2019 was a phenomenal year for music, so much so that I found it almost impossible to pick my absolute favourites. These 15 honourable mentions are projects that, while didn’t quite make it into my top 25, still deserve recognition (bear in mind that I’ve reviewed over 600 albums in 2019). Without further ado, here’s…

What. A. Year. 2019 has yet again exceeded expectations with some incredible music and has set the bar higher than ever before. Picking the tracks was easy (got to 150 in no time) though the difficulty came when I had to cut the list down to 100. They are, as usual in no particular order.…

Detroit-based producer Illingsworth comes through with a brand new beat tape titled sad boiz. I’ve been a fan of the talented producer’s music for a while now, and I’m happy he’s remaining consistent with his hard-hitting and groovy production. Throughout it’s 6 tracks, Illingsworth is able to really bring high-energy, with hard-hitting boom-bap beats that…

Austrian producers Mono:Massive and DJ Buzz have released a brand new collaborative album titled Play. They have created a beautifully cinematic and groovy new project that showcases their talents, perfectly capturing a soulful and ethereal vibe and aura throughout. The old school hip-hop “Introduction” sets the tone of the album with scratching and synth leads…

The Philadelphia / New York / DC based free jazz collective Irreversible Entanglements have come through with a brand new single titled “Homeless/Global.” The 23-minute stunner foreshadows their upcoming debut album that is due to come out in Spring 2020. The track is frantic in energy, comprising of infectious drumming, intense horn sections and percussion. The…

The beatmaking legend dakim has come through with a release titled youdecide. Produced back in 2010, this tape was set in motion by the Honorable Ras G, and this album is dedicated to him. Throughout the 14 tracks, dakim is able to create an eclectic soundscape full of intricate beat compositions, textured with electronic synths…

Australian drummer and producer Clever Austin has released his second project for Touching Bass this year titled NUNU. Following his excellent release Pareidolia, the talented artist has established himself as one of the most exciting voices from down under. The soulful, intricate and vibrant sound he creates is just incredible, so I was excited about…

Rome Streetz has been killing it this year, releasing a stellar hip-hop album in noise kandy 3. He is back again, with a new album. This time it’s a collaborative project with producer The Artivist, and it’s titled Joyeria. It’s soulful and hard-hitting, as Rome Streetz’s aggressive flow makes for an engaging listen. After the funny,…

Hailing out of Montreal, Canada, KAYTRANADA has made a name for himself with his beautifully textured, dance-heavy production. His 2016 album 99.9% was a decent body of work that showcased his talents brilliantly, but personally I found the album just a bit redundant and inconsistent. BUBBA is his follow up album – a vast improvement…

Legendary London-based label Eglo Records have released some of the best and most influential albums over their 10 year existence. I even highlighted my 10 favourite ever Eglo Records albums here. Alexander Nut has curated a 30-track compilation album highlighting some of their classic releases, with music from the likes of Dego & Kaidi, Floating…

MIKE has established himself as one of the most forward-thinking and exciting voices within the hip-hop world (check albums such as War in my Pen and tears of joy). He is back with an incredible new single titled “Numbered Dayz,” which has been released via Adult Swim. Produced by him under his alias dj blackpower,…

Greek producer Moderator has released some stellar albums in the past such as 2018’s Sinner’s Syndrome. His eclectic, lively and non-stop hectic beats bring so much life and energy to his soundscape. The 12 track album is full of crazy and fun moments. It kicks off with the cinematic “Ararat Valley,” a percussion and synth-heavy…

One of the best producers working today, Ohbliv comes through with a fantastic new project titled OHBLENDS SIX. Remixes and reworks dominate this tape, with some soulful and intricate beats that sound as fantastic as anything he’s ever put out. From the opener “Never Learned,” featuring sampled rap vocals to the smooth R&B sampled “Don’t…

Hey everyone Happy Monday! 48 playlists out of the 52 weeks that are in a year ain’t bad is it? This is going to be the last one for 2019, as I will be focusing my attention on the top songs of 2019 playlist as well as the end-of-year lists. Still some great music came…

New York based rapper Duncecap teams up with legendary rapper and producer ELUCID (1/2 of Armand Hammer) for a new EP titled miserable then. The dark and eerie tone of the project is captivating to me, and I absolutely love the intricate wordplay and dense lyricism throughout. The opener “Waste of Money” kicks the project…

Brazilian hip-hop producer VHOOR comes through with a short EP titled MPBEATS full of eclectic, boom-bap instrumentals sampling the sounds of Brazil. It’s an engaging and hard-hitting project that has put this talented producer on my radar. The incredible soul of “Coração” sets the tone of the project. With heavy drums and a harmonica and…

North London-based electronic musician Lazy H has released a colourful and upbeat new album titled Where’s Bill? I’m impressed by the dynamic tone of the record and its eclectic production throughout. The album kicks off with the incredible “Counting Sheep,” a dynamic track with synths leads and electronic effects complementing a high paced beat that…

New Jersey based producer JWords comes through with a brand new single titled “Sín Señal.” It will feature on her upcoming album due to be released next year, and based off this single alone, I’m psyched to hear what she’ll do with this new album. The track is an energetic and hectic cut, with wailing…

Talented producer Willy Sunshine comes through with a brand new 5 track EP titled Bleu Klein. It’s a sort of tribute to famous artist Yves Klein, as he brings colourful and eclectic production to this hard-hitting and pretty captivating project. “Shame / Love” kicks the album off with a thumping, bass-heavy boom-bap beat and synths…

Lisbon-based musician Gary Corben has released his brand new debut album titled Gods in Brazil. With the help of legendary Brazilian producer Kassin and the rest of their band, they have finally been able to record an entire album inspired by the sounds of Brazil. It’s a rhythmic, feel-good album with intricate compositions filled with…

London-based musician Zeb Samuels comes through with a fantastic new album titled Hope & Light. It’s his debut album and showcases his talents as a composer and overall musician. The album starts off with “First Written,” a spoken-word piece about hope, backed by moody synths and electronic effects that add a soothing touch to the…

Taiwan-based indie rock band Valley Hi! come through with a brand new self-titled EP. Their compositions are sweet, playful and engaging, with incredible basslines, guitar grooves and infectious drumming throughout. “Indie King” kicks the project off with almost psychedelic guitar leads, with a dreamy and ethereal tone, with lead singer Jason Li providing some stellar…

Green & Gold is the new collaborative project between UK-based hip-hop musicians Mr Key and Greenwood Sharps. With gorgeous, synth-led production from Greenwood Sharps and intricate lyricism from Mr Key, this project is a great one, really capturing a reflective and eclectic tone throughout its 7 tracks. The ethereal opener “The Good Intentions Paving Co.”…

Roy Montgomery is a legendary New Zealand composer, guitarist and lecturer who, back in 1995, released his debut album titled Scenes From The South Island. It’s an atmospheric and meditative album full of captivating and truly mesmeric moments. It has finally been reissued and re-released on vinyl, and it’s a pleasure to revisit this classic.…

Stuttgart, Germany based multimedia artist and producer MinaeMinae has come through with a brand new album titled Variente. This is the first time I’ve listened to the talented musician, but I’m impressed with the intricate, tribal percussion-heavy compositions. The album starts off with “Vorwegnahme,” a slow-paced rhythmic track with subtle synths, beats and and percussion…

London-based producer [KMY.] has come through with a stellar new album titled Idiot Archives, Vol.1. I’ve been a fan of this man’s beats for a while, as his eclectic hip-hop production has not only caught my ears, but the ears of a lot of the most respected London-based artists. In short, the album slaps. Thanks…

LA-based beat maestro Ahwlee has released a brand new EP titled dead[ist]. As one half of B. Cool-Aid (with Pink Siifu) as well as releasing some fantastic projects in the past, it’s always good seeing him come through with another thumping project. It’s non stop boom-bap madness throughout the entire project. From the thumping opener…

Shirley Tetteh is one of the most talented guitarists around at the moment. As part of London-based jazz super groups Nérija and Maisha, she has made a name for herself, really bringing her signature rhythms to record in the most soulful and amazing way. Her solo material comes under the name Nardeydey, and her new…

19 year old London-based singer/poet and all-around talented artist Arlo Parks comes through with a brand new EP titled Sophie. It’s an introspective, soulful and upbeat project with colourful R&B inspired soundscapes that are perfect for her pure and honest poetry. The project starts off with the beautiful “Second Guessing,” a synth-heavy ethereal opener, with…