Since taking on the daunting task of introducing you to new music each week, there has been one album that has been rumored to come out every week since this column began. The mythical album in question is Kanye West’s Jesus Is King. By the time you are reading this, it has hopefully been released and Twitter has lost its damn mind, or maybe after hearing the album, we learn that Kanye has as well.
While there were no songs to preview, Apple Music subscribers were presented a nearly two-hour interview between Kanye and New Zealand DJ Zane Lowe. During the interview, we learned about how Kanye would no longer be making secular music, his porn addiction, how he has changed after five years of marriage, and that he still plans to run for President in 2024. There is also a Jesus Is King movie hitting theaters today. The film can be seen on IMAX at the AMC Thoroughbred in Franklin. @kanyewest if you want to follow the madness/genius.
Brooke Candy Sexorcism
WARNING: If you are at work and like to play some music to help pass the time, then by no means do I recommend even coming close to pushing play on Sexorcism. Save it for the ride home when you’re sitting in traffic. If you don’t head my warning, then good luck in your future endeavors.
Let me state that hip-hop in the late 80s and 90s was wild as hell when it came to vulgarity. It was mainly dominated by male rappers, but there were the exceptions like Da Brat, Lady of Rage, Yo-Yo, Foxy Brown, and Lil Kim. Do you remember Gillette and her anthem “Short Dick Man?” Even if you don’t, rest assured that Brooke Candy makes Gillette sound like Olivia Newton-John.
The former stripper turned fashionista turned rapper finally finds her debut album seeing the light of day after numerous delays. Previous singles and EPs had more of a radio-friendly pop feel to them, where Sexorcism is gritty, raunchy, and one to grab your attention and spit in your face. Lead single “XXXTC” featuring Charli XCX and Malibu Mitch puts everyone on notice when Candy states that the only thing that phases her is “good dick.”
This album isn’t going to win any songwriting awards, but it will keep the dance floor packed. Sexorcism is loaded from start to finish with collaborations. Erika Jayne joins Candy on “Drip” which might give some old 2 Live Crew songs a battle for the most times pussy is said in a song. “FMU” with Rico Nasty is easily my favorite song on the album strictly for its Lords of Acts sample. Iggy Azalea and even Drag Race winner Violet Chachki join Brooke on the album. @brookecandy
Anna of the North Dream Girl
If you’re recently the victim of a broken heart or for some sadistic reason want to reminisce about a breakup, but are ready to move on from it, then I have the album for you. Norwegian singer Anna of the North returns with her sophomore album Dream Girl, the follow up to 2017’s Lovers. Where Lovers chronicled Anna’s tale of heartbreak, Dream Girl is her pick-myself-up reply. Lead single “Leaning On Myself” finds the songwriter fighting through the loneliness of the breakup and eventually finding strength inside herself. What is bound to be the most relatable song on the album, title track “Dream Girl” finds Anna in the all too familiar place after a breakup of trying to reassure her ex that she is indeed the one for them. I feel pretty confident in saying we can all relate to that. If your stage of heartache has not reached the ‘time to move on’ stage, then please check out Anna of the North’s debut album. @anna_ofthenorth
Anthony Ramos The Good & the Bad
First look at Anthony Ramos and you can’t help but to think “who is this guy? I know I’ve seen him somewhere.” Did you see him in Elizabeth Wood’s White Girl? No? Ok, what about in Patti Cake$? You’ve never heard of either movie? Wow, well we’ll come back to that at another time. Surely you saw A Star Is Born, right? Of course you did – everyone did.
Ramos played Lady Gaga’s best friend and scene-stealer Ramon. Fellow theater nerds like myself know Anthony from his roles in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights and Hamilton. As Anthony has been blessed the last number of years by being touched by Miranda’s lyrical genius, and most recently, getting the Spike Lee rub by being cast in the Netflix adaptation of She’s Gotta Have It, the soon to be newlywed is ready to take on the world of R&B.
In an interview with Billboard, Anthony describes the album as “real stories with banging beats.” Playful single “Mind Over Matter” screams early Robin Thicke, and is about the times, deep into a relationship, when you’re making love and it has become more about the mental connection than the physical one. Ramos has a really big 2020 in store for him as The Good & the Bad is sure to be a hit as well as the movie adaption of In the Heights set to be released in June. @ARamosofficial
Gallant Sweet Insomnia
Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Gallant returns with his sophomore album Sweet Insomnia. The Maryland native just released the title track as the album’s latest single. “Sweet Insomnia” finds Gallant sharing the song with rapper 6lack and has been featured in Kendall and Kylie Jenner’s Fall/Winter fashion collection. The song finds the duo struggling at night, thinking about previous relationships that went south. Another single, “Sleep On It” finds Gallant in a relationship that has hit a brick wall and is desperately in need of a reset button. It’s “Sleep On It” where you can pick up on the Usher and Ne-Yo influences. @SoGallant
Here are some other great releases to hit play on this weekend:
- Harry Connick, Jr. True Love:A Celebration of Cole Porter
- James Blunt Once Upon A Mind
- King Princess Cheap Queen
- Rex Orange County Pony
- Verite New Skin
-Steven McCash (Twitter)
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