Back in stock: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: The combined talents of pianist-producer Alfa Mist and jazz drummer Richard Spaven have spelt the formation of a new hip-hop act, 44th Move, whose debut album for Black Acre debuts today. Centring on the notion of an "R&D mindstate", the pair bring a tonally lowered, electronicised sound to the table, teaming up with two further confidants - Bristol turntablist Awkward and Detroit rapper Quelle Chris - for an extended jaunt through techno, r&b and rap, arrayed in overarching drapes of moody jazz.

Review: Fraud's third full-length of 2024 is another example to his unparalleled consistency in street rap. Partnering with producer Harry Fraud, the album marries Fraud's dynamic, loop-based production with Boldy's gritty, introspective lyricism. Fresh off the success of the The Alchemist and Nicholas Craven, The Bricktionary solidifies Boldy's legacy as a steady force in hip-hop, crafting vivid, haunting street tales with every verse. Fraud's production is a perfect match for Boldy's style, blending chipmunk soul, trap beats and atmospheric soul samples to create a backdrop that's both complex and accessible. Tracks like 'Shadowboxing' show Boldy's lyrical dexterity over airy, 1980s-inspired loops, while 'Speedy Gonzales' pulses with a bouncy drumbeat, driving the track forward with intensity. Guest features like Tee Grizzley on 'Cecil Fielder' and Benny the Butcher on 'Rabies' add flair to the album, but it's Boldy's nuanced storytelling that shines throughout. On tracks like 'Harvey Grant' and 'Fish Grease', Boldy reflects on his journey, blending the mundane with the profound as he recounts struggles and triumphs with masterful clarity. The Bricktionary proves that Boldy James, alongside Harry Fraud, remains a force in the game, offering yet another standout project in a year already brimming with stellar releases.

Review: Chilean-born, Bristol-based Shanti Celeste has always brought a unique colour and emotion to her often bass-heavy sounds. She's a party-starting DJ, too, but delves into whole new realms with her wonderful sophomore full-length. Romance sees her exploring themes of love and friendship through shimmering pop textures and emotionally resonant songwriting. Her vocals take centre stage for the first time and lead single 'Thinking About You' is a heartfelt tribute to a late friend with a glowing groove and airy falsetto. Crafted between Bristol and London, the album features collaborations with Batu and harpist Miriam Adefris, whose delicate touch enhances its celestial tone and following last summer's acclaimed 'Ice Cream Dream Boy,' Romance is a luminous return and smart evolution.

Review: First released in 2004, Eminem's Encore was emblematic of the ultimate white-boy rapper's tasteful blend of social commentary, humour and dejection, and for many it is the childhood-marking moment that brought songs like 'Just Lose It' and 'Mockingbird' to hungry adolescent ears. On new, blue gatefold 2xLP comes a new edition from Shady's own label Aftermath, marking a second encore and ovation for a pivotal point in Eminem's career, which took place over 20 years ago now. His alter ego, Slim Shady, had sparked furious debates at the time about freedom of speech and artistic expression, and the record came after the death of his close friend and fellow artist Proof in 2006. Especially unafraid of his anger, Eminem served as a role model for young and impressionable youth in the early noughts, urging verbal articulation over blind rage.

Review: Backdrops of engineered silence and societal distraction inform on this from Fatboi Sharif and Driveby, twin rap verbalisers from the hinterzones of New Jersey. Let Me Out confronts the fractured psyche of a world numbed by noise: a raw, unfiltered dispatch from the underbelly, where six-figure illusions swing pendularly over mirrored truths, and suppressed rage simmers beneath manufactured calm. Tracked at 2ndststudios and shaped by the precision of Steel Tipped Dove, the record is sharpened further by the eerie co-production of DJ Boogaveli on 'We Fought for this Country!?' and haunting backing vocals from Paul Keim on 'Krossroads'. From milk-and-oil confusion to the cracked prayers of trauma survivors, each track on this grittily sculpted noise rap record erodes our psychic Achilles' heels, through emotional debris and soul static.

Review: Rochelle Jordan's third studio album was a game-changer upon its 2014 release. Showcasing raw self-expression and artistic evolution in true r&b style, it proved she belongs to be mentioned in the same breath as genre greats like Aliyah. With lush, atmospheric production and airy vocals the album includes 'Ease Your Mind,' co-produced with Eric Seats of Rock the Boat fame. Now a major force in r&b and dance after recently collaborating with Kaytranada, 1021's 10th anniversary and first-ever vinyl release is sure to win her many more fans, and rightly so.

Review: Marking 2025's May 4th celebrations, Walt Disney Records drop a laid-back surprise for Star Wars fans: a full lo-fi reinterpretation of music from a galaxy far, far away. No trade embargoes sparking rebel insurgencies on this one: just seamless lo-fi clonings of Star Wars YouTube series theme pieces. Longtime Lucasfilm composer Kevin Kiner contributes three pieces to the collection, and he's joined by producers and songwriters Chantry Johnson, Lucky West, and Nick Pingree. Well suited for industrious superfans whose psyches elude The Force, and yet still require an audio aid for work or study.