Music Shopping List: J. Cole Returns With ‘4 Your Eyez Only’

Music Shopping List: J. Cole leads a crop of new releases this week with his fourth studio album, ‘4 Your Eyez Only.’

The second week (first full week) in December yields some notable new music releases.  None is bigger than a surprise new album from J. Cole, 4 Yours Eyez Only.  Even so, the week was stacking up to have some highly anticipated albums, including the debut album by Post Malone (Stoney) and another new album from Tech N9ne (The Storm).

1. J. Cole, 4 Your Eyez Only

[RocNation]

After a two-year hiatus (2014 Forest Hills Drive), J. Cole returns with his fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only.  Much like 2014 Forest Hills Drive, the announcement of the release is abrupt with little information about the album.  Info or not, Cole seems poised to have the biggest album of the week, at least as history suggests.

• Tracks: 10
• Featured Guests: N/A
• Pre-Release Singles: N/A

2. Post Malone, Stoney

[Republic]

20-year old “White Iverson” rapper Post Malone drops his highly anticipated debut album, Stoney.  Ahead of Stoney, Malone dropped seven singles, including the aforementioned hit. Guests on Stoney include Justin Bieber (“Déjà vu”), Kehlani (“Feel”), and 2 Chainz (“Money Made Me Do It”).

• Tracks: 18
• Featured Guests: Justin Bieber, Kehlani, Quavo & 2 Chainz
• Pre-Release Singles: “Déjà vu” (ft. Justin Bieber), “White Iverson,” “Patient,” “Go Flex,” “Too Young” & “Congratulations” (ft. Quavo) & “Leave”

3. Tech N9ne, The Storm

[Strange Music]

The ever-prolific Strange Music rapper Tech N9ne returns with a new album, The Storm. The Storm serves as the proper follow-up to 2015 album, Special Effects.  In 2015, N9ne also dropped compilation Strangeulation, Vol. 2.  Like most of his albums, The Storm is lengthy, comprised of 32 tracks in its deluxe edition! A number of guests appear including Logic, Boyz II Men, and Marsha Ambrosius.

• Tracks: 32 (deluxe)
• Featured Guests: Boyz II Men, Gary Clark, Jr., Logic, Marsha Ambrosius, etc.
• Pre-Release Singles: “Godspeed”, “Sriracha” (ft. Logic & Joyner Lucas) & “Erbody But Me” (ft. Bizzy & Krizz Kaliko)

4. Hidden Figures: The Album

[Columbia]

Pharrell Williams drops Hidden Figures: The Album, the soundtrack to the forthcoming film of the same title. Ahead of the 10-track compilation, five singles were issue, including the rousing “I See A Victory” (Kim Burrell & Williams).  Artists featured on the album in addition to Burrell and Willams include Lalah Hathaway, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, and Janelle Monáe.

• Tracks: 10
• Featured Guests: Pharrell Williams, Lalah Hathaway, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Janelle Monáe & Kim Burrell
• Pre-Release Singles: “Runnin’,” “Crave,” “Surrender,” “Able” & “I See a Victory”

5. Lloyd, Tru – EP

[Young Goldie / EMPIRE]

Once popular R&B artist Lloyd returns with a new EP, Tru.  Tru marks Lloyd’s first new effort of any kind since his underrated 2011 studio album, King of Hearts.  Big names grace the five-song EP: Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and 2 Chainz.

• Tracks: 5
• Featured Guests: Rick Ross, Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz
• Pre-Release Singles: “Tru (Remix)” (ft. 2 Chainz)

6. Neil Young, Peace Trail

[Reprise]

Prolific veteran rock singer/songwriter Neil Young drops yet another album in 2016, Peace Trail.  Earlier this year, Young released Earth. Peace Trail is comprised of 10 tracks, with three tracks available prior to the album’s release: “Peace Trail,” “Show Me” & “My Pledge.”    

• Tracks: 10
• Featured Guests: N/A
• Pre-Release Singles: “Peace Trail,” “Show Me” & “My Pledge.”

Also Released:

Circle of Dust, Machines of Our Disgrace [Circle of Dust]; Hodgy, Fireplace: TheNotTheOtherSide [Odd Future]; Jacob Latimore, Connection [FTE / Jacob’s Ink, Inc. / EMPIRE]; La La Land (Soundtrack) [Interscope]; Sing (Soundtrack) [Republic]; SK8, Late 2 the Party [SK8]; Zao, The Well-Intentioned Virus [Observed/Observer Recordings]

Photo Credits: Roc Nation, Republic, Strange Music, Columbia, Young Goldie / EMPIRE, Reprise