2018 was a year to remember for the music industry. If 2019 can meet those same standards, I welcome it with open arms. So far, it’s shaping up to be well above average. Let’s take a look at the best projects from February.

“Harlan & Alondra (Deluxe)” — Buddy, RCA Records

As we continue to enjoy the 12 awesome tracks that constitute Buddy’s debut album, he hits us with four additional songs. A playful feature from rap’s favorite felon, 03 Greedo, on “Cubicle” is the first bonus: “I got the block like a cubicle/look at my hood, ain’t it beautiful?” The verse brings us to the streets of Compton, where personalities shine as bright as the California sun.

“Link Up” was most likely recorded during the Dreamville Records sessions in January, when five of six featured artists were there together. It was immediately added to my summer playlist for the vibrant instrumentation and witty verses from J.I.D, Bas, Guapdad 4000 and of course Buddy.

“2009” — Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y, Jet Life Recordings/Atlantic

In 2009, the duo dropped “How Fly,” recorded on a laptop in the same New Orleans room depicted in the cover art. That mixtape was the catalyst to their careers, and 10 years later, the two veteran emcees have returned to their roots.

From the jump, the first track “Garage Talk” is a groovy, braggadocious opener. The beat is basic yet beautiful, recalling 80s west coast rap with a heavy snare full of reverb and a chunky bassline. The first two-thirds of the project is a lot stronger than the final third, as one smooth track comes after another. After the feature from Problem, the remaining five songs blend together unfortunately. But the first nine tracks — which explore both soft, hazy beats and quick, tighter ones — are some of the most enjoyable songs these artists have released in years.

“II” — Lucky Daye, Keep Cool/RCA Records

The up-and-coming king of R&B goes by the name of Lucky Daye. Following his second EP since November, it would be a shame if you ignored his music. This tape includes four tracks, and it’s hard to pick a highlight.

The single, “Karma,” is an interpolation of Ginuwine’s “Pony,” but way cooler and far easier to take seriously. The funky second track. “Paint It,” has Daye’s voice pitched up, while still giving his vocal chords a run for their money. His vocal control is impressive, seamlessly going up and down scales. “Real Games” reminds me of another young legend, Leon Bridges, if the traditional “soulman” sang about millennial relationships. Just to prove his excellence and star potential, Lucky Daye sometimes raps for fun as well. 

“thank u, next” by Ariana Grande, Republic Records

A lot has changed since Ariana’s earth-shattering record, “Sweetener,” from Aug. 17, 2018. Her companion and former boyfriend, Mac Miller, tragically passed and her marriage with Pete Davidson was called off.

“Sweetener” sees her as the popstar she is, while “thank u, next” is far more down to earth and relatable. The instrumentation isn’t super complex, allowing room for pristine songwriting. The first and last tracks, “imagine” and “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored,” are very memorable, talking about intimate relationships in modern times and the envy and selfishness that come along with them. The remaining ten songs contain numerous peaks and very few valleys. It’s the first project by Grande where she reminds listeners that everyone has hardships that even money and fame can’t fix.

“Helium” — HOMESHAKE, Royal Mountain Records

Montreal-based musician Peter Sagar composed a mini saga for his fourth studio album under HOMESHAKE. Spanning 33 minutes long, there are nine tracks, along with four interludes spanning about a minute each that serve as bridges between ideas and styles — from lo-fi indie to some staticky hip-hop. One of the singles, “Nothing Could Be Better,” might just be the cutest love song of the year thus far. “All Night Long” contains a creepy, twilight zone-type instrumental that suits HOMESHAKE’s eerie voice perfectly.

On the cover art side, it’s definitely the nicest of 2019. Like all of his albums, it was drawn by his fiancé Salina Ladha (goals). The final interlude, “Salu Says Hi,” contains some of the craziest 360-degree sound effects I’ve ever heard, summarizing the attention to detail spent on this project.

Published on February 28, 2019 at 12:13 am