Charli XCX - Pop2
Charli XCX’s second mixtape of the year sees her take on a curator role, gathering together some of the most exciting names in music to bring her forward-thinking pop vision to life. There’s big guns like Tove Lo and Carly Rae Jepsen plus newbies like Jay Park and Kim Petras on board for one of the most bonkers pop rides of the year.
Brockhampton - Saturation III
Brockhampton’s final part of the Saturation trilogy was supposedly meant to be their last studio album but they’ve already announced another. That’s good news because America’s best boyband is still on a role and Saturation III is arguably the best one yet. From big, danceable moments like Boogie to mellow murmurings like Bleach, it’s a diverse project that capitalises on the group’s many talents.
Gucci Mane - El Gato: The Human Glacier
Gucci Mane is back again for his second record of the year and this time around he’s ditched the features and is going it alone. It turns out he didn’t need them anyway because El Gato: The Human Glacier is an entertaining project full of delectable hooks and trap-inspired verses that prove Gucci is one of the best out there right now.
Quavo & Travis Scott - Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho
Quavo and Travis Scott have been teasing a collaborative project for a little while and it finally came just before Christmas.They both dabble in each other’s styles on this record combining a number of influences from soul to trap. If you like both of them chances are you’re going to love what they can do together. We’re still after Culture II and Travis’ forthcoming LP soon though.
Quality Control: Control The Streets Vol. 1
This Quality Control mixtape reads a little like a B-grade Migos album but there are enough greats moments on here to make it memorable. Lil Yachty’s inclusion on the Joe Buddon-dissing Ice Cube is great as is Nicki Minaj’s appearance on She For Keeps with Quavo.
N.E.R.D. - No_One Ever Really Dies
N.E.R.D.’s first album in seven years is well worth the wait, gathering together a huge list of features including Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean and Ed Sheeran. It’s a forward-thinking hip-hop record that’s as urgent as it is moveable. Pharrell is also the most political he’s ever been, reacting to the current US climate.