New Music Monday: More Music Than There’s Ever Been (12/13)

Welcome back to Music Monday! This week we got some returns and songs to hold us down in anticipation for some of these artist official releases. So, as we end the year off and begin a new one, let’s check out this week’s highlights.

Juice WRLD – Fighting Demons

After months of deleted tweets and false advertisement, fans were finally rewarded with Juice WRLD’s second posthumous album, Fighting Demons. The album was composed of 18 tracks with features from artists like Polo G, Trippie Redd, Justin Bieber and more. In all honesty, the album was nothing crazy. From the mediocre artwork to the tracklist which was solemnly composed of leaks and snippets that were heard thousands of times over, it was really just meh. However, I am glad the album dropped because we finally got songs like “Burn” and “Rockstar in his Prime” on streaming platforms, but all in all the album didn’t meet my expectations. 

Jacques – 5/10

Favorite Tracks – “Rockstar In His Prime,” “Go Hard,” “Relocate”

Viet – 7/10

Favorite Tracks – “Burn,” “Go Hard,” “Already Dead”

Rick Ross – Richer Than I Ever Been 

Two years after his last album, Port of Miami 2, Rick Ross returns with Richer Than I Ever Been. This album feels like a celebration for Rick Ross, with the vibe being like he’s still dominating the game, like he was 2006. From the Willie Falcon sample in the beginning of “Little Havana”, it seems like Ross was here to make the statement that he’s still going on strong in today’s climate of tragedy. As times change, he’s still out here living lavishly and building an empire with his success. Ross shows how this far into his career, he’s grateful for all the spoils he has. The title track, “Richer Than I’ve Ever Been,” really shows that he’s still enjoying his achievements and savoring it with all the time he has. This is like a thank you letter to being fortunate enough to reach this point of his career as well as a testimony to his legacy as a great MC.

Viet – 8/10 (On a big yacht, no lil boat)

Favorite Tracks – “Marathon,” “Little Havana,” featuring Willie Falcon & The Dream, “Warm Words In A Cold World,” featuring Wale & Future

Jacques – 8/10

Favorite Tracks – “Marathon,” “Outlawz” featuring Jazmine Sullivan & 21 Savage, “Warm Words in a Cold World,” featuring Wale & Future

TM88, Pierre Bourne – Yo!88

OUR LORD AND SAVIOR HAS COME THROUGH! Last Friday, we were given a collaboration album between Pierre Bourne, and upcoming artist TM88. The album has 11 heaven-sent songs, all produced by TM88 himself. This album is amazing. I didn’t skip a single track and the features made it even better. I loved this whole album as a whole. It had a beautiful sound that just makes you want to bop your head for hours. Pierre definitely delivered, and TM88 did as well. I hope to hear more from this duo in the future.

Jacques – 8/10

Favorite Tracks – “Pop Out,” “OMS”, “Richer Dreams,” featuring Young Nudy 

Viet -8/10

Favorite Tracks – “Run It,” “Chit Chat” featuring Wiz Khalifa, “Love Scam,” “Cullinan,” “Yo!Gurt,” “OMS”

A Boogie Wit da Hoodie – B4 AVA

After his album Artist 2.0 dropped just shy of a year ago, A Boogie returns with his newest EP, B4 AVA. Throughout the project, it feels like A Boogie confessing his pains and how he uses money, women, and friends to forget his problems. A Boogie reflects on how people act differently towards him with all the success he has and how he can’t really tell what’s truly real or fake. Songs like “Glasses,” “Girls Go Down,” “Man In The Mirror,” all help build onto this motif of A Boogie trying his best to distract himself from his problems and how he reflects it towards others. The track “Making You Cry” shows his doomed relationship and how no matter how hard he tries to make it work, the life he lives makes it hard to have a connection with his partner. The song “Be Free” shows the end of a relationship, and “24 Hours” portrays A Boogie soaking in the riches and enjoying his life with the right partner. A Boogie is still out here proving he’s got more to prove at this point in his career. His album, A Boogie vs Artist is set to release next year, as of right now let’s enjoy this small collection of songs.

Viet – 8/10

Favorite Tracks – “Notifications,” “24 Hours,” featuring Lil Durk, “Be Free”

Jacques – 7.5/10

Favorite Tracks – “Man in the Mirror,” “Notification,” “Be Free”

Tame Impala – “No Choice”

We were given a taste of Tame Impala with the release of “No Choice”. This seems to be a rollout for Parker’s next album which is the B-side to his album, The Slow Rush. This song was the definition of amazing. The production of this song was astonishing. The vocals were as beautiful as any Tame Impala track. This song was nothing short of the magic Kevin Parker delivered with this release. I’m very excited for his next album.  

Jacques – 8.5/10

Viet – 8/10

Mitski – “Heat Lightning”

As we await Mitski’s sixth album, Laurel Hell, releasing next year on Feb. 4th. Mitski releases her third single, “Heat Lightning.” The song discusses Mitski’s battles with her anxiety, depression, and insomnia, as well as how it affects her relationship. This internal fight makes her realize she cannot save her doomed relationship. This song’s dreamy atmosphere helps make it feel like a tragic reflection that truly entangles the listener into the heartbreaking struggle Mitski goes through. As we await her next project, we’ll be here sitting in sorrow.

Viet – 8/10

Jacques – 8/10

Earl Sweatshirt, Armand Hammer – “Tabula Rasa”

With Earl Sweatshirt set to release his next album Sick!, Sweatshirt returns with his second single, featuring the rap duo Armand Hammer, called “Tabula Rasa.” The production of the song has this ambient meditative feel, while the thoughtful lyrics help provide peacefulness when listening to it. The group raps about their recent activities, their drive to work harder than anyone, and the way they find meaning through their art. This song really shows how far each of these individuals have grown throughout their respective careers and how they find peace within their new lives. Jan. 14th of next year, we’ll be presented with the whole Sick! album, but for right now, let’s just enjoy the music.

Viet – 8.5/10

Jacques – 8/10

This concludes this week’s rendition of Music Monday. We hope you enjoyed listening with us and hope to see you next week. Remember to stay warm and keep grooving. See y’all, stay safe 😉