Hip-Hop

Wiki – Half-God

   If you like “6:16 in LA” by Kendrick Lamar or are a fan of Odd Future and its affiliates, Wiki is right up your alley. “The most known unknown,” rapper Wiki is a champion of the New York underground scene. Since his solo debut in 2015, he has remained consistently ahead the pack within his community, reaching a peak with Half God (2021). On top of production by equally talented producer Navy Blue, Wiki intricately rhymes about his relationships, struggles, and the paths he’s walked down to get where he is. Wiki holds nothing back over stripped-back emotional samples while still making time to defend his hometown over thunderous drum breaks—Half God displays Wiki touching every base with ease.

Rock

Minutemen – Double Nickels on the Dime

If you’re looking for something along the lines of The Dead Kennedys or Sound-garden, look out for Minutemen. Double Nickels on the Dime is a 43-song double album that only comes to about an hour and fourteen minutes of music due to, as their name may suggest, every track landing at about a minute and a half long. The blazing-fast songs still amaze, however, conjuring up energetic ideas that stay fresh and independent throughout the LP. A blend of punk-rock, country, and funk keeps your attention throughout the whole record, which is often praised as one of the best rock albums of the ‘80s.

Indie/Soul

Standing On The Corner – Standing On The Corner

For fans of Tame Impala, The Strokes, or anyone who enjoys indie/soul, this is worth checking out. Mysterious to a fault, Standing On The Corner is a collective based out of New York City, and their debut album, Standing On The Corner (2017), is a fun mess of soulful indie rock alongside myriad other influences. The lo-fi percussion and romantic electric guitar are easy highlights of the project, and the lead singer Gio Escobar’s shaky yet soothing vocals tie together the whirlwind sonic palette of the long play (LP). Andrew Polk, ‘25, even said it was “one of [his] favorite albums of all time.” While delightfully eclectic, the album has recently been taken off of streaming services with no response from the band members, but can still be found on YouTube.

R&B

Liv.e – Couldn’t Wait to Tell You…

Fans of D’Angelo, Madlib, Erykah Badu, or Ms. Lauryn Hill, look out: you’ll find something to love in this LP. Jazzy and low-key, Liv.e’s 2020 debut album presents a fresh, modern take on the neo-soul popularized in the late 90s. Liv.e’s freeform lyrics, switching between spoken word and steady crooning, are brought to life by her gorgeous vocals, all over lush R&B production that’s equal parts D’Angelo and Madlib. Liv.e’s serenades, snide and sarcastic life updates, and reflection on past mistakes make for a calmly upbeat debut project that scratches an itch you didn’t know was there.