The jazz-rap pioneers De La Soul continue their legacy with 'Cabin in the Sky,' a project that remains visionary and taboo-breaking. The album addresses complex themes such as trauma and artificial intelligence with their signature sunny yet profound style, reaffirming their status as enduring innovators in hip-hop.
Grimm Lynn's 'Fire&Smoke' combines urgent staccato rhythms and slow molasses drag tempos to explore themes of infatuation and wilting romance. The album emanates warmth from its Atlanta roots, skillfully mixing soul and hip-hop influences with a deeply emotive touch.
'Mercy' is a dense, layered work that eschews mainstream gloss for depth and complexity. Armand Hammer and The Alchemist deliver an album requiring focused listening, marked by cold, precise production and significant thematic weight addressing harsh realities in contemporary life.
RosalĂa's 'Lux' is a standout album of 2025, featuring the Spanish singer performing in 13 different languages. Praised for its ambitious scope and blending of diverse cultural elements, the album is a strong contender for best album of the year and showcases her continued evolution in pop and world music.
Mavis Staples returns with 'Sad and Beautiful World,' an album produced by Brad Cook and featuring guest artists like Jeff Tweedy and Justin Vernon. The record is noted for its soulful warmth and emotional depth, blending gospel and folk influences with contemporary touches.