10 must-listen new albums of the week from Leikeli47, Theo Croker and more

This week delivers a range of new releases spanning folk introspection, contemporary jazz innovation, and electronic experimentation. From Annahstasia’s debut meditation on identity to WITCH’s continued Zamrock revival, the lineup includes established voices like Grammy-nominated harpist Brandee Younger alongside emerging talents such as Brooklyn-based Maiya Blaney. The collection showcases the breadth of current musical expression, with artists exploring themes of transformation, activism, and personal growth across acoustic and electronic landscapes.

Annahstasia – Tether

Los Angeles-raised, Nigerian-American singer-songwriter Annahstasia Enuke presents her full-length debut, a collection rooted in cinematic folk traditions. Recorded live in a Los Angeles studio, the 11-track album combines sparse acoustic guitar arrangements with brass elements and features guest poet Aja Monet. The album serves as a thoughtful exploration of identity and endurance, with standout tracks “Villain” and “Unrest” highlighting Enuke’s distinctive vocal approach that draws comparison to Tracy Chapman while maintaining its own character.

Brandee Younger – Gadabout Season

Harpist-composer Brandee Younger, notable as the first Black female solo artist nominated for a Grammy in her instrument’s category, continues her two-decade exploration of the harp within contemporary contexts. Her third Impulse! release represents her most personal work to date, recorded using Alice Coltrane’s historic harp and featuring contributions from Shabaka Hutchings and Courtney Bryan. The ten-track program moves between spiritual jazz explorations and refined groove studies, positioning Younger’s accomplished technique within fresh musical frameworks.

Joe Armon-Jones – All The Quiet (Part II)

London jazz scene stalwart Joe Armon-Jones completes his two-volume suite with this keyboardist-producer effort that merges dub, funk, and hip-hop with modal improvisation. Written, produced, and mixed entirely by Armon-Jones through his Aquarii Records imprint, the album features guest appearances from Greentea Peng, Nubya Garcia, and Wu-Lu. The release addresses social-realist themes over substantial rhythmic foundations, with vinyl editions including a 24-page storybook that expands the album’s conceptual scope.

Theo Croker – dream manifest

Grammy-nominated trumpeter and producer Theo Croker frames his eighth leader album as an exploration of coexistence, layering electronic elements with trap-influenced rhythms and acoustic improvisation. Known for his boundary-crossing approach, Croker previewed the record with the single “we still wanna dance” and plans to support it with an extensive 39-date international tour. The album represents Croker’s continued development as both instrumentalist and producer within contemporary jazz contexts.

Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell – We Insist 2025!

NEA Jazz Master drummer Terri Lyne Carrington collaborates with Grammy-nominated vocalist Christie Dashiell to reimagine Max Roach’s 1960 civil rights suite for contemporary audiences. The recording features percussionist Weedie Braimah and includes a contribution from original Roach sideman Julian Priester. The project incorporates gospel, Afro-Latin, and neo-soul elements while preserving the activist foundation of the original suite, creating a bridge between historical and current social commentary.

LSDXOXO – DGTL ANML

Berlin-based, Philadelphia-born producer-DJ LSDXOXO presents an eight-track, 25-minute set that advances his work within club and electronic music. Emerging from the GHE20G0TH1K scene, the artist has developed a practice of combining Baltimore club, techno, and pop elements. This Because Music release pushes further into vocal-driven electro and ballroom house territories, recorded under his F.A.G. imprint and showcasing his continued evolution as a producer.

BALTHVS – Flesh and Soul EP

Colombian psych-funk trio BALTHVS, whose streaming presence has reached 45 million plays across 19 countries of touring, presents a four-song EP centered on themes of transformation. The release balances disco-influenced momentum with contemplative guitar work, with lead single “Mood Swing (Principles of Rhythm)” establishing the tone. The band describes the EP as a spiritual continuation of their previous material, maintaining their established sound while exploring new directions.

WITCH – SOGOLO

Zamrock pioneers WITCH continue their revival under the leadership of Emmanuel “Jagari” Chanda, following their 2023 return with Zango. This 13-track Partisan Records release merges the band’s foundational ’70s psychedelic approach with contemporary Afro-beat influences. Issued on eco-mix vinyl, the album demonstrates the enduring relevance of the Zambian rock tradition while incorporating modern production sensibilities.

Maiya Blaney – A Room With A Door That Closes

New Jersey-born, Brooklyn-based singer-producer Maiya Blaney delivers her Lex Records debut, combining drum-and-bass, neo-soul, and glitch elements informed by ’90s grunge and UK electronic music. The 11-song collection, previewed by the single “Recognize Me,” explores themes of self-image through processed samples and flexible vocal arrangements. Blaney describes the album as “a love letter to my blue,” indicating a personal approach to electronic music production.

Leikeli47 – Lei Keli ft 47 (For Promotional Use Only)

Brooklyn rapper-producer Leikeli47 concludes her Beauty Trilogy era and removes her signature balaclava for this first independent full-length release. The 11-track album moves between ballroom house (“soft serve”) and ’80s-influenced production (“starlight”) while maintaining focus on themes of resilience, particularly on tracks like “queen.” The release signals a new phase for the artist, combining her established block-party energy with renewed artistic perspective.