NEW MUSIC MONDAYS: A sensational consortium of scorchers from Baby Rose, Chuck Strangers, Future, The-Dream, Kelela, Allison Russell, DJ Shadow and FATHERS

Baby Rose – YEARNALISM

(Secretly Canadian)

Baby Rose has returned to completely heal our souls with her third studio album, YEARNALISM, out now via Secretly Canadian. If you fell in love with her earthy, vintage tone on her collaborative EP with BADBADNOTGOOD, this full-length project takes that raw emotional power to a whole new universe. Recorded straight to tape using vintage studio gear, the album prioritizes imperfect, deeply human first takes over hyper-processed pop perfection.

Her singular, smoky vocal delivery cuts through every single arrangement, diving headfirst into themes of community, connection, and surviving life’s messy heartbreaks. It’s a stunning, intentional body of work that feels both incredibly timeless and urgently modern. Turn the lights down low, tap in, and just let Baby Rose do what she does best.

FATHERS – FATHERS

(Blue Note Records)

If you want to know what happens when an absolute dream team of groove-heavy producers and virtuosic musicians get into a room for just 48 hours, this is it. The self-titled debut from FATHERS dropped via Blue Note Records, and it is a masterclass in organic, earthy texture. We’re talking about Kenneth Blume, Carrtoons, Kiefer, and Nate Smith joining forces to deliver an elite blend of jazz fusion, boom-bap energy, and modern R&B. It doesn’t sound over-polished or stiff—it feels alive, packed with spontaneous magic and head-nodding basslines.

Track after track, these guys slide between precision beat-making and wild, jazzy improvisation. It gives you the comforting warmth of an old-school R&B record mixed with the exciting unpredictability of a live jam session. If you need something smooth to set the mood for your week, stop playing and lock into this one immediately.

Chuck Strangers – Glory of the King’s Hand

(Lex Records)

Our brother Chuck Strangers is back, and he is fully leveling up on Glory of the King’s Hand, dropping via Lex Records. We’ve known him for years as the production mastermind anchoring Joey Bada$$ and the Pro Era crew, but on this project, he steps back into a Quincy Jones-style executive producer role while absolutely anchoring the mic. He hands the beat production over to legends like The Alchemist and Preservation, delivering a dusty, warped-sample wonderland that fits his Brooklyn-rooted cadence like a glove.

What makes this record so special is that Chuck isn’t just trying to flex with loose verses; he’s crafting actual songs with real hooks, beautiful melodies, and a mature, laid-back perspective. From his reflections on West Coast living to the jazzy fusion sounds on “Breaking Atoms,” the whole project feels like a massive celebration of longevity and finding your own peace.

DJ Shadow – The Mountain Will Fall (10th Anniversary Deluxe)

(Mass Appeal)

For the crate-diggers and true electronic historians, legendary producer DJ Shadow is celebrating a massive milestone with the 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of The Mountain Will Fall, out via Mass Appeal. This landmark project originally blew minds by pushing Shadow way past his traditional MPC comfort zones and deep into pristine, forward-thinking electronic soundscapes, including the iconic, horn-heavy hit “Nobody Speak” featuring Run the Jewels.

This deluxe re-release isn’t just a simple victory lap, though. It dusts off the original masterclasses and sweetens the pot with rare b-sides, pristine alternative instrumentals, and hard-to-find bonus cuts from that specific mid-2010s creative era. It’s a stunning reminder of a sampling genius constantly evolving, adapting, and shaking up the instrumental music landscape.

Future – The Real Me

(Freebandz / Epic Records)

Pluto is back and he is stripping away the filters on his tenth solo studio album, The Real Me, out via Freebandz and Epic Records. Arriving as his first solo studio effort in four years, this project completely pivots from his recent star-studded collaborative runs. Future takes a look in the mirror and delivers a massive 22-track album with absolutely no features, letting his own raw melodic trap and signature dark vulnerabilities occupy the entire stage.

The production is handled by an elite squad including TM88, Wheezy, Southside, and Pharrell Williams, giving Future the perfect booming, hypnotic soundscapes to bare his soul. Lead singles like “Radio” showcase a master at work, balancing street anthems with the heavy emotional weight of losing longtime brothers. It’s uncut, unfiltered Future at his absolute finest.

Kelela – new avatar

(Warp Records)

The brilliant alt-R&B visionary Kelela continues to shatter expectations with her third studio album, new avatar, dropping via Warp Records. If you thought you knew her sound, think again—this project sees Kelela boldly stretching her sonic universe into guitar-driven indie rock, shoegaze, and alternative grunge. Driven by incredible production from Oscar Scheller, it seamlessly bridges the gap between sultry R&B and raw, open spaces.

Featuring gorgeous vocal collaborations with PinkPantheress, Fousheé, and A. K. Paul, new avatar is a deeply comforting yet sharp critique of our crazy modern world. It is sultry, experimental, and proves that Kelela has absolutely nothing left to prove as she shifts genres at will.

Allison Russell – In the Hour of Chaos

(Concord / Fantasy Records)

The incomparable Canadian singer-songwriter, activist, and multi-instrumentalist Allison Russell returns with her brilliant third studio album, In the Hour of Chaos, out via Concord and Fantasy Records. Following up her universally acclaimed, award-winning solo records, Russell continues to use her music as an urgent weapon for joy, community, and survival against the odds.

This project channels powerful, celebratory grooves and urgent dancefloor energy mixed with deeply poetic storytelling. Her vocals are towering, her multi-instrumental arrangements are lush, and the emotional resonance is unmatched. It is an essential listen for anyone looking for a beacon of light and optimism during turbulent times.

The-Dream – Love/Hate II

(Dreamboy / RadioKilla / Republic Records)

The R&B architect himself, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant, has returned to reclaim his throne with Love/Hate II, arriving via Dreamboy and RadioKilla Records in partnership with Republic Records. Marking his first major-label commercial release in over a decade, this massive 17-song project serves as the direct sequel to his iconic 2007 debut. From the second his legendary “Radio Killa” tag drops on the lead single “Bring That Body,” you know you’re in for a classic ride.

The album is a seamless, sophisticated masterclass in seductive lighting, upscale nightlife aesthetics, and soaring falsettos. Backed by an all-star family reunion featuring guest spots from Usher, Kelly Rowland, Pusha T, and T.I., The-Dream proves exactly why he is considered one of the greatest living American songwriters. It is smooth, hypnotic, and an absolute must-play for the late-night rotation.