Top 5 album releases - february 2022
By Philippe Martin 07/03/2022
For the month of February, it was very difficult to choose only 5 projects as so much great music was released. Hip-hop veterans like Snoop Dogg or Curren$y made some of their best work in years and younger artists like Saba or EARTHGANG released staple projects to cement their place in the « best of » modern conversation. Let me know in the comments what you think about these projects and if any other albums deserved to make the list this month.
- Saba - Few Good Things
- Conway the Machine - God Don’t Make Mistakes
- Curren$y & The Alchemist - Continuance
- Big K.R.I.T. - Digital Roses Don’t Die
- Nicholas Craven - Craven N 3
- Honorable Mentions
Saba - Few Good Things
The Chicago artist Saba is back in rare form with the release of his new album « Few Good Things ». It’s been four years since he delivered the critically acclaimed project « CARE FOR ME », where he explored themes of depression and coping with loss. It was a project so well crafted that it was difficult to follow up, but he does it again on this new effort that moves away from the darkness to find the young man in a new light. From the lyrics to the energy, we can feel Saba growing into something more and it’s beautiful to hear.
There are a lot of excellent features on this album, like the verse from Krayzie Bone on « Come My Way » or the hook from 6lack on « Still ». All the artists compliment well the Pivot Gang leader, making him the center of attention from start to finish. The music is reaching towards R&B rhythms and classic hip hop drums, so for anyone looking for a trap record, this is not it (apart from the heavy banger « Survivor’s Guilt (ft. G Herbo) »). Overall, this is a great record for returning Saba fans and new ones.
Released 04/02/2022
Conway the Machine - God Don’t Make Mistakes
This is the first and last album from Conway the Machine on Shady Records, and it doesn’t disappoint at all. Eminem was wise to sign the Griselda emcee, as Conway is a lyrical predator on every track he rhymes on. With his new album « God Don’t Make Mistakes », he opens up about past traumas and experiences that took him to the place he is today. It’s heart-ripping to hear him talk about the loss of a child on the track « Stressed », or about the shooting that left him paralyzed on the title track. This vulnerable side of his character was not often shown in his music, making this album refreshing for returning fans.
For those who prefer aggressive street talk, there is the gloomy « Piano Love » produced by The Alchemist and the classic sounding « John Woo Flick » with his Griselda partners. These songs represent the pinnacle of the last years of hard work Conway has been putting on in the rap game. It’s incredible to see him perform at the highest level, even after many mixtapes and the great studio album « From A King To A God » released back in 2020.
Released 25/02/2022
Curren$y & The Alchemist - Continuance
For their third collaborative project together, Curren$y and The Alchemist keep things in familiar territory with chill raps about their expensive lifestyles. « Continuance » is cohesive from start to finish, with the New Orleans emcee sounding crisp and confident about this smooth lane he has carved out for himself in the hip-hop scene. He isn’t pushing the envelope of his rapping abilities, but The Alchemist production amplifies the energy he brings out by creating a wonderful stage of string loops and vocal samples (listen to “No Yeast” for example).
The beat from « Whale Watching » is absolutely hypnotizing and the ambiance showcased on « The Final Board » is grandiose. It all mixes together beautifully with the help of loyal collaborators Wiz Khalifa, Styles P, Larry June, Boldy James, Havoc and Babyface Ray. Special mention to The Alchemist for recently making lots of quality projects with independent rappers, because he excels at bringing out the best of every artist he works with.
Released 18/02/2022
Big K.R.I.T. - Digital Roses Don’t Die
It’s always a pleasure to have some new music by the very talented southern artist Big K.R.I.T. He has multiple sides to his art and with this most recent album, he explores a smoother sound that is the perfect soundtrack to fall in love or ride slowly with the windows down. He sets up the concept of the project with four interludes representing the different elements: fire, earth, water and wind. It’s not absolutely clear what is the purpose of these spoken segments, but it feels grounded in something spiritual that may be hard to describe.
The most important part is the very good songs in between these interludes, where the music is more R&B influenced than his previous work, so it makes for a fresh listen to his longtime fans. Those looking for a southern banger like the 2014 song « King of the South » or the 2019 « Addiction » will be disappointed. « So Cool » may be the best middle ground for both sides of his personality and the excellent « Show U Right » is sure to give anybody the will to sing along the groovy hook.
Released 18/02/2022
Nicholas Craven - Craven N 3
Nicholas Craven’s catalog keeps on getting better with time. The Montreal native is doubling down on his signature sound of soulful samples and classic drums with a new album full of gems. From the epic opening with Stove God Cooks to the instrumental closer, « Craven N 3 » marks a highlight for anybody looking to discover the artist and his work of art. Like the previous entries in the series, he collaborates with one rapper per song and he does an excellent job of bringing out the best out of them. For example, Boldy James sounds just right on « Yzerman » and Navy Blue feels melancholic as ever on « Anchor ».
It’s also incredible to see Craven push the Montreal rapping scene with a collaboration with Connaisseur Ticaso, a very respected emcee in the local community. Even if the lyrics are in French, it blends in beautifully to deliver something unique to the casual anglophone listener. Running at 25 minutes, the project ends too quickly and the replay button seems like the only logical option to re-experience the greatness.
Released 18/02/2022
Honorable Mentions
2 chainz – Dope Don’t Sell Itself
The Atlanta rapper is back with a trap album full of 2022 go-to features and simple beats. It does its job well of entertaining a party vibe, but it doesn’t do much more to push 2 Chainz’s sound forward.
Ginetic – Ginstrumentals, Vol. 2
It’s the second entry in the beat series created by Montreal producer Ginetic and this time around, he’s taking a different direction. The first project was calm and excellent to focus, but the second is packed with energetic beats aimed at making you turn up.
Snoop Dogg – BODR
« Back on Death Row » marks the triumphant return of Snoop Dogg on the label that propelled his career to new heights. Fresh off buying Death Row Records, he appeared at the Superbowl halftime show with Dr. Dre. The West Coast legend is far from slowing down even after a 30 year career.
Juicy J & Wiz Khalifa – Stoner’s Night
Taylor Gang fans can rejoice with this new album from Juicy and Wiz. They stay in a comfortable space with similar song structures and vibes that we heard on their 2016 album « Rude Awakening ».
EARTHGANG – GHETTO GODS
The excellent Dreamville duo EARTHGANG is back with a great album that fits perfectly in their extensive catalog. Everything is well executed: the diverse production, the sharp writing and the multiple collaborations.
Pingback: Top 5 Album Releases November 2022 - RAP NERDS
Pingback: Best Albums Of 2022 - RAP NERDS