated buzz with a steady flow of collabs, contributing verses for the likes of Kanye West, SZA, James Blake, and Action Bronson.

Thankfully, Chance’s third mixtape lives up to the hype, and maybe even surpasses it. With a rich mix of tracks that run the gamut from the spoken word reflections of “Blessings” to the feel-good summer banger “No Problem,” Chance settles into a new gospel-tinged sound and solidifies his position as a household name.

Coloring Book shows thematic depth as well: this is no booty-booze-and-bills rap album. On “All We Got,” Chance muses on the power of music; on “Mixtape,” he calls out the music industry for overlooking the artist-friendly distribution method. The album also contains some of Chance’s best verses yet, ranging from clever wordplay (“this ain’t no intro, this is the entrée”) to rebellious outbursts (“this is the sheep that ain’t like what it herd!”) to utterly triumphant cries (“I swear my life is perfect / I could merch it / If I die I’ll probably cry at my own service”).

Keep an ear out for the album’s star-studded crew of guests, including Kanye West, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Justin Bieber, Future, Young Thug, Lil Yachty, and more.

Release date: March 18

Essential tracks: "Temple," "Kung Fu," "GoGo!"

Baauer waited nearly four years after “Harlem Shake” went viral to release his debut album. He's on record as calling the song “corny and annoying as fuck,” and he spends much of Aa running in the opposite direction to explore left-field corners of electronic production styles. Outside of lead single “GoGo!,” the Philly producer favors experimental off-kilter songs that slyly ask you to dance over the thunderous in-your-face trap found on “Harlem Shake.”

Carrying the weight on his own through a feature-less front half of the album, Baauer hits his stride when he plays a supporting role to an impressive collection of guest vocalists down the stretch. He comfortably slides under Pusha T and Future’s elastic flows on druggy standout “Kung Fu” and shows range on the thwacking Eastern-flavored album highlight “Temple” featuring M.I.A. and G-DRAGON.

Aa veers away from the over-the-top trap music that drew in casual fans, but that’s generally a good thing. You can stop calling him the “Harlem Shake guy” now.

Release date: May 6

Essential tracks: "Hypnotized," "Power," "Cruel Intentions"

JMSN has long been a P&P favorite. He is the boy band offshoot we deserve, with a buttery voice, insane arrangement skills, and dance moves that would make JT himself blush.

It is. is so many things—an album-long bluesy jam sesh, a trip to church, a fever dream. First and foremost, however, it's a musical journey. You can feel JMSN's music down in your gut, and his track names double down on the importance of genre and composition to this album—"A Good Ol' Case of the Blues" and "Funk Outta Here" are the most obvious. Every song is a fully formed idea, solid structures with interlocking parts. Listening to It is. makes it clear why Kendrick Lamar worked with JMSN so early on in their careers—like Kendrick, JMSN is a big picture guy, and he's painted a beautiful one here.

Release date: May 25

Essential tracks: “Who Goes There,” “Missing Person,” “Romeo”

Sad Boy affiliate Bladee recently made his album debut with Eversince. If you’re a fan of Yung Lean, you’ll immediately understand the appeal of this record. Though Bladee has not made as big of a splash as his fellow Swedish rapper, he delivers a unique take on cloud trap worth listening to with Eversince.

In some ways, Bladee is like a more introverted Chief Keef. Both artists express their reluctance to engage in any long-term romantic trysts, but Bladee will take it a step further, explaining why he would rather be alone, delving into his various methods of self-medication. Between lyrics about fat blunts and Moncler coats, Bladee croons about his past mistakes, confusions, and worries; there is a lot to analyze here, for both the casual listener and the professional psychiatrist.

All of this beautiful self-expression takes place over some of the cloudiest, quaintest beats to come out of the Sad Boy camp, beats which still manage to build momentum and bump pretty hard despite their ambient flavors. Whether you’re crying crystal tears after a breakup or dancing alone in your frigid room, Eversince is the perfect soundtrack for the introspective partier in us all.

Release date: May 12

Essential tracks: "Common Sense," "Plottin," "Bouff Daddy"

This may be the best rap album to come out of the U.K. in 2017. J Hus does it all on Common Sense, from the electrifying opening track to more low key cuts like "Plottin" and "Leave Me." J Hus is a chameleon, switching deliveries and tone depending on what the beat demands. And the production deserves a slice of the accolades—JAE5 crafted hit after hit of bouncy, forward-thinking production across the album. 

Common Sense arrived a day after J Hus announced a deal with Epic Records, and less than two years after he was hospitalized with serious stab wounds. If he can get through that, the music industry will be cakewalk. But from the sound of it, J HUS already knows that much. 

Release date: May 5

Essential tracks: "On The Level," "My Old Man," "For The First Time"

Mac DeMarco switched things up on This Old Dog. The charming lo-fi quirks that defined his early work have been replaced by charming hi-fi quirks. It's spectacularly produced, preserving the guitar work that is DeMarco's calling card while seamlessly integrating a new penchant for electronic flourishes. It's also his most directly personal work yet, with lyrics about family, love, and growing up delivered without pretense. Mac is your old friend who you can always kick back and shoot the shit with, and This Old Dog is the soundtrack.

Release date: May 26

Essential tracks: "Met Gala," "Both Eyes Closed," "Finesse The Plug Interlude" 

Gucci Mane teams up with Metro Boomin for his third album since his release from prison. Classic flows by Gucci paired with the quality production of Metro makes this album required listening—this is Gucci back on top form. The ten track album comes in at just under 37 minutes but doesn't feel rushed at all compared to previous releases. Droptopwop is exactly that, a drop top banger, something to ride out to on the way to the beach or on the highway. Either way, it's a trap blessing. 

Release date: March 8

Essential tracks: "Wild Irish Roses," "Anita," "blkswn," "Father Son Holy Smoke"

Listening to St. Louis rapper Smino is rejuvenating. His debut album, blkswn, is packed with peerless rapping, smooth melodies, and incredible production, much of which comes from Monte Booker. Each new listen throws up new wordplay and memorable lines, and Smino packs messages of self-empowerment and celebration of women throughout the album. blkswn is one of a kind—get to know the man behind it in our Who Is? video above.

Release date: April 28

Essential tracks: "Infinite Stripes," "Wild Love"

Over the past two years, Cashmere Cat has quietly become an indispensable pop producer. He's worked with everyone from Ariana Grande and Tinashe to Kanye West, bringing a distinctly experimental bent to an otherwise sterilized culture. 

For 9, the man born Magnus August Høiberg brings the best of both worlds together. He's enlisted the biggest names in music—The Weeknd, Selena Gomez, and Ty Dolla Sign among them—to sing over his constantly shifting, always enthralling production. It works best with Ty Dolla on "Infinite Stripes" (don't sleep on that outro), but 9 is filled with unexpected, euphoric moments. Cashmere Cat has expanded his sonic palette in recent years, and while the big-name features are great, it's his incorporation of new elements like string sections that have us coming back to this album. 

Release date: April 26

Essential tracks: "Human," "Marilyn Monroe," "Bluecid"

Iranian-born, Netherlands based artist Sevdaliza has been subverting pop and R&B norms from her first release in 2014, and she continues to craft her own haunting brand of experimental pop on debut album ISON. It's a truly strong statement from an artist with an uncompromising vision, evoking many of the same feelings as listening to iconic albums by trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack and Portishead. Sevdaliza is special and ISON is essential listening. 

Release date: April 28

Essential tracks: "Aya," "Jump.i," "The Continuation"

Kweku back. Just over a year after dropping the head-turning Nat Love, Evanston's Kweku Collins returned with a vengeance in 2017—grey is Kweku at his hazy, drawling best. He links up with longtime collaborator Allan Kingdom for album standout "Aya" (the video just dropped last week), and continues to explore the blurry line between rap and indie rock with aplomb. 

Release date: June 9

Essential tracks: "MILK," "FEAR," "HEAT," "GOLD"

Brockhampton has arrived. Capitalizing off the success of last year's All-American Trash mixtape, the collective that includes Kevin Abstract, Romil, Ameer Vann, Merlyn Wood, Dom McLennon, Matt Champion, and many more unleashed SATURATION this past week. Everyone's talents are on display—they're rapping their asses off on "STAR" and "FAKE," getting in touch with their feelings on "MILK," and delivering timeless hooks on "GOLD." It's a group effort worthy of the considerable hype they've amassed, and SATURATION—officially their debut album—should be part of your regular rotation as a result. 

Release date: April 7

Essential tracks: "For My People," "Land of the Free," "Devastated," "Temptation"

The power of an artist's voice becomes very clear in Joey Bada$$' sophomore album 'All Amerikkkan Bada$$'. Through some powerful lyrics and soulful beats, he tells the story of the tense political climate in America. This album can easily bring you from "sleep" to conscious by listening to tracks like "For My People" or "Land of the Free." 

Coupled with some amazing features, and well-placed bars this album is a perfect pick for a train ride or a calm drive. Joey Bada$$ is back and we are listening. 

Release date: Septmeber 29

Essential tracks: 

Release date: May 19

Essential tracks: "Cuffed," "Green Twins," "Bet She Looks Like You"

Over the last few years, Nick Hakim has made a great impression with his previous EPs. His 2014 releases Where Will We Go, Pt. 1  and Where Will We Go, Pt. 2 offered up a proper introduction to his uniquely soulful sound. His voice is soothing but layered with effects that make the result almost haunting. This description is heightened on Hakim's debut album Green Twins. The lo-fi production is a signature sound for Hakim. He's found his lane, and delivered an album perfect for a relaxing evening at home.

Release date: April 7

Essential tracks: "Desafío," "Piel," "Anoche"

Arca holds nothing back on his self-titled album. Originally known as a producer of experimental electronic music, Arca's own vocals are central for the first time on this album. He has a beautiful voice as it turns out, and pairing it with his sometimes glitchy but mostly richly melodic production makes for some mind-bending results. Arca sounds like religious music from the year 3000, and it's worth spending some time with this album to get a handle on everything that's going on.

Release date: June 2

Essential tracks: "When I Die," "Peace of Mind," "Vice"

East London rapper and producer Jay Prince is back with more sharp rapping and warm, bouncy production on his Late Summers mixtape. Jay Prince, who supported Chance The Rapper on his European tour, has some of the same skill set as the Chicago rapper—namely an elastic rapping style and an easy way with melody—and it's on full display from the mixtape's excellent opening track.

Elsewhere, Jay Prince teams up with Avelino, Shakka, and Aminé on different tracks, and introduces female vocalists too, with Fabienne and Mahalia featuring on consecutive tracks. Overall, Jay Prince shares an uplifting message across Late Summers,  and provides a soundtrack not just for summer, but for any time you want to enjoy a consistent hip-hop record.

Release date: October 13

Essential tracks:

Release date: May 6

Essential tracks: "El Dorado," "Moksha," "Diorama"

21-year-old Michigan-based singer/rapper/producer Choker made PEAK almost completely on his own. "Aside from the trumpet and acoustic guitar at the end of 'Diorama,' I felt working solo was the most productive," he told us. "I prefer to rely on myself as much as possible."

Sonically, Choker explores textures ranging from soulful to psychedelic, but his raw, intimate, free-flowing approach is consistent throughout this project. Each song is unpredictable and unaffected by the usual constraints of structure, and it all ties together to beautifully illustrate this special young artist's talents. It normally takes an artist years of experience and a team of support to get to this point, but Choker's vision is already coming across crystal clear.

"In the future I'd like to work with people more," he says, "after I learn how to not be such a destructive slab of sad meat during the creative process. I know it's healthy to collaborate and share those moments with others." PEAK is one of the best debuts of the year, and it's exciting to think about what Choker will be capable of once he starts letting people into his world. For now, he's doing just fine on his own.

Release date: April 14

Essential tracks: "LOVE.," "ELEMENT.," "DNA."

With 2012's Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, Kendrick Lamar cemented his spot among hip-hop's elite, but three years later, his next official studio album To Pimp A Butterfly took things in a very different direction. It was experimental, dense, and demanding, and while it's a rewarding experience, it's a difficult album to listen to. 

On DAMN., Kendrick returns to a more accessible sound rooted in hip-hop tradition, but instead of sounding safe or stale, this approach only highlights how good Kendrick is. Songs like "LOVE." and "ELEMENT." are catchy enough to sing along to, but they're also smart and nuanced. This time around, Kendrick's superior lyricism and technical ability are still on full display, but it's packaged in such an accessible fashion that instead of being challenged to keep up, listeners are invited to enjoy. 

Release date: October 27

Essential tracks:

Release date: May 10

Essential tracks: "Dawn Of Infinity," "Don't Lose Yourself To This"

Sinjin Hawke is one of the underground's most exciting and boundary pushing producers, and he got the kind of platform his talent deserves when he co-produced "Wolves" from Kanye West's The Life of Pablo with Cashmere Cat. After a series of EPs, singles, and remixes, Sinjin Hawke made a bold statement with First Opus, forgoing collaborators and vocalists to best deliver his own vision.

Picking essential tracks is difficult, as the album is best enjoyed as a complete experience, part club music, part symphony, part rap beat tape. There's also a wild visualizer which you can experience along with the album here.

Release date: September 22

Essential tracks:

Release date: November 3

Essential tracks:

Release date: July 7

Essential tracks: “Mirage,” “Girl Like You,” “Labyrinth”

Boo Boo sounds like the culmination of everything Toro y Moi has been working towards. Combining the ‘80s throwback sounds of his early chillwave releases with the more polished pop songwriting of his later works, Boo Boo is his best full-length yet. There are some weirder, more ambient moments, but there are also a lot of full-on pop moments that show off his talent when it comes to melodies. “Labyrinth” and “Girl Like You,” in particular, are irresistible.

Read our interview with Toro y Moi here.

Release date: August 25

Essential tracks: “For Real,” “Neon Guts” “XO TOUR Llif3,” "X"

Ever since he first hinted at the project last November, Lil Uzi Vert's Luv Is Rage 2 has been one of the most talked-about releases of 2017, and rightfully so. The Philadelphia rapper's stellar debut album is his most cohesive and emotionally potent work to date. Over the course of the album's sixteen tracks, Uzi vacillates between optimism and dejectedness and explores all the emotional territory in between. He delivers the album's thesis succinctly on "X," singing, "Yeah, my life’s a mess, but I’m also blessed."

While Uzi's list of guest artists is rather short (only The Weeknd and Pharrell contribute guest vocals to the album), his list of producers is stacked. Pharrell, Rex Kudo, and Maaly Raw, among others, provide instrumentals that range from the vibrant, high-energy bounce of "Neon Guts" to the sinister, slow-moving trap strains of "Dark Queen." Rather than becoming complacent with his newfound superstardom and settling with one sound, Uzi is pushing his creative limits and experimenting. The results are sounding great.

Release date: August 25

Essential tracks: “Pretty Bull,” “Made For This,” “Baby Girl”

Every song and project Wiki every put out with Ratking always brought upon conversations of “authentic” New York hip-hop. There’s no need to debate that. From his accent to the subject matter, everything Wiki has ever rapped about has always felt very New York but it seems like he may have pulled back a new layer with his debut studio album No Mountains in Manhattan.

With a mix of mid-tempo production and beats with hard-hitting bass, this album sets up the perfect space for Wiki to deliver a virtual tour of the evolution of New York City through his own eyes in just under an hour. Wiki stays true to what he knows and tells personal stories in an alluring way. If you can relate, No Mountains in Manhattan will certainly hold a special place in your heart. And yet, even if you can’t relate Wiki’s storytelling ability is enough to keep your full, undivided attention for the duration of the album.

Release date: July 21

Essential tracks: “Boredom,” “I Ain’t Got Time!,” “Garden Shed”

Tyler, The Creator is in full bloom on Flower Boy, talking the least but saying the most. With less rapping than he’s used in the past, the album is his most mature and prettiest album to date. With a stellar slate of guests (Lil Wayne, Frank Ocean, Rex Orange County, Jaden Smith, Anna Of The North) and some touching lyrics addressing his personal struggles, Flower Boy is the last thing we’d expect from the guy behind Goblin. Regardless, Tyler excels taking on a directorial role, and this album is proof of that.

Release date: June 16

Essential tracks:  "Green Light," "Homemade Dynamite," "Hard Feelings/Loveless"

Expectations couldn't have been much higher for Lorde's sophomore album—2013's Pure Heroine introduced a new pop star to the world, and Lorde smartly took her time preparing for the followup. 

It was time well spent—Melodrama finds Lorde flexing her songwriting abilities well beyond rote pop structures on "Hard Feelings/Loveless" and the album's lead single "Green Light." Working with Jack Antonoff instead of Joel Little has the New Zealand pop star taking more chances, facing down her fears, and making incredible music. 

Release date: July 28

Essential tracks: “Yellow,” “Sundays,” “Spice Girl”

After breaking through with his viral breakout hit “Caroline,” Good For You gave Aminé a chance to prove he has staying power. On sneakily soulful songs like “Sunday” and the Charlie Wilson-assisted “Dakota,” the Portland rapper shows depth and proves there’s a lot more more going on here than a goofy personality who lucked out with a catchy song.

Aminé sounds just as comfortable stunting on a Metro Boomin-produced banger with Nelly on “Yellow” as he does dropping introspective bars on “Turf.” It feels like he’s just scratching the surface of his capabilities, but Good For You lays out an exciting roadmap of what’s to come from a very promising young artist—and it feels just bright and sunny enough to keep us going through winter.

Release date: July 14

Essential tracks: “Blu,” “All Around The World,” “Second 2 None”

Stitching together guest vocals from ASAP Rocky, Desiigner, Bonzai, Damon Albarn, A.K. Paul, and more, Mura Masa’s debut album is a snapshot of the diverse sounds of 2017 seen through the lens of the incredibly talented electronic producer.

Fleshing out his signature sound with thumb pianos and Japanese flutes, Masa somehow manages to pull an eye-popping collection of guests into his world and end up with a thoroughly enjoyable, cohesive album. You can enter this thing at any point and immediately recognize it as a Mura Masa joint—an impressive feat for a producer’s debut. If you were a fan of the album's massive singles “Love$ick” and “Firefly,” make sure to give the entire album a spin.

Release date: July 14

Essential tracks: “Road Head,” “Boyish,” “Jimmy Fallon Big!”

The second album from Japanese Breakfast is one of the year’s biggest growers, taking a while to fully digest. Sneaking out earlier this year during July, Soft Sounds from Another Planet is a gorgeous album worth spending some time with. It’s not always immediate, but tracks like “Road Head” and “Boyish” will jump out on first listen. With repeated listens, however, the back half of the album really starts to shine. Japanese Breakfast knows how to blend moments of ugliness with beauty remarkably well, making it one of the year’s most quietly essential releases.

Release date: July 7

Essential tracks: "Bank Account," "Famous," "Numb"

21 Savage is a star now, that much is undeniable. His album Issa debuted at No. 2 and sold over 77,000 units, and "Bank Account" is a meme-inspiring summer hit. Production comes from Metro Boomin, Southside, Pi'erre Bourne, Zaytoven, Wheezy, DJ Mustard and 21 Savage himself, and there's more variety across the project than on previous album Savage Mode.

Of course 21 Savage raps with his low-key delivery about street life but he also incorporates melody on songs like "FaceTime" and "Special" as he croons about love and women. Some people were quick to diminish 21 Savage as he blew up with tracks like "Red Opps," but Issa confirms that he's evolving, and he's going to be around for years.

Release date: June 9

Essential tracks: "Supermodel," "Doves in the Wind," "The Weekend"

SZA's debut album has been a long time coming, but thankfully Ctrl is finally here. Before its release, the wait for SZA's new album was hard to handle. However, after spending time with it, it's clear that SZA had to finish living out these experiences before she could write about them. Ctrl is about relationships, womanhood, self care, and more. But mostly, it's about being completely honest with yourself in order to grow into the better person you hoped to be.

Release date: July 7

Essential tracks: “Little of Your Love,” “Want You Back,” “Something to Tell You'”

HAIM's Days Are Gone is a tough act to follow, but the sisters returned with a more mature sound that showcases the same honest songwriting and addicting melodies on Something to Tell You. Returning to their roots and recorded in their parents' living room (with assists from Rostam Batmanglij and Ariel Rechtshaid), HAIM teaches us a familiar lesson: relationships are difficult. But with a refreshed sound, it's not a lesson that sounds tired, and it's clear that the sisters have another hit with Something to Tell You.

Release date: June 23

Essential tracks: “Big Fish,” “745,” “Yeah Right”

Vince Staples has always fit into his own lane. Regardless if the conversation is about rappers from the West Coast or emerging artists, Staples still seems to break the mold. On his second studio album, Big Fish Theory, Staples fits personal tales and important messages about representation—saying “We need Tamikas and Shaniquas in that Oval Office”—over fun production that takes inspiration from both hip-hop and dance music to create something that can bring often opposing audiences together.

Staples seems to do things in a rather effortless way but his methods are subtle and strategic. With guest appearances from Juicy J, Kendrick Lamar, Ty Dolla Sign, and more, Big Fish Theory squeezes in a little bit of something for everyone—making the result an all-inclusive, important album.

Release date: June 15

Essential tracks: "Relationship," "Family Don't Matter," "Feel It"

A “singing project” from Young Thug?! This could have gone in a lot of different directions, but in the end Beautiful Thugger Girls came out sounding amazing. There are songs that fit in with the music that Thug's already made, like the incredible "Relationship" with Future, but the majority of the tracks here feature guitar and Young Thug crooning. It shouldn't work this well, but Thug's charisma and pure, unrestricted creative energy carries the album. Yeehaw!

Release date: September 7

Essential tracks: “Black Ice,” “Wisp,” “Rot”

D33J has been releasing some compelling music for a while now, but he really took it to another level with his debut album Death Valley Oasis. Sitting at a brisk running time across ten tracks, he never outstays his welcome, mixing things up with a few excellent guest contributions that meld perfectly into his cohesive sound. There’s quite a lot going on, but at no point does it feel chaotic. It’s a kind of controlled chaos, best exemplified by the sounds on “Endless Fall” and “Black Ice,” but also at the end of the gorgeous Corbin-featuring “Rot.”

Read our interview with D33J about his new album and more here.

Release date: June 30

Essential tracks: “Slide,” “Hard to Love,” “Rollin'”

Chances are, fans of this album didn't necessarily expect to be fan of this album, but Calvin Harris did indeed craft a perfect summer album. Enlisting everyone from Jessie Reyez to Frank Ocean to ScHoolboy Q, Harris manages to pair the best in the game right now with his fun and infectious beats. Forget the "The Girls" Calvin Harris of yesteryear—this album is the producer like you've never heard, and it's hard to resist listening.

Release date: September 5

Essential tracks: “All Out,” “Revenge Song,” “Dragged”

Corbin has come a long way from Spooky Black. Leaving us waiting for his debut under his own name for over two years, Corbin finally delivered with the phenomenal Mourn. Living up to the expectations of his previous collaboration with Shlohmo and D33J of WeDidIt, the album expands on the sounds of his one off single “Worn.” Filled with darker lyrical content and an expanded palette of sounds, the album is one of the most confident debuts of the year.

Release date: August 17

Essential tracks: “Still Run It,” “Free Life,” “Global”

Lil B’s legendary Black Ken mixtape finally arrived this year after countless delays, and it’s not quite what anyone expected. But in a way, that’s exactly what we knew was coming, because nothing Lil B does is to be expected anymore. Black Ken is one of his weirdest mixtapes, but also one of his most enjoyable. Channeling throwback sounds and his hyphy west-coast roots, he’s made an album that’s both great and dumb as hell. This is peak Lil B, doing what only he can do in the best way possible.

Release date: September 7

Essential tracks: “Blue Train Lines,” “Audition,” “We Go Home Together”

One of the best things about Mount Kimbie’s music is that you never really know what to expect. Love What Survives certainly has elements of their previous output, but it’s also more energetic than anything else they’ve released. Full of fast-paced tracks and ambient interludes, it’s another stellar full-length from the duo. With two features from James Blake and an awesome contribution from King Krule amongst some captivating instrumental work, there’s plenty to love.

Release date: August 25

Essential tracks: "Pain," "Holding On," "Nothing To Find"

Rock music has bloomed in Philadelphia—bands like Sheer Mag, Girlpool, and Japanese Breakfast have flocked the America's original capital, injecting new life into a genre that is decidedly un-dead. 

How the Philly rock renaissance began is up for debate, but The War on Drugs' 2014 album Lost In The Dream brought it to the national stage. They returned stronger than ever this year with A Deeper Understanding—it's another ambitious offering, with most songs breaking the six-minute mark. That's ample time for Adam Granduciel and drummer Charlie Hall to envelop listeners in their buffeting soundwaves, and the band's ability to dig in to a groove has only gotten better with time. Granduciel's hoarse vocals is the string that holds it all together—he's found a sweet spot between Dylan and Springsteen only accessible by true student of music. 

Release date: September 29

Essential tracks: "Me Voy," "I Wanna Be Like You," "Deathless"

Ibeyi's music has always defied classification. They sing fluently in three languages, move between Yoruba and Afro-Cuban influences, and claim James Blake and Jay Electronica as influences. It's a lot to distill, but the final product is often pristine simplicity. 

Ash is the sisters' second full-length album, and finds them welcoming new friends like Chilly Gonzales and Kamasi Washington into the fold. They're taking more chances, bringing a little more attitude, adding some pop music, and leveling up in every way.

Release date: September 22

Essential tracks: "Power," "Laila's Wisdom," "Pay Up"

Rapsody had been shinning long before she was featured on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly, but recent successes have hit a crescendo with the release of her latest album, Laila's Wisdom—the first since she signed to Roc Nation last year.

Pure lyricism and musicality punctuates the listening experience on tracks like her Kendrick-featuring single "Power," the funky "Pay Up," and of course "Laila's Wisdom." Complete with a message, sterling production, and near-perfect execution, Rapsody's sophomore studio endeavour is not to be missed. 

Release date: September 9

Essential tracks: "Someone," "Lovers," "Baby"

Matching soothing vocals with shimmering synthesizers and driving percussion, Anna of the North's debut album is a diverse piece of electronic pop that's at once tranquil and energizing. Throughout Lovers, the Norwegian singer-songwriter tackles the realities of heartbreak from a mature, nuanced perspective that finishes with a dose of optimism. This is the kind of breakup album that'll take a moment to cradle you in a place of comfort, before finally delivering the motivation you need to get off your ass and try something new.

Release date: August 25

Essential tracks: “Gummy,” “Junky,” “Gamba”

Brockhampton are quickly turning themselves into rap’s most reliable group, producing two of the year’s best albums in less than six months. They’ve already got a third on the way, too, and judging from the quality of everything they’ve put out so far we’re in for yet another treat when that arrives later this year. Saturation II is somehow even better than the first, leading us to believe they’ll outdo themselves once again with the third entry. But what we have already is incredible. With passionately delivered verses and gorgeous hooks, this is one album that’ll leave a lasting impact.

Watch New Yorker's react to Brockhampton's "Junky" here.

Release date: October 13

Essential tracks: "Morning After," "Keep Calm," "Nuh Time/ Tek Time"

It's been two years since dvsn (pronounced "division") premiered under the watchful patronage of OVO Sound and the duo is only getting better with time. Their new album, Morning After, finds the duo perfecting their electric, love-strung sound and elevating to new heights of R&B. 

The project offers a selection of upbeat music that makes you dance as much as reflect on your last relationship. Medleys like "Nuh Time/ Tek Time," and "Keep Calm" showcase the duo's versatility with tempo as well as the depth of their songwriting prowess—all the while adding to the cohesive vibe of the whole album.

Release date: August 25

Essential tracks: “Best Part,” “Hold Me Down,” “Take Me Away”

For the last three years, Toronto singer Daniel Caesar has been making waves, with the release of his Praise Break EP in 2014 and Pilgrim's Paradise in 2015. However, when Caesar released his single “Get You” with Kali Uchis last year, it was clear that his sound had evolved significantly. His debut album Freudian is something very special.

Caesar has the ability to write love songs that run the gamut of emotions. In just under four minutes, it’s not uncommon to experiences warm loving emotions before being struck hard by triggering, heartbreaking memories—truly bring the blues back to Rhythm & Blues. Freudian provides the perfect soundtrack to cry to, sing along to, have an intimate moment with someone special, and really everything in between. In short, Daniel Caesar’s debut album is excellent.

Release date: October 13, 2017

Essential tracks: "Hang On Me," "Pills," "Happy Birthday Johnny"

Three years after her self-titled album established St. Vincent's Annie Clark as a modern rock visionary, the guitar goddess has returned with another album that sounds like the future. From the paper-thin ecstasy of "Pills" to the heartbroken disappointment of "Happy Birthday Johnny" and "Smoking Section," MASSEDUCTION is a masterclass in experimental pop songwriting. Every song has an arc, and the interplay between Clark's vocals and her guitar has never been sharper. 

The album spans both coasts ("New York" is far superior to "Los Ageless," fwiw) and benefits from the production chops of new collaborator Jack Antonoff. But it is Clark's show, one that is as inspiring as it is melancholy. "It's sorrow you can jam to," Clark told NPR. "We're all human beings walking around an insane planet, trying to figure it out. Everybody's just doing the best that they can, and I feel completely fine about opening up the breast and sharing that kind of stuff because everybody's been there, or if not everybody's been there, there's some little crystal in it that people can see of themselves." 

Release date: October 20

Essential tracks: "Patek Water," "Killed Before," "Feed Me Dope"

"This is just a teaser" of what Future and Young Thug have been working on, producer Southside told Complex. "These aren't even the hardest 13 songs." Whether or not we hear the rest of that music, Super Slimey stands strong as one of the year's most exciting rap projects. The two Atlanta icons each have their own distinct style, and they complement each other perfectly on tracks like "All da Smoke" and Offset-featuring fan favorite "Patek Water."

As fun as it is to hear the two of them together, solo tracks "Killed Before" (Young Thug) and "Feed Me Dope" (Future) are highlights, both on this tape and in each artist's own body of work.

Release date: October 13

Essential tracks: "Dum Surfer," "Czech One," "Half Man Half Shark," "Biscuit Town"

When Archy Marshall's debut album as King Krule arrived back in 2013, it was hailed as the beginning of a new era. The London teenager exhibited immense promise through EPs and one-offs, and was immediately burdened by exultations of greatness. 6 Feet Beneath the Moon was definitely a strong debut, but it's with his second album as Krule, The OOZ​, that's he living up to the colossal expectations we set.

The OOZ is a puttering acid-jazz manifesto carried by Marshall's guttural musings, jerking sharply out of half-sleep for spiky, punky moments that rise above the gloom. His voice is still remarkable, but Marshall is taking time and consideration with subtleties like delivery and dynamics.

His dreamlike lyrics, which often delve into the surreal, paint vivid pictures of a "universe in skulls," stoned to the point where the brain becomes "skunk and onion gravy." It's also the album that truly shows off how great a musician Archy Marshall really is, exhibiting the full breadth and blend of his abilities.

Release date: October 6

Essential tracks: "Gangstas & Dancers," "Peligro," "Times Tickin'"

Giggs' rap is just catching on to US audiences but he has been solidified talent for UK grime and hip-hop heads for a long time now. Wamp 2 Dem contains a plethora of raw, aggressive tracks and a host of winning features—Young Thug, Dave and Popcaan, just to name a few. 

Release date: October 27

Essential tracks: "Confetti," "The Light," "Price of Fame"

The reclusive genius of Big K.R.I.T. comes to the surface with this lengthy, two-part, 22-song album. Impressive lyricism shines through vivid story-telling on tracks like "Price of Fame," deserving of an attentive listen. This marks K.R.I.T.'s first project since splitting from Def Jam in 2016, so his fans have had to wait a long time to hear this, but they will not be disappointed. Everything from his tonality of voice to percussive harmony is razor-sharp on 4eva is A Mighty Long Time.

Release date: October 6

Essential tracks: "Take Me Apart," "Jupiter," "LMK"

Kelela captivates with a lush blend of sensual and cerebral touches on her long awaited "Take Me Apart". Her voice blends with the eclectic tempos and melodies on every song, making even shorter tracks like "Jupiter" leave a lasting effect. The time Kelela took to be patient and develop her lyricism is evident throughout the project. We've had to wait a while for Take Me Apart, but it's well worth the hype.

Release date: October 12

Essential tracks: "Born," "Who Knows," "Brink"

If you're looking for a hip-hop album full of impressive flows and acrobatic wordplay, but you're tired of boring self-serious rappers, give Lou The Human's debut album a spin. Drawing influences from early Eminem, while holding on to current 2017 sensibilities, Lou is a whip-smart young rapper capable of building fascinating worlds with his vivid lyricism—however dark and twisted that may be. Humaniac is a sinister dive into the deranged mind of a man who's gone insane, but Lou's compelling persona makes it a dive worth taking.

Release date: December 14, 2017

Essential tracks: "RENTAL," "BLEACH," "HOTTIE," "BOOGIE"

2017 could only end one way for Brockhampton. After releasing the first two installments of their SATURATION trilogy, the boys saved their best for last: SATURATION III is a high-octane musical trip that starts hard ("BOOGIE") and ends in tears of joy ("TEAM"). The production team, led by Romil, is at the top of their game on tracks like "RENTAL" and "BLEACH," and as always, everyone from Merlyn Wood to Kevin Abstract himself has a moment in the spotlight. There's a fourth studio album coming, too—at this point we feel like gluttons with all this Brockhampton greatness, but we could probably make room for one more musical feast. 

Release date: December 28, 2017

Essential tracks: "Just For Us," "Morning," "Faithful"

Francis Starlite is best-known for his high-profile collaborations with artists like Chance The Rapper, Kanye West, and Justin Vernon. On his new album, Just For Us, however, Francis stands on his own. Wedging intimate relationship-centric lyrics inside an '80s-leaning synth pop sound, punctuated by his signature prismizer vocal effect, Francis proves himself as a compelling solo artist on Just For Us. Also, kudos for finessing a beautiful song like “Morning” into an unlikely placement as the theme song for season 14 of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.​

Release date: January 10

Essential tracks: "Nowadays," "Red Roses," "Lust"

Lil Skies' rise to popularity was shockingly fast, even by SoundCloud standards, and his debut project, Life of a Dark Rose, proves that there is substance behind his sudden success. He’s got more presence on the mic than a lot of his peers, using nimble flows and poppy melodies to anchor airy production from the likes of CashMoneyAp and Maaly Raw.

While his subject matter remains pretty consistent, Skies shows the ability to vary his tone and delivery when the moment's right. He stunts with winning charm on “Lust” and “Signs of Jealousy,” but is more rueful and forlorn on somber cuts like “Cloudy Skies” and “Nowadays,” which features a choice turn from feathery trap-pop singer Landon Cube. If you’re a fan of the texture and mood of SoundCloud rap but have wanted to hear it in a more polished form, then give Life of a Dark Rose a spin.

Release date: December 15, 2017

Essential tracks: "Lucky," "Backseat," "I Got It"

Charli XCX has tasted true success in the pop sphere, co-writing number one hits for Icona Pop ("I Love It") and Iggy Azealea ("Fancy"), as well has having her own hit with "Boom Clap." On Pop 2 however, she pushes boundaries and explores new sonic territory, all while writing incredibly catchy pop music. PC Music producer A.G. Cook is credited on every song, and he throws everything from '80's synth pop to trance to contemporary trap rap into the mix, while keeping the entire project impressively cohesive.

The guest list is a lot of fun too, featuring pop stars like Carly Rae Jepsen and MO as well as underground heroes like CupcakKe and Mykki Blanco. Throughout the album, Charli's voice is heard through filters and effects, but in the end, the music is incredibly human, from heartbroken slower songs like "Lucky" to empowering anthems like "I Got It."

Release date: December 25, 2017

Essential tracks: "Big Banc Uchies," "Flu Flamming" 

There’s been an impressive run of tongue-twisting West Coast rappers bringing their unique regional flavor to the masses, and Drakeo The Ruler might just be the most vibrant and unique of the bunch. After having his come-up temporarily derailed by a weapons charge in 2017, Drakeo returned with Cold Devil, a serpentine display of his skill on the mic and knack for provincial wordplay that’ll have you nodding along even if you’ve never heard terms like “flu flamming” and “big banc uchies.”

Drakeo doesn’t rap so much as let his knowledge and experiences seep out in controlled bursts; no two cadences are the same. Drakeo’s L.A., depicted so vividly on tracks like “Red Tape, Yellow Tape” and “Backseat Bandit,” is brimming with danger around every corner. Drakeo doesn’t put on a chain without reminding you what he’ll do if you try to snatch it off him. Cold Devil is filled with unconventional rhyme schemes, quotable bars (“Neiman & Marcus Don’t Know You” is a particular standout) and leery beats from rising producers like Shawn Beats and Bruce24K, who help bring Drakeo’s singular vision of his city to life.

Release date: November 17, 2017 

Essential tracks: "Batman," "SYRE," "Falcon"

Jaden Smith's childhood has been spent in the spotlight but SYRE feels like a departure from a rocky adolescence as Will Smith's son. Featuring collaborations with Tyler, the Creator, A$AP Rocky and Raury, Jaden's debut is a stellar project that lives up to months of hype.

SYRE, as characterized by the eponymous track, is atypical and experimental in many ways. He takes chances and tries new things when it comes to structure, variety of cadence, and voice. Jaden just might prove everyone wrong and carve out a nice long career for himself if he continues to improve and impress like this.

Release date: December 21, 2017

Essential tracks: "Modern Slavery," "Eye 2 Eye," "Dubai Shit"

Towards the end of 2017, it seemed as if there was a surprise big name rap collaboration project every other week. Travis Scott and Quavo's Huncho Jack project doesn't reach the same heights as the best moments of Future and Young Thug's Super Slimey or 21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin's Without Warning, but it's still a solid project. Their melodic approaches and vocal effect heavy styles do end up a little repetitive over 13 tracks, but when they're riding a fun Southside beat or dropping crazy flexes about jet skiing in Dubai, it's a lot of fun.

Release date: November 10, 2017

Essential tracks: "Agony," "Drop It / Scooter," "Red Bottom Sky"

Throughout the years, Swedish rapper Yung Lean has set himself apart from other viral success stories and popular rap alike. With Stranger, he's delivered his most mature and focused project yet. Taking on a completely different form to that of his earliest material, Stranger is sparse, catchy, and occasionally haunting. "Agony," the piano-led penultimate track, is the most immediate highlight here, but there's not really a single dud on it.

Stranger rejects what's big right now and reinvents who Yung Lean is as an artist. Elements of his euphoric Unknown Memory era sound still linger, but for the most part this is a fresh take. It's inviting and quite often gorgeous, something that seems hard to grasp considering where Lean started musically. Either way, he's slowly progressed into one of the most interesting rappers around, even if Stranger is his least rap-influenced release so far.

Release date: December 1, 2017

Essential tracks: "Told You So," "Sky Walker," "City of Angels," "Pineapple Skies"

Miguel is the gold standard for inventive pop songwriting—that might have been an opinion before War & Leisure, but it's a hard fact now that we have this album. It's his fourth studio album, and Miguel was involved in most of the album's production as well as its songwriting. The result is a wide-ranging, highly successful effort that ranges from the bittersweet "City of Angels" to the sheer euphoria of "Told You So" and "Pineapple Skies." And while Miguel is one of our best modern songwriters, he's pulling from the past, too—see if you can spot the J Dilla and Marvin Gaye interpolations. 

Release date: October 27, 2017

Essential tracks: "Love U Better," "Dawsin's Breek," "Don't Sleep On Me"

Dolla did it again. The California crooner has been busy since 2015's monumental Free TC, dropping multiple tapes and guesting on more big-name releases than we'd care to count. But Ty Dolla Sign has stayed focused, and Beach House 3 is his most buoyant, polished released yet. 

A lot of famous faces make appearances, from The-Dream and Future to Damien Marley and Jeremih. Most of the songs on here could have been singles—they're tightly packed R&B diamonds, and Dolla's inimitable voice is front and center. Five stars. 

Release date: November 24, 2017

Essential tracks: "Blissing Me," "Arisen My Senses," "Courtship"

For her latest exploration of sound and senses, Björk partnered with habitual boundary-pusher Arca on all but two of the tracks on Utopia. The producer is famous for informing Kanye West's industrial, grating vision for Yeezus, but in Björk's hands, Arca's production becomes a much subtler, more subdued affair. The slow feedback crescendos and ambient swirls complement Björk's patient ruminations beautifully, and the resulting album is otherworldly in the best of ways, transmissions beamed in from the darkest regions of space that force us to question what we define as a song. 

Release date: January 12

Essential tracks: "New Biome," "Friends," "Koreatown"

If you need some bright, springtime energy in the middle of this miserably cold winter, Sure Sure’s self-titled debut album is the move. For the last few years, the quirky indie pop quartet have been holed up at their home studio in the hills of East LA, writing infectious melodies and perfecting their warm sound. Now their full-length debut has arrived, and it’s full of buoyant, playful sounds and deceptively nuanced songwriting. It’s easy to see why these guys already have co-signs from veterans like Grizzly Bear and Rostam of Vampire Weekend.

Release date: October 13, 2017

Essential tracks: "Gang Over Luv," "Stay Down," "Talk 2 U"

Late last year, Brent Faiyaz joined forces with producers Atu and Dpat to form Sonder. Together the trio released an impressive EP that fused their individual styles into one cohesive, alluring sound. Although Faiyaz stands at the forefront of the group as the lead vocalist and has already released music of his own in the past, his official debut Sonder Son offers up a new perspective and deeper look into the singer's experiences. From beginning to end, Sonder Son is Faiyaz's personal story, yet he manages to make it relatable enough to reflect each listener's own story.

Read our interview with Brent Faiyaz here.

Release date: November 10, 2017

Essential tracks: "All Right Now," "Special," "Tougher Than The Rest"

Over the course of two excellent albums, Angel Olsen has cemented herself as one of rock music's most unique and unflappable saviors. Her songs ache with raw emotion, whether they're backed by a full, fuzzy-amped band or relying on the hypnotic power of Olsen's voice and an acoustic guitar. 

A lot changed between Burn Your Fire For No Witness (2014) and My Woman (2016). Olsen became something of a household name—her songs got bigger, her video budgets followed suit, and the folk singer became a rock star. That transition is masterfully, and delicately, documented on Phases, a collection of B-sides and demos recorded during those formative years. The album moves chronologically, and while the necessarily rough edges lend their own kind of charm, there's a wide range of great songs on Phases that could be folk classics in any setting. 

Release date: October 26, 2017

Essential tracks: "Holding On," "That Easy," "Nothing's Going to Keep Me Down"

The first time I heard Yellow Days, I pictured him as a heartbroken middle-aged man. There's a ragged quality to his voice and an overall sense of sorrow that lead me to believe he'd been through some serious shit. Maybe he'd seen multiple divorces and nasty child custody disputes—who knows. As it turns out, though, Yellow Days is a wise-beyond-his-years teenager from London. He's only 18.

Despite his youth, Yellow Days has developed a philosophical viewpoint on the world that makes his debut album a stop-you-in-your-tracks listen. Paired with a mastery of his instruments, Yellow Days' prodigal talents swirl into a woozy, soulful project that's captivating from top to bottom.  And he's getting attention from all the right places: "Gap In The Clouds" was recently featured in a trailer for the second season of Donald Glover's Atlanta. 

Release date: December 14, 2017

Essential tracks: "Voilà," "Lemon," "Lightning Fire Magic Prayer"

In their first full release since 2010, ​N.E.R.D. put out a star-studded album, pulling features from the likes of Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, André 3000 and more. The group had our full attention when “Lemon” dropped a couple months back, and No One Ever Really Dies kept it. The album is full of exuberant energy, throwing a mix of uptempo production on a wide swath of genres for listeners to comb through. If nothing else, it's an incredibly ambitious album, one that mixes fun, party-ready tracks with the group’s pursuit to address the political climate in songs like “Deep Down Body Thurst” and "Don't Don't Do It."

Release date: November 17, 2017

Essential tracks: “Dat Side,” “Murda,” “I'm Fine”

It's been a long time coming, but CyHi The Prynce finally delivered No Dope on Sundays, and it lives up to the expectations. The album is stacked with big-name guest features from artists like Kanye West, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, Pusha T, Estelle, ScHoolboy Q, and more, over 15 new tracks. The big name features are going to draw people in, but some of the low-key highlights on this project feature CyHi solo, proving that good rapping and hard-hitting beats still go a long way.

Release date: January 5

Essential tracks: "Crayons," "Duck Duck Goose," "Cartoons"

For her fourth full-length release, Cupcakke delivers a highly anticipated and particularly raunchy album, complete with mind-blowing production and bars to match. Cupcakke dials up her traditional themes, experimenting with a range of genres from trap to dance. What stays consistent, however, is her ability to spit heat. Reminiscent of Trina in her “Nann” days, Cupcakke’s rhymes radiate true sex appeal and bluntness, especially when she's discussing sexuality on tracks like “Crayons,” another LGBT anthem. Through it all, Cupcakke’s album is fun and playful, without sacrificing the authenticity that allows her to tackle issues very relevant in our social climate.

Release date: November 10, 2017

Essential tracks: "Barbie & Ken," "Blame," "I Think We Should Stay In Love"

He may be best known as the lead singer of The Neighbourhood, but behind the scenes, Jesse Rutherford has been building a rock-solid reputation as a producer. The first signs appeared on 2014's #000000 & #FFFFFF mixtape, but Jesse's myriad interests have fully crystallized on &. It's a sweet, sad, and ultra-modern confessional, full of mystified confidence and self-doubt that's amplified by Dylan Brady's deliciously destructive production.

Jesse has always been an open book with his lyrics, and here he's confronting the trappings of fame with a stoned smile and a whole tool belt of new sounds. & is sly, wry, and an indication that Jesse Rutherford's adventures in music could go in a number of directions.

Release date: January 12

Essential tracks: "Havana," "Never Be The Same," "Inside Out"

After an acrimonious split from pop girl group Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello headed out on her own as a solo act, and it's been an undeniable success so far. Her lead single "Havana" has spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 2, and her debut album, Camila, is an incredibly solid—and now Billboard No.1—pop record. The Cuban-American singer delivers a mix of songs with a clear Latin influence like "Havana" and "She Loves Control," as well as huge, aching pop ballads like "Never Be The Same" and "Consequences." Maybe most importantly, it feels more honest than her past in Fifth Harmony—it's this sense of authenticity paired with some commanding vocal performances that makes Camila so hard to ignore.

Release date: October 31, 2017

Essential tracks: "Rap Saved Me," "Ric Flair Drip," "Mad Stalkers"

This ten-track collaborative mixtape from 21 Savage, Metro Boomin, and Offset is as exciting as anything in recent rap memory. Driven by the undeniable chemistry between all involved, 21 Savage shines through in new light, working as part of a superteam as opposed to carrying every song himself.

Building on the hype of his last release Issa, 21 Savage's vocal presence is much improved and a welcome sign of what might come in the future. Offset accomplishes some of his best delivery on tracks like "Disrespectful" and "Rap Saved Me," and Metro Boomin continues to show why he's rap's hottest producer.