By February 5, 2023
Each month, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite new music releases with CLTure, an entertainment publication based in Charlotte, where I currently live and attend school. My journey as a music fan and connection to a certain prominent rapper is well documented in an article published on their site in November. As an aspiring music journalist, I was able to join their team as a writer, covering my first show in January.
As a fan first, the range of music that I enjoy is boundless, and we hope this serves as a guide for many who need a quick snapshot of some of the best releases each month.
Lil Yachty – Let’s Start Here
On his fifth studio album, Lil Yachty delivers a dazzling body of work, shifting genres and drawing influence from psychedelic and alternative rock acts like Pink Floyd, Yves Tumor, Tame Impala, and more. In doing so, Yachty added a significant, unique touch to a style of music that is tried and true. It’s great to see artists step out of their comfort zone and reinvent themselves with no restrictions, reminiscent of what Tyler, the Creator was able to do for himself stylistically with IGOR.
Parannoul – After the Magic
The anonymous South Korean musical sensation, Parannoul, is back with another enchanting album following 2021’s To See the Next Part of the Dream. Parannoul’s instrumentation throughout this project is mesmerizing, drawing influences from a broad range of indie rock bands from The National to shoegaze pioneers My Bloody Valentine. Standout tracks “Arrival” and “Imagination” are the perfect to get lost in during the cold winter months.
Reuben Vincent – Love Is War
Reuben Vincent is a rising rapper out of Charlotte who’s matured into one of the best young lyricists in the game. Vincent showcases his ability to write passionate verses and flow on various styles of production by Khrysis, Sndtrak, Kash, Eric G., and his mentors, 9th Wonder and Young Guru. With home-state guest appearances from the multi-talented Sonny Miles and labelmate Rapsody, along with TDE’s Reason and Atlanta’s Domani, Love is War, solidifies Vincent as one to seriously watch in the coming years.
Oddisee – To What End
A collection of introspective stories, newfound perspectives, and substantial lyricism, Oddisee delivers with a thought-provoking new album in To What End. Oddisee’s pen game flourishes with his latest record, but what’s more impressive is that, like most of his music, it’s completely self-produced. Featuring singer-songwriter Bilal, veteran Philadelphia rapper Freeway and North Carolina’s own Phonte, Oddisee flexes his multi-faceted skillset with full control over every drum beat and lyric on the 16-track album.
Boldy James & RichGains – Indiana Jones
Boldy James is one of the most consistent rappers in the game, with a steady output since his debut mixtape in 2011, Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons. Indiana Jones marks his 11th official release since 2020, and it came days after breaking his vertebrae in a tragic car accident. On this album, Boldy experiments with new sounds, flows, and production styles by RichGains, giving us a new shade of the prolific rapper.
Mac DeMarco – Five Easy Hot Dogs
The concept behind this new Mac DeMarco instrumental album is what makes it so appealing. He traveled across North America from Los Angeles to New York, and made stops in his native country, Canada, with each track named after the city it was recorded in. Making a fully instrumental album while traveling might seem difficult, but DeMarco captures the essence of these various locations with ease, like a personal sonic diary.
BIGBABYGUCCI – Homesick
BIGBABYGUCCI is another rising star from Charlotte, and his latest project proves his momentum is building. A standout in the underground trap-rap scene, Gucci’s beat selection, innovative cadence, and delivery match his hazy, futuristic persona. Gucci came up as a DIY rapper during SoundCloud and continues to ascend with Homesick.
Skyzoo – The Mind of a Saint
Skyzoo is one of the most prominent lyricists in hip-hop and has mastered the art of the concept album. He’s back at it again with his new project, The Mind of a Saint. The album is from the perspective of the fictional character, Franklin Saint, from FX’s Snowfall. If you are a fan of the show, you’re going to absolutely love this.
Margo Price – Strays
On her fourth studio album, Margo Price, the Nashville-based country rock singer-songwriter and musician teamed up with North Carolina native and famed producer Jonathan Wilson, for a sparkling 10-song Americana outing, featuring Sharon Van Etten, Lucius and Mike Campbell.
Peanuts – Picnic
Under his producer alias, Peanuts, Logic dropped a quick beat tape filled with some solid sampling work. Logic usually goes under the radar when it comes to his production, so Picnic is a great way to tap into the technical side of his artistry.
Tha God Fahim – Chess Moves
For anyone not familiar with Atlanta-based rapper Tha God Fahim, he is a frequent collaborator with artists such as Mach-Hommy and Westside Gunn. Chess Moves is a short and easy listen as the runtime is only about 18 minutes with some really intricate bars over the dreary psychedelic sample-driven production of NicoJP.
Eto & Futurewave – Dead Poets
New York rapper Eto and San Diego’s own Futurewave came together to create a cohesive album for the underground hip-hop fans. Futurewave’s production is as elegant as ever and Eto delivers his signature gritty verses throughout. A very entertaining listen from start to finish.
Here is a playlist featuring songs from the albums mentioned in SK + CLTure’s Best New Music Releases in January 2023 with a few extra singles released this month.
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