Back catalogue: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: These are buoyant times for leftfield hip hop rooted in experimentation and lo-fi sonics, and here comes Denzel Curry returning with a serious lesson for all newcomers. Hailing from Carol City, Florida, Curry has been dropping pure fire for more than 10 years, but his current form is pushing him even further into the global rap conscious. Kenny Beats is taking no prisoners on the production, while Curry's righteous anger gets processed, re-pitched and mashed up and still it lands every blow. Moving through skits, mad samples and heavyweight tracks, this is everything a visionary hip hop LP should be.

Review: Following the more contemporary r&b, neo-soul and psychedelic funk flavours of 2023's Red Moon in Venus, a set in which she sung almost entirely in English, Colombian American artist Kali Uchis has decided to return to her roots on fourth full-length Orquideas. That not only means vocals in Spanish, but also a varied sound palette that draws on a wide variety of Colombian and wider Latin musical styles - think reggaeton, demblow, bolero, salsa, Brazilian MPB and bossa-nova. It's a superb, expansive and evocative set all told, with a fine supporting cast of high-profile guest performers including Karol G, Peso Pluma, El Alfa and JT.

Review: A decade after making her debut, and some six years on from the release of her widely acclaimed 'Tale Me Apart' album, Kelela is back on Warp with what some critics are saying is her strongest work to date. While her early musical missives twisted R&B in dark new directions, with her sweet and emotion-rich voice front and centre, 'Raven' takes her in a variety of thrilling new directions. The album was recorded in two weeks in Berlin, with the lyrics chronicling a love affair in reverse order (so the pain of breakup is explored on the drowsy ambient pop opener 'Washed Away'). Musically, it's far more diverse than many were expecting, with forays into dreamy breakbeat, jungle, IDM and two-step garage complimenting her usual otherworldly R&B grooves.

Review: It's taken a while, but finally Knxwledge has delivered the follow-up to his "official" debut album, 2015's "Hud Dreems". A concept album of sorts - the tall tale behind it being that the beats were created in 1988 by an infant version of our musical hero after he climbed inside an SP-12 sampler and mastered the machine - the set sees Knxwledge sprint through a beat-tape style assortment of short, sweet and often sublime instrumentals that make use of a variety of period samples. Given his track record, it's an impressive album, regardless whether the beats were genuinely made when he was in "Nike diapers" (as the press release amusingly claims) or not.

Review: After a long hiatus from solo projects, Kurious returns with Majician, an album that cements his legacy as a top-tier lyricist. Known for his 1994 debut A Constipated Monkey. Kurious delivers a fresh yet familiar sound on this new release. Produced by Mono En Stereo and executive produced by the late DOOM, Majician is a masterful blend of intricate wordplay and reflective storytelling. Tracks like 'Eye of Horus' showcase Kurious' ability to effortlessly navigate complex beats with insightful rhymes, while 'Separation Anxiety' delves deep into personal themes through sharp lyricism. 'Par For the Course' revitalises classic drum breaks, bringing a nostalgic yet innovative touch to the project. Majician is more than just a comeback; it's a powerful reaffirmation of Kurious' skill and dedication to the craft. The album's meticulous production and introspective content highlight Kurious as an MC who has not only endured but evolved.

Review: Talib Kweli and J Rawls reunite after 25 years to deliver a heartfelt tribute to hip-hop's golden era. Their collaboration blends Kweli's razor-sharp lyricism with Rawls' authentic boom-bap production, crafting a rich, soulful journey through the genre's essence. Tracks like 'Breath, Eyes, Memory' bring introspection, while 'Turnstyle' captures nostalgia and 'Native Sons' pays homage to the Native Tongues collective. With an impressive roster of collaborators including Blu, Georgia Anne Muldrow and Skyzoo, the album underscores the depth of rap culture. A celebration of roots, growth and timeless artistry, firmly rooted in the traditions that shaped the genre.