Music Tracking 2025

These are 2025 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.

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):

New Releases

  • Florence Adooni: A.O.E.I.U. [An Ordinary Exercise in Unity] () [02-28] - highlife
  • Africa Express: Africa Express Presents . . . Bahidorá (World Circuit) [07-18] - African [*]
  • Juana Aguirre: Anónimo () [04-03] - Latin
  • Ajuliacosta: Novo Tetamento (self-released) [09-16] - Brazil
  • Pablo Alborán: KMO () - Latin
  • Rauw Alejandro: Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo O (Sony Latin) [09-26] - Latin
  • Gaby Amarantos: Rock Doido (Deck) [08-28] - technobrega
  • Ammar 808: Club Tounsi (Glitterbeat) [05-23] - Arabic [**]
  • Antibalas: Hourglass (Daptone) [10-24] - Afrobeat
  • Ichiko Aoba: Luminiscent Creatures (Hermine) [02-28] - new age [*]
  • Mulatu Astatke: Mulatu Plays Mulatu (Strut) [09-26] - ethio-jazz [***]
  • Astropical: Astropical (Universal Music Latino) [03-07] - Latin pop
  • Ata Kak: Batakari (Awesome Tapes From Africa) [11-07] - African [***]
  • Babalwa M: Acquiescence (Babalwa M/Empire) [11-27] - amapiano [***]
  • Bad Bunny: Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Rimas Entertainment) [01-05] - Latin [***]
  • María Becerra: Quimera () [11-20] - Latin
  • Beéle: Borondo () - Latin
  • Marilina Bertoldi: Para Quien Trabajas Vol. 1 (Sony Music Argentina) [05-21] - rock en espaņol [**]
  • Blue Rojo: CDMXXXXXXXXXXXXX () [03-20] - Latin
  • Bomba Estéreo/Rawayana: Astropical (Sony Music Latin) [08-01] - Latin [***]
  • David Broza & Omer Avital: Brozajazz: Paris Alhambra (Magenta) [11-06] - vocal jazz [***]
  • Burna Boy: No Sign of Weakness (Spaceshjip/Bad Habit/Atlantic) [07-10] - Afrobeats
  • Buscabulla: Se Amaba Así (Domino) [06-13] - Latin
  • Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso: Papota (5020) [03-06] -
  • Ben Carrillo: Dreamer () [10-16] - Latin
  • Eladio Carrión: Don Kbrn () [04-03] - reggaeton
  • Ryan Castro: Sendé () [05-29] - reggaeton
  • Cazzu: Latinaje () [04-24] - bachata
  • Chaeyoung: Lil Fantasy Vol. 1 (JYP/Republic) [09-12] - K-pop
  • Clave Especial: Mija No Te Asustes () [02-20] - Latin
  • Hollie Cook: Shy Girl (Mr Bongo) [10-10] - reggae [**]
  • Cortis: Color Outside the Lines () - K-pop
  • Daddy Yankee: Lamento En Baile () - Latin
  • DannyLux: Leyenda () [05-15] - Latin
  • DJ Dadaman & Moscow Dollar: Ka Gaza (Nyege Nyege Tapes) [04-25] - Afrobeat [***]
  • DJ K: Radio Libertadora! (Nyege Nyege Tapes) [08-08] - Brazil funk [**]
  • DJ Travella: Twende Dance Classics (Nyege Nyege Tapes -EP) [02-26] - afrobeat [***]
  • Djonga: Quanto Mais Eu Como, Mais Fome Eu Sinto! (A Quadrilha) [03-13] - Brazil
  • Easykid: I'm Part () [06-11] - reggaeton
  • Nadah El Shazly: Laini Tani (One Little Independent) [06-06] - art pop
  • Javier Electra: Helíade () [ 10-10] - Latin
  • Enyel C: Nuevo Caribe () [10-09] - Latin
  • Mark Ernestus' Ndagga Rhythm Force: Khadim (Ndagga) [05-09] - world [**]
  • Jorge Espinal: Bombos Y Cencerros (Buh) [08-29] - Peru [**]
  • Estevie: La Traición Y El Contrabando () [11-07] - Latin
  • Fanfare Ciocarlia/Adrian Raso: The Devil Rides Again () - Romanian
  • Feid: Ferxxo Vol X: Sagrado (Universal Music Latino) [06-09] - reggaeton
  • Fola: Catharsis (Dargbana Republik) [09-05] - Afrobeats
  • Fuerza Regida: 111xpantia (Rancho Humilde/Street Mob/Sony Music Latin) [05-02] - Latin [**]
  • Vicente García: Puñito De Yocahú () [05-30] - Latin
  • Nidia Góngora: Pacifico Maravilla () [04-08] - Latin
  • The Good Ones: Rwanda Sings With Strings (Glitterbeat) [08-29] - African
  • Grupo Frontera: Lo Que Me Falta Por Llorar () - Latin
  • Guitarricadelafuente: Spanish Leather (Sony España) [05-16] - Spanish
  • Yasmine Hamdan: I Remember, I Forget (Hamdanistan) [09-19] - Arabic pop
  • HHY & the Kampala Unit: Turbo Meltdown (Nyege Nyege Tapes) [04-11] - African/electronic [**]
  • Gao Hong/Baluji Shrivastav: Neelam (ARC Music) [09-26] - China/India [*]
  • Ale Hop & Titi Bakorta: Mapambazuko (Nyege Nyege Tapes) [01-24] - African [***]
  • Humbe: Dueño Del Cielo () [ 12-06] - Latin
  • Zé Ibarra: Afim (Mr. Bongo) [06-05] - Brazilian jazz
  • Ikonika: Sad (Hyperdub) [11-28] - amapiano
  • ILe: Como Las Canto Yo (La Buena Fortuna) [10-24] - Latin
  • Illit: Bomb (HYBE/Belift Lab -EP) [06-16] - K-pop
  • Jazzwrld & Thukuthela: The Most Wanted (Waltz Music Group/Empire) [09-18] - amapiano [**]
  • Jennie: Ruby (Columbia) [03-07] - K-pop [B]
  • Jin: Echo (HYBE/Big Hit -EP) [05-16] - K-pop
  • Jisoo: Amortage (Blissoo/Warner/Empire -EP) [02-14] - K-pop
  • Joaquina: Al Romper La Burbuja () [01-31] - Latin
  • Juana Molina: DOGA (Sonamos) [11-05] - Latin
  • Jupiter & Okwess: Ekoya (Airfono) [01-31] - African [*]
  • Kevin Kaarl: Ultra Sodade () [02-14] - Latin
  • Kapo: Por Si Alguien Nos Escucha () - Latin
  • Karol G: Tropicoqueta (Bichota/Interscope) [06-20] - Latin [A-]
  • Kasai: 〽 () [06-25] - Arabic
  • The Kasambwe Brothers: The Kasambwe Brothers (MASS MoCA) - African [A-]
  • Katseye: Beautiful Chaos (HYBE/Geffen -EP) [06-27] - K-pop
  • Salif Keita: So Kono (No Format) [04-11] - African [**]
  • Kinetic: Generations (Parma) [11-14] - world jazz
  • Kingdom Molongi: Kembo (Nyege Nyege Tapes) [03-28] - African [B-]
  • Kin'Gongolo Kiniata: Kiniata (Helico Music) [04-04] - African [A-]
  • Kokoroko: Tuff Times Never Last (Brownswood) [07-11] - afrobeat [B]
  • Kurayamisaka: Kurayamisaka Yori Ai Wo Komete () [09-10] - J-rock
  • Mádé Kuti: Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From? (LegacyPlus) [07-25] - African
  • Mon Laferte: Femme Fatale (Sony Music Latin) [10-24] - Latin [**]
  • Natalia Lafourcade: Cancionera (Sony [Mexico]) [04-24] - bolero
  • Lagon Nwar: Lagon Nwar (AirFono) [03-28] - jazz [***]
  • Le Sserafim: Hot (Source Music/HYBE) [03-14] - K-pop
  • Carín León: Palabra De To's () - Latin
  • Nick León: A Tropical Entropy (TraTraTrax) - Latin electronic
  • Lolo [Mamah Diabate/Jabel Kanuteh/Stefano Pilia/Marco Zanotti]: Lolo (Black Sweat) [01-28] - African [***]
  • Los Thuthanaka: Los Thuthanaka (none) [03-22] - Latin electronic
  • Mahotella Queens: Buya Buya (Umsakazo) [07-25] - African [A-]
  • Mark: The Firstfruit (SM Entertainment) [04-07] - K-pop
  • Jako Maron: Mahavélouz (Nyege Nyege Tapes) [02-07] - afrofuturism [***]
  • MC BF & DJ Yuzak: Bebeto E Romário (Mandelão, EP) [09-17] - Funk brasilero [**]
  • Meme Del Real: La Montaña Encendida () [10-15] - Latin
  • Mengers: Flavio () [10-17] - Latin
  • Camila Meza: Portal (GroundUP Music) [05-23] - Latin
  • Milo J: La Vida Era Más Corta (Sony Latin) [09-25] - Latin
  • Mdou Moctar: Tears of Injustice (Matador) [02-28] - Saharan rock [***]
  • Monsta X: The X (Starship -EP) [09-01] - K-pop
  • Azuka Moweta and His Anioma Brothers Band: Ekobe Global (Palenque) [01-01] - African [***]
  • Mula: Eterna () [06-25] - Latin
  • Youssou N'Dour: Éclairer Le Monde - Light the World (self-released) [04-04] - African [***]
  • Nakibembe Embaire Group & Naoyuki Uchida: Phantom Keys (Nyege Nyege Tapes) [11-06] - Afrobeat [**]
  • Gasper Nali: Chule Chule Iwe (Spare Dog) [05-26] - African [A-]
  • Nandipha808: No Vocal Album (Stena Academy) [12-05] - amapiano [***]
  • Nazar: Demilitarize (Hyperdub) [04-25] - kuduro [*]
  • NMIXX: Blue Valentine (JYP Entertainment) [10-03] - K-pop [**]
  • Danny Ocean: Babylon Club () - Latin
  • Oduchu: Nostalgia (Stallion Era) [05-17] - Tuvan
  • P1Harmony: Duh! [D Ver.] [Barnes & Noble Exclusive] () - K-pop
  • P1Harmony: EX [Game Lovers Club Version] [Barnes & Noble Exclusive] () - K-pop
  • Fito Páez: Novela () [03-27] - Latin
  • Polo & Pan: 22:22 (Hamburger) [03-28] - French pop
  • Poor Creature: All Smiles Tonight (River Lea) [07-11] - Irish folk
  • Adrian Quesada: Boleros Psicodélicos II (ATO) [06-27] - Latin
  • Rachel Reis: Divina Casca (Altafonte) [04-15] - Brazil
  • Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali: At the Feet of the Beloved () [03-14] - qawwali
  • Elena Rosa: Bendito Verano () [10-23] - Latin
  • Rosalía: Lux (Columbia) [11-07] - flamenco pop [*]
  • Juana Rozas: Tanya (Sony Music Argentina) [04-17] - Latin [**]
  • Salin: Rammana (Salin) [03-29] - world [*]
  • Joyce Santana: Nada Personal () [03-14] - Latin
  • Romeo Santos/Prince Royce: Better Late Than Never () [11-28] - Latin
  • Alejandro Sanz: ¿Y Ahora Qué+? () - Latin
  • Sessa: Perquena Vertigem de Amor (Mexican Summer) [11-07] - MPB
  • Sevdaliza: Heroina (Twisted Elegance) [10-31] - reggaeton
  • Seventeen: Seventeen 5th Album: Happy Birthday () - K-pop
  • Noura Mint Seymali: Yenbett (Glitterbeat) [11-07] - Saharan [***]
  • Anoushka Shankar: Chapter III: We Return to Light (Leiter) [03-14] - Indian classical
  • Songhoy Blues: Héritage (Transgressive) [01-17] - African [***]
  • Stray Kids: Do It (JYP -EP) [11-21] - K-pop
  • Sumni: Heart Maid (Abyss) [11-05] - K-pop
  • Ela Taubert: Preguntas a Las 11:11 () [05-09] - Latin
  • Theodora: MegaBBL () [05-30] - afrobeats
  • Diala Thukzin: 031 Studio Camp 2.0 (Dlala) [04-25] - African [***]
  • Time Cow: Scaring 1100 Chickens to Death (Kullijhan) [03-21] - dancehall [*]
  • Tomorrow X Together: The Star Chapter: Together (Bit Hit/HYBE) [07-21] - K-pop
  • Samba Touré: Baarakelaw (Glitterbeat) [01-24] - African
  • Myke Towers: Island Boyz () - Latin
  • TripleS: Assemble25 (Modhaus) [05-12] - K-pop
  • Twice: This Is For (JYP) [07-11] - K-pop
  • Akira Umeda & Metal Preyers: Clube Da Mariposa Mórbida (Nyege Nyege Tapes) [07-11] - world/electronic [*]
  • Netón Vega: Mi Vida Mi Muerte () [02-14] - Latin
  • Alune Wade: New African Orleans (Enja) [05-02] - African jazz
  • Wampi: El Rey De La Habana () - Latin
  • Weed420: Amor De Encava (Deprerreo) [02-14] - hypnagogic pop
  • Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek: Yarın Yoksa = If There Is No Tomorrow (Big Crown) [03-14] - Anatolian rock
  • Young Miko: Do Not Disturb (The Wave) [11-07] - pop rap
  • Yves: Soft Error: X () [10-15] - K-pop
  • Zerobaseone: Blue Paradise (Wakeone -EP) [02-24] - K-pop
  • Zeyne: Awda () - Arabic

Reissues, Etc.

  • Tony Allen & La Bogotá Orquesta Afrobeat: La BOA Meets Tony Allen (2011, Comet) [02-02] - afrobeat
  • Manu Dibango: Dibango 82 (1982, We Want Sounds) [04-04] - African jazz [**]
  • Bizimungu Dieudonne: Inzovu Y'imirindi (Mississippi) [11-14] - African
  • Docteur Nico: Presents African Fiesta Sukisa 1966-1974 (Planet Ilunga) [12-05] - African [A-]
  • Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru: Church of Kidane Mehret (1972, Misissippi) [05-23] - African [B]
  • Joseph Kamaru: Heavy Combination 1966-2007 (Disciples) [10-31] - African [A-]
  • Edison Machado: Edison Machado & Boa Nova (1978, Far Out) [03-28] - Brazilian jazz [*]
  • Moskito: Idolar (2001, Awesome Tapes From Africa) [05-23] - African [***]
  • Alick Nkhata: Radio Lusaka (Mississippi) [08-15] - African [***]
  • Lee "Scratch" Perry: Crucial Cuts From the Heart of the Ark [1973-78] () - reggae
  • Atef Swaitat: Palestinian Bedouin Psychedelic Dabka Archive (Majazz Project/Palestinian Sound Archive) [07-20] - Arabic [***]
  • Zig-Zag Band: Chigiyo Music Kings 1987-1998 (Analog Africa) [11-07] - African [A-]
  • African Jazz Invites O.K. Jazz (1961-70, Planet Ilunga) [05-02] - African [***]
  • Born in the City of Tanta: Lower Egyptian Urban Folklore and Bedouin Shaabi From Libya's Bourini Records 1968-75 (Sublime Frequencies) [03-25] - Arabic [***]
  • Desert Blues (Putumayo Discovery) [12-05] - world
  • Edna Martinez Presents Picó: Sound System Culture From the Colombian Caribbean (1950s-70s, Strut) [06-20] - Latin [A-]
  • Imaginational Anthem Vol. XIV: Ireland (Tompkins Square) [10-25] - Irish
  • KPop Demon Hunters [Soundtrack From the Netflix Film] (Republic/Universal USA/Netflix) [06-20] - K-pop
  • The Original Sound of Mali 2 (Mr Bongo) - African
  • Prisoners' Day Compilation Vol. 1 (Majazz Project/Palestinian Sound Archive) [04-17] - Arabic
  • Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980 (Analog Africa) [05-02] - African [***]
  • Sweet Rebels: The Golden Era of Algerian Pop-Raï: The Ecstatic Electro Sound of Original Raï Cassettes 1986-1991 (We Want Sounds) [03-25] - rai [***]
  • A Tribute to the King of Zydeco (Valcourt) [06-27] - zydeco
  • Zulu Guitar Blues: Cowboys, Troubadours and Jilted Lovers 1950-1965 (Matsuli Music) [05-16] - African [**]

Priority Counts

  • Priority 1: 107
  • Priority 2: 4
  • Priority 3: 0
  • Priority 4: 66
  • Priority 5: 0

Total: 177