10) The Harlem Gospel Travelers – “Rhapsody” (2024)
This trio, Ifedayo Gatling, Dennis Bailey, and George Marage, got their musical journey started back in 2019. They began as a duo when Gatling and Marage studied under the same mentor, learning about the combination of 60’s inspired gospel music and more contemporary funk and soul.
The group released their first album, “He’s On Time”, in 2019 earning them comparison to some of the greats such as Elton John, and even slots in music festivals like Telluride Jazz. This new album is the group’s attempt at making music that bends genres and makes the listener reconsider the idea of categorizing music.
The highlighted track, “Somebody’s Watching You” features some beautiful singing that sticks with you even after the song ends.
9) Hippo Campus – “Flood” (2024)
Hailing from St. Paul, Minnesota, bedroom pop band Hippo Campus is back with the release of their 4th full-length album, “Flood”. On this album the band attempts to step away from any preconceived notions of how their music ‘should’ sound, instead deciding to start creating this album from a clean slate.
With themes of vulnerability across the record, the group aimed to capture a universal feeling that everyone can relate to. This new set of songs demonstrates what can be made when you have a tight-knit group that has been growing together both musically and personally, strengthening their bond with their art and their fans.
The highlighted track, “Fences” explores feelings of melancholy and the prolonged feeling of frustration that comes with being trapped in a disappointing situation.
8) Suki Waterhouse – Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin” (2024)
Starting out as a model and actress, Suki Waterhouse began releasing music in 2016 with her single, “Brutally”. Some of the works Waterhouse is most recognizable for are her roles in “Love, Rosie”, “Detective Pikachu”, and “Daisy Jones & the Six”.
As she continued balancing her acting and singing careers, her first full-length album, “I Can’t Let Go” wasn’t released until 2022. This latest release, “Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin” comes after the artist opened for Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” at Wembley Stadium.
This week’s highlighted track, “Gateway Drug”, is a love song in which the singer compares her affection to the addictive qualities of drugs.
7) Mildlife – “Chorus” (2024)
This Australian psychedelic rock group takes influence from jazz to create their unique sound. The group has been making music together since 2013, with their first album, “Phase” coming out in 2017.
In their earlier work, they lean into being nonsensical while retaining elements of their musicality that were later fleshed out to create a richer sound. The band takes inspiration from acts like Tame Impala, upbeat and dancey with a bit of a rock twist.
This week’s highlighted track, “Forever” is reminiscent of The Temptations with some funky bass.
6) Childish Gambino – “Bando Stone & The New World” (2024)
Childish Gambino, aka Donald Glover, started his musical career in 2011 with his album “Camp”. He was known widely as a comedian who got his start as a writer for “30 Rock” before becoming an actor. Both of us on the music team were big fans of his work in the show “Community” as Troy Barnes.
His comedy background and musical inclination explain the silly nature of his earlier work. When Gambino shifted into a more serious tone while maintaining his whimsy, he really began to shine as a musician. This album came shortly after the release of “Atavista”, allowing Childish Gambino to solidify his spot as a staple summer artist. Glover has also stated that this album will serve as the soundtrack to an upcoming movie of the same title.
The highlighted track this week is “Lithonia”, which gives gospel vocals and some Midwest emo vibes.
5) Khal!l – HEART: Melodies of the Eternal Flame
R&B artist Khal!l hails from Milwaukee, where he found his love of singing by participating in his church’s choir. This led to his passion for music inspiring him to learn how to play instruments and produce music.
Khal!l takes inspiration from artists like Blood Orange, Bon Iver, and Toro y Moi. These artists are known for different things like disting melodies, omnipresent vocals, and electronic production. Khal!l fuses all of these elements together to create this latest album.
The highlighted track this week, “Kawasaki”, is a blend of soulful vocals with some stretched-out synths.
4) beabadoobee – “This Is How Tomorrow Moves” (2024)
British singer/songwriter beabadoobee comes from the Philippines and takes inspiration from Pinoy vocalists as well as indie rock artists like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Alex G. The singer first gained notoriety when placed on a list with other rising acts, like Billie Eilish, and led to beabadoobee touring with Clairo to support her Immunity tour.
Her song, “Coffee” was sampled for a TikTok song, “Death Bed” by Powfu, which is when the singer really made her way into the public spotlight. This last fall she performed at Tyler, the Creator’s music festival, Camp Flog Gnaw, at the event’s biggest stage drawing an audience excited to hear the musician’s live vocals as well as her bass skills.
The highlighted track this week, “A Cruel Affair”, feels like a warm breeze or a day on the beach.
3) Miles Nautu – “Allude” (2024)
Aboriginal-Australian rapper Miles Nautu combines jazz and hip-hop on this new EP to create a laid-back feeling with interesting wordplay. Inspired by artists like Isaiah Rashad, Joey Bada$$ and Kendrick Lamar, Nautu has said that “Allude” is his first project with this much intentionality behind it. Even the title of the project is meant to reference what may be coming up next for what the artist has been working on
The record also features several features from Detroit-based rapper Marigold on the track “Reverie” and “Names”. Other USA-based artists Nautu has collaborated with include Hidden Renaissance and T H R O N E.
This week’s highlighted track is called “Names” in entrancing with its relaxing jazzy beats and dynamic flow.
2) Clairo – “Charm” (2024)
Clairo got her start by posting her bedroom pop tracks to the internet back in 2017. Songs like “Pretty Girl” and “Flaming Hot Cheetos” garnered the singer/songwriter swarms of fans, eager to hear what she could do on a record. In 2019, she released her first full-length project, “Immunity” which kept all the soft qualities fans had come to love with some higher quality production and clarity. Tracks “Bags” and “Sofia” from this project remain popular among fans and casual listeners alike.
After no album release for 3 years, fans were enthralled when Clairo announced “Charm”. The lead single, “Sexy to Someone”, showed a new side of Clairo. The artist-led into a new style of instrumentation with piano and woodwinds heavy in the mix. The release cycle also saw the artist’s first music video in 6 years, for the track “Juna”.
The highlighted track this week, “Sexy to Someone” features soft vocals over a rhythmic, bluesy backdrop.
1)Magdalena Bay – “Imaginal Disk” (2024)
Pop duo Magdalena Bay is back with their 3rd studio album, “Imaginal Disk”. Following the release of “Mercurial World” (2021), fans of Magdalena Bay have been waiting to see what the synth-pop duo had in store for their next album. Expanding on themes previously explored, the new album offers both more personal themes lyrically and a much richer sound on the instrumental side.
Both of us on the music team got to see the duo bring the songs to life on the Denver stop of their “Imaginal Mystery” tour. With elaborate staging, lighting, decor, and costuming the show was truly unforgettable. The album is full of bright spots making it hard to pick just one song to spotlight.
The highlighted track, “Image”, features rolling synths and sweet vocal melodies. The build-up of the guitars in the background is guaranteed to make you want to dance.