Music Tracking 2015

These are 2015 releases that I've taken note of, listed alphabetically by artist, with VA comps at the bottom. My grades, where available, are in brackets at the end of the line (stars in B+ range). Lines in blue indicate that I have a physical copy (albeit sometimes just a promo CDR); in green are records that I graded based on a Rhapsody stream or other such source. Most records have release dates and a brief generic note (usually taken from AMG).

Unheard records are prioritized 0-3 (graded records are 4-5). The priotization is based subjectively on personal interests, reviews I've noticed, reviewers I particularly respect, what I know about the artists, etc. Roughly speaking: 0 is something I have no reason to consider (default page omits 0); 1 has been noted as having some cred somewhere; 2 is something I have some specific reason to search out; 3 is something I'll listen to ASAP.

Option selectors:

Genre switches (selection not implemented yet):

Notes also include scores from review sources:

And after a semicolon:

  • RC: Robert Christgau's Expert Witness: letter grades, 1-2-3 * for HMs

New Releases

  • 2 Chainz: TrapAVelli Tre (self-released) [08-13] - hip hop -- HD:70, Pf:66
  • ASAP Rocky: At.Long.Last.ASAP (Polo Grounds/RCA) [05-26] - rap -- BB:80, HD:80 [**]
  • Joey Badass: B4.DA.$$ (Cinematic Music Group) [01-20] - rap -- AV:75, CS:83, HD:80, Pf:70, PM:80, RS:60, S:50 [***]
  • Boosie Badazz: Touch Down 2 Cause Hell (Atlantic) [05-26] - hip-hop -- BB:70, HD:80, Pf:74, S:70
  • BadBadNotGood/Ghostface Killah: Sour Soul (Lex) [02-24] - east coast rap -- BB:80, CS:67, DS:90, HD:70, P:80, Pf:62, PM:60 [A-]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Perry Beekman: S'Wonderful: Perry Beekman Sings and Plays Gershwin
  • Big KRIT: It's Better This Way (Def Jam) [10-14] - hip hop -- CS:58, HD:80 [*]
  • Big Sean: Dark Sky Paradise (Def Jam) [02-24] - rap -- BB:80, CS:75, HD:80, Pf:71, RS:60, S:60
  • Blackalicious: Imani Vol 1 (OGM) [09-18] - hip-hop -- Pf:72 [A-]
  • BoB: Psycadelik Thoughtz (Atlantic) [08-14] - hip hop -- HD:50
  • Action Bronson: Mr Wonderful (Atlantic/Vice) [03-23] - underground rap -- BB;80, CS:75, HD:80, RS:70, S:80 [***]
  • Joe Budden: All Love Lost (eOne) [10-09] - east coast rap -- HD:70
  • ERR: stream no grade: Ann Hampton Callaway: The Hope of Christmas
  • Cannibal Ox: Blade of the Ronin (IGC) [03-03] - rap -- CS:67, HD:70, Pf:67, S:80 [***]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Kenny Carr: Exit Moon
  • ERR: stream no grade: Francois Carrier/Steve Beresford/John Edwards/Michel Lambert: Outgoing
  • Chance the Rapper & Lil B: Free (Based Freestyles Mixtape) (self-released) [08-05] - -- CS:58, HD:70, Pf:77, RS:70, S:70
  • Chief Keef: Bang 3 (self-released) [08-01] - hip hop -- HD:70, Pf:71
  • ERR: stream no grade: Tom Collier: Across the Bridge
  • ERR: stream no grade: Colours Jazz Orchestra: Home Away From Home: Plays the Music of Ayn Inserto
  • ERR: stream no grade: Cuir: Chez Ackenbush
  • Currensy: Pilot Talk III (Jet Life) [04-04] - hip hop -- CS:75, HD:70, Pf:79
  • Czarface: Every Hero Needs a Villain (Brick) [06-15] - -- HD:70
  • Death Grips: Fashion Week (Third Worlds) [01-04] - rap -- Pf:66
  • Death Grips: The Powers That B (Electro Magnetic) [03-31] - left-field hip-hop -- RC:B+ [*]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Benoit Delbecq/Miles Perkin/Emile Biayenda: Ink
  • Doomtree: All Hands (Doomtree) [01-27] - underground rap -- CS:58, HD:70, Pf:71, PM:50 [***]
  • Dr Dre: Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr Dre (Aftermath/Interscope) [08-07] - hip hop -- AV:83, BB:80, CS:83, HD:90, Pf:88, PM:70, RS:80, S:70; MT:C+
  • Drake: If You're Reading This It's Too Late (Cash Money) [02-13] - rap -- AV:67, CS:83, HD:80, Pf:83, PM:80, RS:80, S:70; RC:*** [B]
  • Drake & Future: What a Time to Be Alive (Cash Money) [09-20] - hip hop -- BB:60, HD:70; RC:** [*]
  • Open Mike Eagle: A Special Episode Of (Mello Music Group) [02-03] - hip hop -- HD:80
  • Empire Cast: Empire: Original Soundtrack From Season 1 (Columbia) [03-10] - pop-rap -- Pf:65, RS:40
  • Empire Cast: Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 (Columbia) [11-20] - soundtracks
  • ERR: stream no grade: Charles Evans: On Beauty
  • Fashawn: The Ecology () [02-24] - hip hop -- HD:80
  • Jamie Foxx: Hollywood: A Story of a Dozen Roses (RCA) [05-18] - r&b -- BB:60, CS:58, RS:60
  • ERR: stream no grade: Free Jazz Group Wiesbaden: Frictions/Frictions Now
  • Future: Beast Mode (self-released) [01-15] - hip hop -- Pf:77, PM:80
  • Future: 56 Nights (Freebandz) [05-18] - hip hop -- RC:*
  • Future: DS2 (Epic) [07-17] - southern rap -- BB:70, HD:80; RC:A- [***]
  • Warren G: Regulate . . . G Funk Era Part II (G Funk) [08-06] - -- HD:70, Pf:74
  • The Game: The Documentary 2 (Blood Money) [10-09] - hip-hop -- BB:90, CS:75, HD:80, Pf:72, S:30
  • The Game: The Documentary 2.5 (Blood Money) [10-16] - hip-hop -- BB:90, HD:80
  • Gangrene: You Disgust Me (Mass Appeal) [08-14] - -- HD:70, Pf:69
  • Ghostface Killah/Adrian Younge: Twelve Reasons to Die II (Linear Labs) [07-10] - east coast rap -- HD:70 [**]
  • Angel Haze: Back to the Woods (self-released) [09-14] - east-coast rap -- HD:70 [***]
  • Heems: Eat Pray Thug (Megaforce) [03-10] - left-field hip-hop -- AV:75, CS:67, HD:70, Pf:63, PM:70, RS:70, S:80; RC:A, MT:A [A-]
  • Hopsin: Pound Syndrome () [07-24] - -- HD:70
  • I Love Makonnen: Drink More Water 5 (OVO Sound) [03-31] - mixtape [**]
  • Chuck Inglish: Everybody's Big Brother () [10-02] - -- HD:70
  • The Internet: Ego Death (Odd Future/Columbia) [06-30] - neo-soul -- CS:75, HD:80, Pf:74, PM:80, RS:70 [**]
  • Jeremiah Jae & L'Orange: The Night Took Us in Like Family (Mello) [04-21] - hip hop -- HD:70, Pf:71, PM:80
  • ERR: stream no grade: Andrew Jamieson: Heard the Voice
  • Jeezy: Church in These Streets (Def Jam) [11-13] - gangsta rap
  • ERR: stream no grade: Jeff Jenkins Organization: The Arrival
  • Mick Jenkins: Wave[s] (Cinematic) [08-21] - midwest rap -- HD:70
  • JME: Integrity (Boy Better Know) [05-12] - [***]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Per Texas Johansson: De Langa Rulltrapporna I Flemingsberg
  • ERR: stream no grade: Kansas: Miracles Out of Nowhere
  • ERR: stream no grade: Tyler Kaneshiro & the Highlands: Amber of the Moment
  • Dom Kennedy: By Dom Kennedy (The Other People's Money) [06-02] - -- HD:70
  • Kool Keith/L'Orange: Time? Astonishing! (Mello Music Group) [07-24] - hip hop -- HD:70, Pf:68
  • ERR: stream no grade: Martin Kuchen/Johan Berthling/Steve Noble: Night in Europe
  • Talib Kweli/9th Wonder: Indie 500 (It's a Wonderful World) [11-06] - east coast rap -- HD:80
  • Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp a Butterfly (Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope) [03-16] - jazz rap -- AV:91, BB:90, CS:100, DS:100, HD:100, MO:90, Pf:93, PM:90, RS:90, S:100; RC:A-, MT:A+ [A-]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Nancy Lane: Let Me Love You
  • Le1f: Riot Boi (Terrible) [11-13] - left-field hip-hop
  • Lil Dicky: Professional Rapper (CMSN) [07-31] - hip hop -- HD:70; RC:A- [A-]
  • Lil Wayne: Sorry 4 the Wait 2 (self-released) - hip hop -- CS:50, HD:50, Pf:64
  • Lil Wayne: The Free Weezy Album (Young Money/Republic) [07-04] - hip hop -- HD:70 [*]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Jon Lindberg/Anil Eraslan: Juggling Kukla
  • Little Simz: A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons (Age 101) [09-18] - hip hop -- HD:80, Pf:78
  • Lizzo: Big Grrrl Small World (BGSW) [12-11] - 2H [*]
  • Logic: The Incredible True Story (Def Jam) [11-13] - pop-rap
  • L'Orange/Kool Keith: Time? Astonishing! (Mello Music Group) [07-24] - left-field hip-hop
  • Lotic: Heterocetera (Tri Angle, EP) [03-03] - underground rap -- Pf:80
  • ERR: stream no grade: Mundell Lowe/Lloyd Wells/Jim Ferguson: Poor Butterfly
  • Ludacris: Ludaversal (Def Jam/Virgin) [03-31] - dirty south -- BB:60, HD:60, RS:60
  • Lupe Fiasco: Tetsuo & Youth (Atlantic) [01-20] - alt rap -- AV:83, CS:75, HD:90, Pf:72, PM:80, RS:60; RC:A- [*]
  • Lupe Fiasco: Pharaoh Height 2/30 (self-released) [08-29] - hip hop -- HD:80
  • Lyrics Born: Real People (Mobile Home) [05-15] - rap [A-]
  • MED/Blu/Madlib: Bad Neighbor (Bang Ya Head) [10-30] - underground rap -- HD:80
  • Meek Mill: Dreams Worth More Than Money (MMG/Atlantic) [06-29] - hip-hop -- BB:70, CS:75, HD:70, Pf:74, PM:80, RS:60 [*]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Tobias Meinhart: Natural Perception
  • Method Man: The Meth Lab (Tommy Boy) [08-21] - east coast rap -- BB:50, HD:60, Pf:40
  • Migos: Yung Rich Nation (Quality Control) [07-31] - hip hop -- BB:70, CS:75, HD:70, S:70; RC:B+
  • Mac Miller: GO:OD AM (REMember/Warner Bros) [09-18] - pop-rap -- BB:80, HD:80
  • Monster Rally & Jay Stone: Foreign Pedestrians (Gold Robot) [01-27] - -- S:80 [*]
  • Georgia Anne Muldrow: Thoughtiverse Unmarred (Mello Music Group) [05-19] - left-field hip-hop
  • Murs: Have a Nice Life (Strange Music) [05-19] - rap -- HD:70 [A-]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Noertker's Moxie: Simultaneous Windows
  • ERR: stream no grade: Larry Novak: Invitation
  • Oddisee: The Good Fight (Mello Music Group) [05-05] - underground rap -- HD:90 [*]
  • Paris: Pistol Politics (Guerrilla Funk, 2CD) [09-11] - rap -- RC:A- [A-]
  • Peaceful Solutions: Barter 7 (self-released) [08-17] - rap [A-]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Kim Pensyl: Foreign Love Affair
  • ERR: stream no grade: Ivo Perelman/Mat Maneri/Tanya Kalmanovitch: Villa Lobos Suite
  • ERR: stream no grade: Ivo Perelman/Matthew Shipp: Complementary Colors
  • ERR: stream no grade: Ivo Perelman/Matthew Shipp/Whit Dickey: Butterfly Whispers
  • ERR: stream no grade: Oscar Perez: Prepare a Place for Me
  • PK (Park Kultury): Get Lost (HSI) - -- RC:**
  • Prefuse 73: Rivington Nao Rio (Temporary Residence) [05-12] - left-field hip-hop -- P:84
  • Prefuse 73: Every Color of Darkness (Temporary Residence) [07-10] - left-field hip-hop
  • Sean Price: Songs in the Key of Price (Ruck Down) [08-21] - -- HD:80
  • Public Enemy: Man Plans God Laughs (Cobraside) [07-24] - east coast rap -- RC:*
  • Puff Daddy: MMM () [11-04] - -- HD:70
  • Pusha T: King Push - Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude (GOOD Music) [12-18] - hardcore rap [***]
  • Raekwon: Fly International Luxurious Art (Ice H2O/Caroline) [04-28] - hip hop -- AV:67, HD:70, PM:40, RS:60, S:70
  • Ratking: 700 Fill (self-released, EP) [03-04] - east coast hip hop -- HD:80, Pf:72
  • Raury: All We Need (Columbia) [10-16] - hip hop -- CS:50, HD:80, Pf:68
  • ERR: stream no grade: Jeff Richman: Hotwire
  • RJD2/STS: STS X RJD2 (RJ's Electrical Connections) [05-05] - left-field hip-hop -- HD:70; RC:*** [***]
  • Jay Rock: 90059 (Top Dawg) [09-11] - hip hop -- CS:67, HD:80, Pf:80
  • Roots Manuva: Bleeds (Big Dada) [10-30] - punk pop -- MO:90 [B]
  • Rick Ross: Black Dollar (Def Jam/Maybach) - -- HD:80, Pf:71
  • Rick Ross: Black Market (Def Jam) [12-04] - gangsta rap
  • RP Boo: Fingers, Bank Pads, and Shoe Prints (Planet Mu) [06-30] - footwork -- Pf:80, PM:70, S:80
  • Scarface: Deeply Rooted (Let's Talk) [09-04] - hip hop -- HD:80
  • ERR: stream no grade: Matthew Shipp: Matthew Shipp Plays the Music of Allen Lowe
  • ERR: stream no grade: Herb Silverstein: Younger Next Year
  • Guilty Simpson: Detroit's Son (Stones Throw) [09-11] - left-field hio-hop -- HD:80
  • Snoop Dogg: Bush (Columbia/Doggystyle) [05-12] - west coast rap -- BB:60, HD:70
  • Rae Sremmurd: SremmLife (Interscope) [01-06] - rap -- HD:70, P:81, Pf:78, RS:80, S:60; RC:A- [***]
  • Vince Staples: Summertime '06 (Def Jam) [07-03] - gangsta rap -- BB:80, HD:90; RC:B+ [***]
  • Statik Selektah: Lucky 7 (Showoff/Duck Down Music) [07-07] - hip hop -- HD:80, Pf:50 [**]
  • Steve Stone: Malta Bend (Strange Music) [07-03] - midwest rap
  • Earl Sweatshirt: I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside (Columbia) [04-14] - -- AV:83, CS:75, HD:80, PM:80, S:80 [*]
  • Ta-Ku: Songs to Make Up To (Fool's Gold, EP) [06-12] - -- HD:80
  • Tech N9ne: Special Effects (Strange) [05-04] - hip hop -- HD:70
  • TI: Da Nic (King) [09-11] - hip hop -- HD:70, Pf:69, S:70; RC:***
  • T-Pain: The Iron Way (self-released) [03-27] - -- BB:60, Pf:61
  • ERR: stream no grade: The Dan Trudell Trio: Dan Trudell Plays the Piano
  • Tyler, the Creator: Cherry Bomb (Odd Future) [04-21] - underground rap -- HD:80 [*]
  • The Underachievers: Evermore: The Art of Duality (RPM) [09-25] - hip hop -- HD:70, Pf:75
  • ERR: stream no grade: Ramana Veiera: Fado Da Vida
  • Wale: The Album About Nothing (Maybach Music/Atlantic) [03-31] - hip hop -- BB:70, CS:50, HD:60, Pf:54, RS:70
  • Wara From the NBHD: If Guns Could Speak (Playin Four Keeps) [01-28] - -- CS:67, HD:70
  • White Gzus: Stackin' N Mackin' Vol 2 (self-released) - -- Pf:73
  • Yelawolf: Love Story (Slumerican/Shady/Interscope) [04-21] - hip hop -- HD:70, Pf:49, RS:60, S:60
  • Young Fathers: White Men Are Black Men Too (Big Dada) [04-06] - alt rap -- DS:90, MO:90; RC:A- [**]
  • Young Thug: Barter 6 (300/Atlantic) [04-16] - hip-hop -- BB:70, HD:80; RC:**, MT:A [**]

Reissues, Etc.

  • J Dilla: Dillatronic (Vintage Vibez) [10-30] - left-field hip-hop -- HD:60

Priority Counts

  • Priority 1: 61
  • Priority 2: 9
  • Priority 3: 0
  • Priority 4: 38
  • Priority 5: 2

Total: 110