NEW MUSIC MONDAYS….featuring NEW releases from Rachel Chinouriri, Lucky Daye, Nao, ALA.NI & Adrian Younge, The Avalanches, Pi’erre Bourne, Tierra Whack, Tinie Tempah, Chrissi & N8NOFACE
Rachel Chinouriri returns with a deeply personal record that digs into the bittersweet complexities of heartbreak and growth. Known for her soaring indie-pop textures and velvet-rich vocals, the British singer-songwriter crafts a sonic world balancing lush acoustic guitars with infectious, shimmering synth grooves. Standout track “One song away from crying” hits with a devastating emotional punch, while “Favourite desperation” and “Crash this car” showcase her penchant for hook-filled storytelling. It is an intimate, exquisitely produced body of work that reinforces her position as one of her generation’s most compelling songwriters.
Lucky Daye –ALOUD!
(Keep Cool / RCA Records)
Lucky Daye continues his streak as one of R&B’s most dynamic innovators onALOUD!, taking a bold leap into high-energy, live-band funk and late-night soul grooves. The album thrives on collaborative energy, featuring Leon Thomas on the smooth “Fly U Out,” Pusha T delivering sharp bars on “Mouf Say,” and Muni Long alongside The Paradox on the harmony-heavy centerpiece “Knockin.” From infectious tracks like “Talk to Me” to the sensual bounce of “Margarita Lime,” Lucky commands every tempo with effortless charisma. It is a vibrant, body-moving project built for uninhibited expression.
The Avalanches –No Bad Memories
(Modular Recordings / Astralwerks)
Australia’s master sound-collagists The Avalanches make a triumphant return withNo Bad Memories, an expansive odyssey woven from obscure sample fragments and modern guest features. Karen O lights up the brooding “Blue Shadows,” Jamie xx brings signature club warmth to “Every Single Weekend,” and standout jam “All The Time In The World” features Rivers Cuomo, Vegyn, and Baby Marlboro. The cosmic disco groove of “Our Love Is Alive” featuring Suzanne Ciani and Barry Can’t Swim further elevates the record’s nostalgic, party-ready atmosphere. It is an immersive, celebratory masterclass in sample-based pop.
Pi’erre Bourne –Made In Paris
(SossHouse / Interscope Records)
Pi’erre Bourne brings his signature sound into a fresh, European-inspired era onMade In Paris, blending atmospheric synth arpeggios with heavy, futuristic trap beats. Long-time collaborator Young Nudy pulls up for a standout verse on “JBH,” while self-produced highlights like “La Loi, C’est La Loi,” “Bleu,” and “Temps De Chasse” show Pi’erre at his absolute best. The album functions as a smooth, insular showcase where melodic, cloud-rap cadences bleed effortlessly into one another. It’s a sleek, bounce-heavy ride tailor-made for late-night drives.
Nao –Autumn
(Little Tokyo Recordings / Sony Music)
London-born singer-songwriter Nao strips back the electronic funk of past projects to deliverAutumn, an intimate album rooted in jazz, neo-soul, and warm live instrumentation. Rather than relying on feature artists, Nao uses the project to pay tribute to her icons, with standout track “Eugene” honoring D’Angelo and “Save The World” channeling classic Marvin Gaye-esque social consciousness. Tracks like “U R Loved” and the sprawling closer “I Believe In You” highlight her flute-like falsetto and incredible vocal control. It stands out as a timeless, deeply comforting listening experience.
Tierra Whack –WHACK’S MUSEUM (Deluxe)
(Interscope Records)
Philly rap visionary Tierra Whack opens up the gallery doors wider withWHACK’S MUSEUM (Deluxe), expanding on her surreal, high-energy artistic vision across 19 solo tracks. “WHACK JOB” sets an explosive tone right out of the gate, while “BRAZILIAN WAX” showcases her lightning-fast flow switching without needing a single guest feature. Fresh deluxe additions like “EARWAX” and “STRAWBERRY” highlight her rare ability to balance hilarious absurdity with tight, razor-sharp rhythms. It is a bold, endlessly entertaining victory lap from an artist who refuses to fit into any box.
Tinie Tempah –The Night’s Not Dead
(Believe Music)
UK grime and pop pioneer Tinie Tempah returns to reclaim the dancefloor onThe Night’s Not Dead, a high-tempo celebration moving through UK garage, afro house, and baile funk rhythms. Anthem opener “Don’t Ask Me About Last Night” sets a wild party pace, while “To The Floor (Vai Descendo)” infuses driving South American energy directly into the mix. Standout cuts like “Studio Ghibli” and “Body 2 Body” showcase his knack for bridging mainstream pop hooks with underground club grit. It’s a sleek, bass-heavy return built specifically for peak-hour sound systems.
Chrissi –I HATE YOU DON’T LEAVE ME
(Black Butter Records)
Essex-born singer-songwriter Chrissi makes a bold statement on her debut albumI HATE YOU DON’T LEAVE ME, blending diaristic pop-R&B with classic soul and Trinidadian soca influences. The title track acts as a dramatic, stunning emotional centerpiece, while “HEARTLESS DARLIN’ !” displays her knack for writing soaring melodies. Standout track “THE SCARIEST PART !” highlights her ability to turn complex relationship feelings into irresistible sing-along anthems. Her rich, conversational vocals deliver a refreshingly real look at young love and self-discovery.
N8NOFACE –Tomorrow’s World
(Stones Throw Records)
Synth-punk pioneer N8NOFACE delivers a frantic jolt to the system onTomorrow’s World, produced entirely by TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek. “Gray Area” brings in Angélica Garcia and Scarlettt for a haunting highlight, while Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner and producer Hudson Mohawke add distinct instrumental firepower across the project. Relentless standout tracks like “I Hope It’s Ok” and “Paranoid” pack an incredible amount of raw energy into fast, sub-two-minute bursts. It is an aggressive, thrillingly intense sprint through a cyberpunk landscape.
ALA.NI & Adrian Younge –Proud of Me
(Linear Labs)
Vocalist ALA.NI teams up with analog maestro Adrian Younge forProud of Me, a timeless orchestral soul album recorded entirely with the Linear Labs Orchestra. The majestic title track opens the record with sweeping grandeur, while “Middle of Nowhere” slips into a hazy, late-night romance groove. Moving highlights like “Face in the Evening” and “Lament for Emmett Till” showcase the duo’s ability to conjure profound emotional gravity through subtle, elegant arrangements. It stands as a rich, cinematic high-water mark for modern soul.
From sneaking past the neighborhood brush to hoop on locked courts as a kid in St. Thomas to hoisting both an NCAA National Championship trophy with the 1988 Kansas Jayhawks and an NBA Championship ring as Assistant General Manager of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, Milt Newton’s story is anything […]