12 must-listen new albums: J.P., Honey Dijon, Ckay, Joy Oladokun & more

HYFIN’s 12 must-listen new albums of the week for October 18, 2024, offer a vibrant tapestry of sounds, showcasing the diversity and innovation in contemporary music. This week’s releases span genres from hip-hop and R&B to electronic and jazz, featuring established artists and exciting new talents.

From the youthful exuberance of J.P.’s “School Dance” EP to the introspective depth of Joy Oladokun’s “Observations From a Crowded Room,” we’re treated to various artistic expressions. CKay pushes Afrobeats forward with “EMOTIONS,” while Kurious cements his hip-hop legacy with “Majician.” Fresh off her Grammy-winning collaboration with Beyoncé, Honey Dijon takes us on a house music journey with her DJ-Kicks mix. Soulection pays homage to The Neptunes, and Danny Brown offers an expanded look at his personal struggles and triumphs with “Quaranta (Deluxe).”

Nubiyan Twist brings their genre-defying big band sound to “Find Your Flame (Deluxe Edition),” while we get a posthumous gem from Roy Hargrove’s Crisol with “Grande-Terre.” Marysia Osu debuts her unique blend of harp and electronics, Branko continues to explore global rhythms, and we revisit a foundational Afrobeat album with Ginger Johnson’s reissued “African Party.” Let’s dive into the sonic landscape of this week’s standout releases.

J.P. – School Dance

Twenty-year-old Milwaukee rapper J.P. follows up his critically acclaimed debut with the EP “School Dance.” This versatile project showcases J.P.’s signature jovial energy while pushing sonic boundaries. Featuring collaborations with Babyfxce E and Baby Osama, the EP demonstrates J.P.’s growth as an artist, balancing his music career with his role as a student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point.

Joy Oladokun – Observations From a Crowded Room

Joy Oladokun’s new album marks a significant milestone in her career, as she wrote, played, and produced it almost entirely solo. The 15-track project blends Oladokun’s signature pop-folk style with electronic and psychedelic influences, exploring identity, faith, and healing themes. With four singles already released, “Observations From a Crowded Room” promises to be a transformative experience for the artist and listeners.

CKay – EMOTIONS

Nigerian artist CKay’s sophomore album “EMOTIONS” continues to push the boundaries of Afrobeats. The 12-track project features collaborations with Ty Dolla $ign and Olamide, showcasing CKay’s growing global appeal. Delving into themes of love, heartbreak, and self-reflection, “EMOTIONS” further cements CKay’s position at the forefront of the evolving Afrobeats genre.

Kurious – Majician

NYC rapper Kurious returns with “Majician,” an album that cements his legacy as one of hip-hop’s premier MCs. Produced by Mono En Stereo and executive produced by the late MF DOOM, the album blends technical wizardry with personal introspection. “Majician” showcases Kurious’s razor-sharp lyricism and ability to make classic hip-hop sound fresh and revitalized.

Honey Dijon – DJ-Kicks: Honey Dijon

Chicago-born, Grammy-winning DJ and producer Honey Dijon presents her entry in the prestigious DJ-Kicks series. This compilation is a pan-global, multi-era journey through house music’s storied past, featuring forgotten classics, dollar bin finds, and a brand new Dijon track. Fresh off her collaboration with Beyoncé on the album “Renaissance,” where she co-produced the standout tracks “Cozy” and “Alien Superstar,” Honey Dijon’s mix reflects her innovative approach to DJing, blending classic house sounds with contemporary elements.

Soulection – Soulection Radio Mixtape 003: The Neptunes (Tribute)

Soulection’s third installment in their Radio Mixtape series pays homage to The Neptunes, the iconic production duo of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. This mixtape features 11 Neptune-inspired tracks from some of Soulection’s favorite producers worldwide, highlighting the significant influence The Neptune’s sound has had on Soulection’s musical DNA.

Danny Brown – Quaranta (Deluxe)

Danny Brown expands on his critically acclaimed “Quaranta” with this deluxe edition. Featuring two new tracks, including a collaboration with Bruiser Wolf, and four instrumental pieces, this release offers fans a fresh perspective on the original album. The deluxe edition not only builds on the raw, introspective themes of “Quaranta” but also celebrates Brown’s journey towards sobriety and renewed creativity.

Nubiyan Twist – Find Your Flame (Deluxe Edition)

Nubiyan Twist’s deluxe edition of “Find Your Flame” offers an expansive 17-track collection, showcasing the band’s unique blend of jazz, hip-hop, afrobeat, latin, soul, reggae, and dance music. This release highlights the group’s ultra-tight musicianship and powerful 9-piece big band sound, providing over an hour of immersive, genre-defying music.

Roy Hargrove’s Crisol – Grande-Terre

This posthumous release captures the late trumpeter Roy Hargrove’s Crisol at the height of their powers. Recorded in 1998 in Guadeloupe, “Grande-Terre” features an all-star ensemble of Cuban, American, and Guadeloupian musicians. The album seamlessly blends jazz with Afro-Cuban rhythms, soul, bop, and funk, offering a testament to Hargrove’s unparalleled approach to genre-bending music.

Marysia Osu – harp, beats & dreams

Polish-born, London-based harpist Marysia Osu debuts with “harp, beats & dreams,” a unique blend of classical harp and electronic elements. The 10-track album, including collaborations with Plumm and YUIS, showcases Osu’s innovative approach to harp music. Composed as a collection of diary entries, the album explores themes of self-acceptance, philosophy, and stoicism through a mesmerizing soundscape.

Branko – Soma ∞

Portuguese producer Branko’s fourth solo album “Soma” elevates the expression of electronic global music. Drawing inspiration from outdoor DJ sets across Portugal, the album features organic textures and inviting rhythms. Collaborations with artists like Ms Mavy and Fumaxa contribute to Branko’s fresh, borderless sound that blends rhythmic patterns from the Portuguese-speaking world.

Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers – African Party

This reissue of Ginger Johnson’s 1967 album “African Party” brings a seminal work of Afrobeat to modern audiences. The album captures the energy and vitality of Johnson’s innovative sound, featuring multi-layered drum patterns, jazz horn lines, and vocals in the Yoruba dialect. This expanded double vinyl LP includes bonus tracks, providing a wider perspective on the significant musician’s career.