Mild High Club
Going Going Gone

Going Going Gone is a love letter to the genre that highly influenced frontman Alex Brettin. A departure from the psychedelic sounds of his previous work, this album leans into his roots as a jazz musician.

Track to check out: Me, Myself and Dollar Hell

When/where to play this album:
As soon as you fall in love.

Japanese Breakfast
Jubilee

Japanese Breakfast is not a new face to the pop scene, but with Jubilee she soldifies herself as a songwriter to pay attention to. the album deals with the highs and lows of love, and feels eerily relatable. A fantastic album, one that will be talked about for years to come.

Track to check out: Slide Tackle

When/where to play this album:
As soon as you break up.

Marinero
Hella Love

Filled to the brim with brain itching percussion, tight brass composure and warm guitar tones, Marinero gives us a funky pop, lounge album.

Track to check out: Nuestra Victoria

When/where to play this album:
Dance party on a cobblestone patio

Maxo Kream
WEIGHT OF THE WORLD

Maxo Kream has matured as an MC as he delivers master class in modern rap. Clever bars and poignant double
entendres cover grief, trauma, addiction,  success and dealing with fame.

Track to check out: Greener Knots

When/where to play this album:
When you overcoming obstacles in order to grow

Black Midi 
Cavalcade

Cavalcade is a chaotic cacophony of experimental math rock, pushing their sound into new directions, challenging the listener’s perception of what rock music is at every turn.

Track to check out: John L

When/where to play this album:
Play as background music while arguing in a Reddit thread about which Radiohead album is the best.

Zack Fox 
Shut the F**k Up Talking To Me

One of the most entertaining rap albums of the year, packed with absurdist lyrics, making the listener want to laugh, fight, mosh and rap along. 
Pitchfork was wrong about this one.

Track to check out: FAFO

When/where to play this album:
Right as you are about to get into a drunk barfight... in the middle of the day.

BADBADNOTGOOD
Talk Memory

You’ve never heard a jazz album like this before. BADBADNOTGOOD is continually pushing the envelope of what jazz means to a modern audience. 

Track to check out: Timid, Intimidating

When/where to play this album:
When you are trying to explain to your friends that YES, in fact jazz is actually cool.

Gaspard Auge & Justice
Escapades

French electronic duo Justice created an album straight out of an 80s science fiction film. Tightly sequenced synth basslines dominate the album.

Track to check out: Force Majeure

When/where to play this album:
Play while dreaming of space exploration or when actually engaging in space exploration. French electronic music but in spaaaaace!

STR4TA
Aspects

Complete with infectious basslines and with a heavy dose of fast paced jazz fusion,  Aspects is a fantistic journey into the world of Gilles Peterson and Jean-Paul Maunick as their first outing as the duo STR4TA.

Track to check out: We Like It

When/where to play this album:
During your morning cup of coffee... but after your third when you are all jittery. 

Eyedress
Mulholland Drive

Eyedress proves on Mulholland Drive that he is far more than a viral tiktok artist. Some of the most intruiguing production on a rock album this year. I am eagerly anticipating his next solo project.

Track to check out: Dancing with my Demons

When/where to play this album:
Not around people who are on Tiktok, they’ll ask you if you’ve ever heard Jealous. Like, yes, we all have, it’s really good.

Inner Wave
Apoptosis

From heartwarming to heartbreaking, Apoptosis is a sentimental album, delving into love and loss. Inner Wave creates a cohesive indie rock album that is consistent from front to back.

Track to check out: Memory (Trees)

When/where to play this album:
Entering a new chapter in life. 

Mustard Service 
Fiddle Lake

Florida based group Mustard Service released this four track EP at the end of 2021 and immediately caught my attention. While listening to the soundsw folk-indie fusion, you can’t help but bob your head to the warbled guitar of the opening track named named eponymously to the EP. 

Track to check out: Drugs and Alcohol

When/where to play this album:
A sunny day by the lake enjoying drugs and or alcohol.