Music Shopping List: Migos Lead the Charge

Migos, Brantley Gilbert, and Kehlani arrive with highly anticipated new albums, closing out a relatively, quiet January.  

The final music release week of January 2017 packs a mightier punch than the weeks preceding it.  Last week was another quiet week, with AFI (The Blood Album) among the crème de la crème.  This week, the top three releases all pack a punch.  Migos lead the charge with Culture, thanks to “Bad and Boujee,” while Brantley Gilbert (The Devil Don’t Stop) and Kehlani (SweetSexySavage) deserve love as well.

1. Migos, Culture

[300 Entertainment]

2017 looks to be a big year for rap trio Migos (Offset, Quavo, and Takeoff).  Migos drop new album Culture following their breakthrough, no. 1 hit, “Bad and Boujee” (featuring Lil Uzi Vert).  Culture arrives more than a year after their 2015 album, Yung Rich Nation.

• Tracks: 13
• Featured Guests: DJ Khaled, Lil Uzi Vert, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott
• Singles: “T-Shirt,” “Call Casting,” “Bad and Boujee” & “What the Price”

2. Brantley Gilbert, The Devil Don’t Sleep

[Big Machine] 

Georgia country standout Brantley Gilbert returns with his fourth album, The Devil Don’t Sleep.  The Devil Don’t Sleep follows his 2014 platinum-certified album, Just As I Am.  Just As I Am debuted at no. 2 on the Billboard 200 back in 2014, right behind Coldplay’s Ghost Stories.

• Tracks: 26 (deluxe version)
• Featured Guests: N/A
• Singles: “Rockin’ Chairs,” “The Weekend,” “You Could Be That Girl,” “Tried to Tell Ya” & “Outlaw in Me”

3. Kehlani, SweetSexySavage

[Atlantic]

Up-and-coming R&B singer Kehlani drops her debut album, SweetSexySavage.  Kehlani released a mixtape in 2015 entitled, You Should Be Here.  Interestingly, the mixtape was nominated for a Grammy for Urban Contemporary album. Ahead of SSS, Kehlani released five singles.

• Tracks: 19 (deluxe version)
• Featured Guests:
• Singles: “Distraction,” “Undercover,” “CRZY” & “Advice” & “Do U Dirty”

4. Train, a girl a bottle a boat

[Columbia]

Train continues to be one of the more prolific rock bands as of late.  After releasing Does Led Zeppelin II in 2016, they return with a girl a bottle a boat.  A girl a bottle a boat serves as a proper follow-up to their 2014 LP, Bulletproof Picasso.  Interestingly, the first five songs of the album were available prior to its release.

• Tracks: 11
• Featured Guests: Pricilla Renea
• Singles: “Drink Up,” “Play That Song,” “The News,” “Lottery” & “Working Girl

5. Lauren Alaina, Road Less Traveled

[19]

American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina returns with her sophomore album, Road Less Traveled.  Road Less Traveled arrives more than five years after her debut, Wildflower.

• Tracks: 12
• Singles: “Road Less Traveled,” “Queen of Hearts,” “Painting Pillows,” “Next Boyfriend” & “Holding the Other”

6. Bell Biv DeVoe, Three Stripes

[The Triangle / Entertainment One]

Biv Bell DeVoe returns with their first album in more than fifteen years, Three Stripes.  Three Stripes follows BBD, which dropped in December 2001.  Interestingly, Three Stripes features old school royalty with the likes of Doug E. Fresh, SWV, and Boyz II Men.

• Tracks: 10
• Featured Guests: Doug E. Fresh, SWV & Boyz II Men
• Singles: “I’m Betta,” “Run” & “Finally”

Also Released: Brian Johnson & Jenn Johnson, After All These Years [Bethel Music]; Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau, Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau [Nonesuch]; Japandroids, Near to the Wild Heart of Life [Anti]; Joshua Radin, The Fall [Glass Bead]

Photo Credits: 300 Entertainment, Big Machine, Atlantic, Columbia, 19, The Triangle/Entertainment One