Marika Hackman – I’m Not Your Man

Somewhere between folksy introspection and grungy explosion, that’s where you’ll find the music of Marika Hackman, particularly this latest dynamic record. It begins with in-studio laughter and teems with an empowered purpose and voice. As an added bonus the backing band is fellow Brits The Big Moon, whose debut album featured in the jukebox a couple months back. Lots of that ol’ grunge favourite quiet-quiet-loud technique. If there’s a criticism here it’s that the album’s a few tracks too long and the back end doesn’t match the remarkable four songs that begin the record, but let’s not get picky.

Brockhampton - Saturation

The Texas collective Brockhampton came together as the 'internet's first boy band' to drop their first album 'Saturation' and if you're that guy/girl in your group who is always ahead of the curve musically, then take not of Brockhampton. 'Saturation' mainly features six of Brockhampton's rappers and production is handled by their own producer. Seamless transitions between different flows provided by the members of the posse and strangely beautiful sounds make this a low key album that needs your attention.

Jimi Tents – I Can’t Go Home

Brooklyn rapper Jimi Tents made a bit of a name for himself in 2016 with his debut EP (5 O’Clock Shadow). Not enough of a name that he feels he’s cracked it though, which is why we’re blessed with a fierce album about a young man’s journey to make something of himself, to find a purpose in his life and fulfil it, and about the determination to not to go home until he’s done so. Tracks like The Shining and No Looking Back (Glance) really get at that artistic destiny while Watchu Gon Do… mate, that’s just a jam.

Jay Worthy x The Alchemist - Fantasy Island

One half of LNDN DRGS, Jay Worthy links up with veteran producer Alchemist to continue his path of funk and laid back raps. The two deliver 'Fantasy Island' and while the overall sound doesn't differ too much from typical LNDN DRGS, the sound is sharper, incorporating a wider selection of sounds and samples.

Benjamin Booker – Witness

It ain’t exactly a fresh idea to tackle the state of race in America these days but when somebody, in a post-To Pimp A Butterfly World, does it well it’s as stirring and raw as you can possible imagine. Benjamin Booker draws equally from the wells of Blind Willie Johnson as he does The Gun Club and Ty Segall, his New Orleans growl adorned with a punk-blues attitude and sound. Sounds about ideal for some powerful protest music, really. Booker isn’t gonna stand back and watch as injustice goes uncalled.

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – The Nashville Sound

There isn’t a finer songwriter on the planet than Isbell, that’s simply a stone-cold fact. The man is a poet the way he turns a phrase and he’s capable of tapping into a devastating level of insight that’ll tear you up from the inside out. Take ‘If We Were Vampires’, for example. As heartbreaking a song as you’ve ever heard and yet somehow immensely inspiring and gorgeous. It takes a genius to walk that tightrope. A couple tracks don’t quite carry the same weight but there’s plenty to adore in songs like ‘Last of My Kind’, ‘Tupelo’ and ‘Molotov’. Witness a master at work.

Vince Staples - Big Fish Theory

Vince Staples is back with another epic project 'Big Fish Theory'. Any time Staples delivers a collection of tunes, you'd be wise to approach it with an open mind as you never know what to expect and BFT has Staples walking down a strange path. Strange in a excessively good way as Staples delivers his standard menacing bars over up-tempo production that not only pushes hip hop forward, it's also pushing boundaries for alternative music as well. The thing is; Staples doesn't compromise the substance of his lyrics and skill.

Fleet Foxes – Crack-Up

You know what Robin Pecknold’s been doing in the long break between Fleet Foxes albums? He’s been back to school at Columbia University. It was a clever move, the Foxes have always had that sweet neo-folk thing about them but now they’ve got the words and stories to really illuminate things, keep the songs from drifting into that too-smooth territory. It’s the little things that stand out here: the gentle percussion, the twists of phrasing, the pecks and twangs and shimmers. They’re a better band now on the other side of the wilderness.

Jay-Z - 4:44

A new Jay-Z album is going to come with all sorts of hype, although you could argue that hearing from Jay-Z with so many talented youngsters on the scene (like Vince Staples) might not be so enjoyable. The insight offered by Jay-Z on '4:44' on different areas of his life, society and hip hop provides an entertaining listen though, then you've got Jay breezing over No I.D.'s production as only he can. '4:44' is one heck of a reminder that Jay-Z is still leading the pack and we couldn't do much better as a hip hop community than having him in such a position.

Colter Wall – Colter Wall

One listen to the first song of this self-titled album and you get the idea. These are some heavy-livin’, always-ramblin’, outlaw country-folk kinda Townes Van Zandt jams. Dude’s got a voice that could cause an earthquake it’s so deep and he plays that guitar like it’s the only thing he really believes in. Crazy thing is, he’s a 22 year old Canadian bloke – even though he sounds like a 45 year old Appalachian on the wrong end of two failed marriages and a couple stints in rehab. There are a million bad TVZ impersonators out there and this may not be the most original stuff you’ve ever heard (he borrows all the clichés, all the imagery and even a couple songs - one TVZ cover here and one traditional as arranged by TVZ) but it’s so rare to hear one who actually feels deserving to carry on the legacy.

SZA - Ctrl

TDE run music and you'd be well advised to look into their roster, deeper than just Kendrick Lamar. That's where you'll find SZA who came to TDE out of New Jersey, now gracing us with a debut album 'Ctrl'. As we have come to expect from TDE artists, SZA crushes her debut album and if you're after some some mellow, emotional, immensely creative jams then 'Ctrl' is a mandatory listen.

Guerilla Toss – GT Ultra

You might not guess it to listen but this is about as accessible as Guerilla Toss have ever been. Their jagged punk art has been refined to incorporate a few hooks and grooves but don’t panic, GT Ultra still embraces all the weirdness and experimental sounds you’d hope for. With guitar sounds that stab at you from all angles and vocals which beguile in their deliberate delivery, this is a band that sounds like nothing else. One can argue the lyrics aren’t as sharp as they pretend to be but no dramas. Make sure you listen to it one time and just focus on the drumming… goddamn.

Songhoy Blues - Résistance

If these Malian exiles aren’t your favourite African desert-punk-blues band then… congrats on a widespread ear. But they really should be, Songhoy Blues tear it up, man. This is hugely political stuff from a band with plenty to offer there but it’s mostly in French so you’ll need to tackle the translation book. Good thing the grooves are tight and the rhythms stomping and Iggy Pop even shows up at one point. If you’ve got Iggy on board then you’re already winning.