These albums are some of the best, most inventive, and most rewarding new releases of this early part of the year. I can guarantee you that there will be something here for everyone. From art-pop to stoner metal to Chicago-based rap, a wide variety is contained in the confines of this article. So, peruse as you see fit and happy listening!

Hopefully, this serves as a suitable and enjoyable introduction to one of the most assuredly exciting voices in R&B at the current moment. Below is a playlist with some of my other favorites to get your journey started without a hitch. Happy listening.

The playlist's vibe was meant to be a fusion of feeling like your best self and accepting some things can't change. I wanted it to feel bright and bubbly but with a notice of emotionality. Songs like the Don Dada or Immaterial were meant to be pump-ups between some more reflective moments like Ben Franklin or Eugene.

Mia Rodriguez has been on a bit of a hot streak in the last year. After seeing several recognitions and awards from publications and cultural mainstays like Triple J in the past year, her TikTok passing 2 million followers. And a handful of singles that have each kept her a name in the underground pop scene; it’s safe to say that Rodriguez is a name to watch. Like many, I’d become aware of her through TikTok, where I’d heard her single “Psycho” several times.

There’s a new class of musicians leading the charts, social media, and shifting how we consume music. They’re emotionally intelligent, outspoken, queer, and doing whatever they want. I had the pleasure of speaking with one of them, corook. I didn’t know much about corook when I watched her video for ‘bad friend,’ but after experiencing that, I wanted to consume everything. I was immediately captivated by her emotional intelligence, her willingness to problem solve, and at the same time, her desire to have fun. As a twenty-something adult, looking inward isn't always the most pleasurable, but highly recommended.

Bales released his latest single; IT’S MY FAULT. This is a self-reflective sound piece that explores a relationship that didn’t go as planned–which isn’t anything new, especially in this new era of alt-pop.

Hot off his most recent album, the dystopic, blue-tinted world of “Stop It God,” Zuli Jr. has returned with a new single and accompanying music video. Those familiar with our publication will have seen my previous work with Zuli, namely the full, track-by-track breakdown we did of his album.

Each track on Cruz’s debut album has a decidedly homegrown feel. This could be partly because the album was forged over the early pandemic days—possibly emboldening the isolated and, at times, spare tone of the record. Not only does every song share the same forlorn carefulness, but all of the records live and breathe through Cruz’s lyrical abilities.

Reno Cruz is an artist circling the Chicago scene for quite some time. He tours as a guitarist for Lala Lala and has played or toured with Sen Morimoto, Wyatt Waddell, Waltzer, and more, but his talents as a songwriter cannot be ignored. A native of California, Cruz went through a myriad of past lives before arriving at his current profession of musician, as previous jobs included actor, salesman, cheesemonger, and banjo player at one point. His move to Chicago in 2017 signaled a significant shift as he began working as a backing musician for Chi mainstays like the aforementioned bands and artists.

Nearly two decades ago, Joss Stone entered the industry with her debut studio album, Mind Body & Soul. It was an album that I knew front to back. An album that I didn’t really understand at nine years old. But it was also an album that I loved. Over the last two decades, Joss Stone has always managed to stay consistent in her intentions of making music she loves and connecting with people.