NEW MUSIC MONDAYS. Monumental new albums from some of the best and brightest in the game: BALTHVS, DJ Muggs & T.F., Snoop Dogg, Jacob Banks, Tink, Wesley Joseph, Mama’s Gun, Chicago Soul Jazz Collective and Momo Boyd

BALTHVS – Transmutations (Cubensis Records)

The funky and trippy Colombian trio has officially “transmuted” their road energy into a high-fidelity studio experience. Captured during their Flesh and Soulworld tour and polished between San Diego and Bogotá, the album features bandleader Balthazar Aguirre on production and a unique dual-bass dynamic from Johanna Mercuriana and tour stand-in Vanessa Muñoz. It’s a seamless blend of Middle Eastern scales and psychedelic Cumbia. The standout is “Ojos Verdes (Alchemized)”, a reimagined staple that showcases their growth from a home-studio project to a global stage powerhouse.

DJ Muggs & T.F. – Don’t Call Me Lucky (Soul Assassins Records)

The legendary DJ Muggs, who in his storied career has been down with the 7A3, and Cypress Hill,, and has also collabed with the Beastie Boys, House of Pian and many other legendary artists. On this one the iconic DJ/producer provides a murky, cinematic backdrop for the sharp, street-level storytelling of South Central’s T.F. This project is a clinic in modern noir hip-hop, featuring heavy-hitting guest spots from HYFIN favorites Rome Streetz, Boldy James, and Ghostface Killah. Muggs’ atmospheric production pushes T.F. into some of his most technically precise pockets to date. The standout track is “Water Whip”, where T.F. and Rome Streetz trade high-stakes verses over a haunting, hypnotic loop.

Snoop Dogg – 10 Til’ Midnight (Death Row / gamma.)

Let’s face it Snoop Dogg has taken a lot of public scrutiny the past year or two, but musically speaking, he continues his incredible late-career run with 10 Til’ Midnight, a project that feels more like a cinematic experience than a standard LP. Released alongside a companion short film, the album finds the Doggfather navigating legacy and evolution with production from heavyweights like Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz, and Rick Rock. Snoop even steps into the producer chair himself for several tracks. A fun anecdote: Snoop plays two different brothers in the accompanying film, ala Academy Award winner, Michael B. Jordan, adding a layer of storytelling that mirrors the album’s lyrical depth. The standout is “Step”, featuring Swizz Beatz, which delivers that quintessential West Coast bounce with a refined, modern polish.

Wesley Joseph – Forever Ends Someday (Secretly Canadian)

UK polymath and sensational writer and singer, Wesley Joseph delivers a debut that feels like a surreal, industrial film soundtrack. Joseph handles much of the production himself, crafting a disorienting yet soulful atmosphere that pushes the boundaries of Urban Alternative pocket. He leans on his long-standing creative brotherhood, most notably featuring a brilliant guest turn from his childhood friend, the always fly Jorja Smith and an erratic, high-energy verse from Detriot MC and hilarious podcaster,  Danny Brown. The standout is “July” with the aforementioned Jorja Smith, a track recorded in their hometown that captures an effortless, “full-circle” vocal chemistry.

Tink – F*ck, Marry, Kill (Winter’s Diary / WD Records / EMPIRE)*

Tink delivers perhaps her most provocative and honest, and let’s keep it all the way real:spicy,  work yet with F*ck, Marry, Kill*. This 15-track effort is a masterclass in “Toxic R&B” that refuses to settle for easy answers, navigating the space between temporary thrills and soulmates. While she continues her long-standing collaboration with Hitmaka, the album also features high-octane appearances from G Herbo, Bryson Tiller, and Rob49. An interesting note for the fans: the album’s title is inspired by the impossible choices we make in modern dating. On Tinder or in real-life. The standout is “Gang” featuring G Herbo, a hard-hitting Chicago collaboration that balances street grit with melodic soul.

Jacob Banks – Limerence (Nobody’s Records)

Jacob Banks pivots from the sprawling cinematic anthems of his past into something far more intimate and obsessive with Limerence. This project explores the psychological weight of infatuation and the dangers of damn near stalking a lover, with Banks’ booming baritone feeling more restrained and textured than ever before. He handles a significant portion of the production on this one, alongside longtime collaborators like Sillva, moving into a space that feels like a blend of industrial soul and minimalist electronic blues. An interesting anecdote from the recording process: Banks recorded much of the project in total isolation to capture the specific “trapped-in-your-head” feeling that defines limerence. The standout track is “Guilty”, a haunting, rhythmically driving song that showcases his ability to turn internal conflict into a massive, soulful experience.

Chicago Soul Jazz Collective with Dee Alexander – No Wind and No Rain (Calligram Records)

Led by saxophonist John Fournier and the commanding presence of legendary vocalist Dee Alexander, the seven-piece ensemble delivers their fourth album, No Wind and No Rain. This record is a masterclass in resilience, bridging eras of Chicago jazz without collapsing into predictable nostalgia. Produced by the group’s own guitarist, Larry Brown Jr., the project features a rich lineup including Amr Fahmy on piano and Ryan Nyther on trumpet. A standout moment is the title track “No Wind & No Rain”, as well as the lovely “A Groove For Ramsey”, a special dedication to the late great Ramsey Lewis, which combines Fournier’s lyrics with a gritty, organ-heavy arrangement that feels like a steady, unyielding current moving through the city.

Momo Boyd – Miss Michigan (Independent)

Stepping away from her family band, Infinity Song, Momo Boyd delivers a solo EP that is raw, moody, and beautifully experimental. Working with the spectacular Infinity Song and producer Chris James, she opts for electric guitar buzz and minimal synths over traditional R&B drums, creating a vulnerability that feels “edgy” and intentional. Following her viral COLORS performance, this project solidifies her as a unique solo voice. The standout is “Cold Hands”, a track that perfectly captures her specific lane of alternative rock-tinged soul.

Mamas Gun – DIG! (Candelion)

Recorded straight to 16-track analogue tape in Leeds, this album is a masterclass in feel over flash. Andy Platts and the band created a sound that is entirely warm and human, avoiding all digital artifacts to capture five musicians breathing in sync. A highlight of the project is the collaboration with the legendary Brian Jackson (Gil Scott-Heron’s partner), who adds keys and flute to the title track. The standout is the lead single “Good Love”, a timeless groove that showcases the band’s incredible tightness and soul pedigree. Super funky fire from the London-town players.