Music Shopping List: Lil Durk, Reliant K & More

Ah, the fourth shopping week in July! Unfortunately, it’s hard to justify an exclamation mark for any of the new albums arriving Friday, July 22.  Simply put, there’s no blockbuster with much oomph, buzz or most importantly anticipation behind it.  Sure, there are seven albums covered here, not to mention others released, but there’s nothing gargantuan.  Take your pick who’s the biggest newcomer this week – everybody is sort of “in the same boat.”

1. Lil Durk, Lil Durk 2X

[Def Jam]

Chicago rapper Lil Durk returns with sophomore album, Lil Durk 2X.  Lil Durk 2X follows Durk’s 2015 debut, Remember My Name.  Remember My Name didn’t sell particularly well, but debuted at no. 14 on the Billboard 200.

• Tracks: 14
• Featured Guests: Future, Young Thug, Ty Dolla $ign, Yo Gotti, DeJ Loaf & Kid Ink
• Pre-Release Singles: “She Just Wanna” (ft. Ty Dolla $ign), “True” & “My Beyoncé” (ft. DeJ Loaf)

2. Relient K, Air for Free

[Mono Vs Stereo]

Veteran Christian rock band Relient K returns with Air for Free, its first LP in three years. Air for Free follows 2013 LP Collapsible Lung, which debuted at no. 16 on the Billboard 200.  Three of Reliant K’s albums have been certified gold by the RIAA.

• Tracks: 16
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Bummin’” & “Mrs. Hippopotamuses’”

3. Stephen Marley, Revelation Pt. II: “The Fruit of Life”

[Ghetto Youths International]

Reggae artist Stephen Marley (son of Bob Marley), returns with Revelation Pt. II: The Fruit of Life,” his first album in five years.  Revelation Pt. II follows Revelation, Pt. 1: The Root of Life, which arrived back in 2011, topping the Reggae albums chart and entering in the top 100 of the Billboard 200.

• Tracks: 24
• Featured Guests: Waka Flocka Flame, Bounty Killer, Cobra, Capleton, Sizzla
• Pre-Release Singles: “Scars on My Feet” (ft. Waka Flocka Flame), “Ghetto Boy” (ft. Bounty Killer & Cobra), and “Rock Stone (ft. Capleton & Sizzla)

https://youtu.be/mOpCL3ggpCQ

4. Keith Sweat, Dress to Impress

[RAL/Keith Sweat]

After a five-year hiatus, adult contemporary R&B vet Keith Sweat returns with Dress to Impress.  Sweat’s previous album, ‘Til the Morning was released via eOne and debuted at no. 38 on the Billboard 200.  Throughout his illustrious career, Sweat has earned numerous gold, platinum, and multiplatinum albums.  Sweat’s best charting album was his self-titled album back in 1996, which debuted at no. 5.  His most recent top-10 album came by way of Just Me, which debuted at no. 10 back in 2008.

• Tracks: 16
• Featured Guests: Silk, Takiya Mason, Dru Hill & Gerald Levert
• Pre-Release Singles: “Good Love” & “Just The 2 of Us” (ft. Takiya Mason)

https://youtu.be/wWvBmwzvxMI

5. Austin Jones, Pitch Imperfect

[Austin Jones]

Talented Chicago Alternative singer Austin Jones releases Pitch Imperfect, an 8-song album featuring acapella covers including My Chemical Romance (“Welcome to the Black Parade”), Fall Out Boy (“Sugar We’re Going Down”), and Panic! At The Disco (“I Write Sins Not Tragedies”).

• Tracks: 8
• Featured Guests: none
• Pre-Release Singles: “Welcome to the Black Parade” (Acapella)

https://youtu.be/SIXp7u2sWjI

6. Neon Hitch, Anarchy

[WeRNeon/FanLabel]

Dance/electronic-pop artist Neon Hitch releases her debut album, Anarchy following several collaborations with others. Unfortunately, Anarchy hasn’t been a highly promoted affair.

• Tracks: 14
• Featured Guests: Collie Buddz, Liam Horne, Calix
• Pre-Release Singles: “Please”

7. Hezekiah Walker, Azusa the Next Generation 2 – Better

[Azusa Inc. / Entertainment One]

Beloved contemporary gospel singer Hezekiah returns with Azusa the Next Generation 2 – Better.  Better naturally follows up 2013 LP Azusa: The Next Generation, which topped the gospel charts.

• Tracks: 10
• Featured Guests: Patrick Dopson, Antonique Smith, Carl Thomas, etc.
• Pre-Release Singles: “Better” & “God Is For Me” (ft. Patrick Dopson)

Also Released: Felly, Young Fel [2273]; Leeland, Invisible [Bethel]; The New Low, Continuance [Razor & Tie]; Periphery, Periphery III: Select Difficulty [Sumerian];Phonte & Eric Roberson, Tigallerro [The Foreign Exchange Music]; $uicideBoy$, Radical $Uicide (EP) [G59]