Exo - Exodus 
New stuff from reduced collective is all over the map. But...

Using the signature "Growl"-esque formula, "Call Me Baby" co-opts the ornamentation of 90's boy groups with orchestral swag.

See Also: The dreamy and minimal beats on album closer, "Beautiful". Someone really missed Kenny G and PM Dawn.

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
Keeps it super real, super sophisticated. And yet... also manages to stay out of the college rap slum despite all that jazz, spoken word, identity politics poetry, literary lyricism, wonky beat, west coast yesteryear reverence and references. Tupac's ghost makes an appearance. And Snoop. Balance.

On the album's second single, "King Kunta", Lamar backs into his hometown with the offering of a G-funk meets prog-hop sweet spot.

See Also: "Alright" and "I"

Jasmine Sullivan - Reality Show
Built through and through on evocative songwriting and storytelling; the creepy, tragic mantras of modern made women lounging in swoony r&b minks of girl power and delusion.

"Mascara" mask. You jealous.

See also: Melancholy glitterball disco house with "Stanley... Take a bitch to dinner."

D'Angelo and The Vanguard- Black Messiah
This long-time-coming, lushly layered sonic journey reverberates with detail through every instant of play. D'Angelo haunts the album with muted falsetto vocals, queasy melodies, and fractured lyrical consciousness. But the mood is smooooth, so contradictions abound. Pay attention.