New This Week: DJ Khaled, Imagine Dragons, Vince Staples, and More
Searching for something to listen to this weekend? Yahoo Music has you covered with a rundown of some of this week’s biggest and buzzing releases, including DJ Khaled, Imagine Dragons, Vince Staples, and more. Check back every Friday for a fresh list of albums to help fuel your weekend playlists.
DJ Khaled: Grateful (Epic/We The Best). Nobody can accuse DJ Khaled of being an overnight success — this is his 10th studio album, and it’s clear he’s learned a few things on his hardworking path to the top. This set features easily one of the best guest lists this entire year, including such epic names as Beyoncé, JAY-Z, Drake, Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne — and Khaled knows how to make all of them shine.
Imagine Dragons: EVOLVE (KIDinaKORNER/Interscope). Well known for their confident approach to arena/anthemic rock, Imagine Dragons divert (or, well, evolve) by taking an on-trend but different electronic approach to their third release. Risky as it may seem, there’s still enough of their signature big rock-out vibe to keep core fans happy.
Vince Staples: Big Fish Theory (Def Jam). Long Beach, Calif. rapper, actor, and musician Staples shines on his sophomore full length, which somehow manages to sound absolutely nothing currently floating around in the hip-hop world today. This is a detailed, efficient yet prolific, and ahead-of-its-time release.
Jeff Tweedy: Together at Last (ANTI-/Epitaph). Here, Wilco frontman Tweedy mines his various projects, presenting solo acoustic versions of Wilco tunes as well as ones from his side gigs Loose Fur and Golden Smog. The set shows off his extraordinary guitar work, as well as his affecting vocals.
Guttermouth: The Whole Enchilada (Rude). Fans of ’90s skate punk will be overjoyed to revisit a collection of work from the California band, well-known for their humor and sarcasm as well as fast beats. The set is a double album of live greatest hits, including three unreleased tracks.
Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas: Telephone/Teléfono (Dead Owl Music /Instant). Detroit’s Hernandez, who is a second-generation Cuban and Mexican-American, decided to explore her Hispanic heritage on the band’s sophomore outing. The result is a bilingual double album, recorded once in English and again in Spanish — something far more ambitious than it might sound at first, given the numerous differences in linguistic meaning between both tongues. A truly unique idea.
311: Mosaic (BMG Rights Management). This band is known for handily breaking the top of the album charts with their releases, and it’s pretty safe to bet they will do it yet again with their 12th effort. There’s nothing new here — 311 continues with the rap-rock-reggae groove that made them famous — but then again, if it ain’t broke, why fix?
Yonder Mountain String Band: Love, Ain’t Love (Frog Pad). This band has consistently broke ground in the bluegrass world, a tight-knit genre that’s not easy to break into, let alone redefine. On this release they deliver upbeat vibes with enjoyable and intricate storytelling.
Despicable Me 3 (Original Movie Soundtrack) (i am OTHER /Columbia). The centerpiece of this soundtrack is, of course, the smooth and sunny Pharrell Williams, who contributes eight songs. It also includes a couple of classics from Michael Jackson and Nena (yes, “99 Luftballons”).
Baby Driver (Music From The Motion Picture) (Columbia). Award-winning producer Danger Mouse curated the soundtrack for Edgar Wright’s film, giving it a music-heavy focus comprising 30 songs in total. The standout is the original “Chase Me,” which features Run The Jewels and Big Boi.
Prince: Purple Rain Deluxe (NPG Records/Warner Bros.). This definitive compilation includes remastered versions of the late Prince’s definitive 1984 classic, as well as 11 previously unreleased songs from his vault. As Prince’s work has always been quite surprising over the years — and notably from this particular period — this is a collection that will interest everyone and not just hardcore fans.
Radiohead, OK Computer OKNOTOK 1997 2017 (XL Recordings). This is the beloved alt pioneers’ landmark album, all polished up with a 20-year-anniversary remaster. It’s also dressed up with B-sides and three unreleased songs.
