New Music Friday: SZA, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Metro Boomin, Mount Westmore

SZA’s triple platinum album, Ctrl, became the soundtrack for many twenty-somethings experiencing growing pains of adulthood. Five years later, SZA is closing out the year with her sophomore album, SOS, which follows the same theme as Ctrl but from a more self-assured viewpoint: “This ain’t no warning shot / Case all you hoes forgot,”, she sings. The 23-track project features Phoebe Bridgers, Don Toliver, Travis Scott, Lizzo, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. SOS showcases the maturation, sonically and lyrically, for Solána. Throughout the album she maintains her signature lo-fi beats but sprinkles in soft-rock. SOS acts as a music gradient – one hour of transitions into hip hop, grunge/punk, and R&B.

Supergroup, Mount Westmore, has released their debut album Snoop, Cube, 40, $hort. During the pandemic, the four rap veterans decided to form a group that would blend their unique styles together. Since each member acts as a hip hop icon on their own, collectively these rappers showcase the old-school, California-sound of storytelling over signature West Coast beats. The first track opens with an unyielding declaration of the albums tone, “California’/ fa’sho, fa’sho/ tell the people this is Mount Westmore”, the rappers state.

Summer Jam alumnus, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, has released his fourth studio album, Me vs Myself. The project’s theme is half himself, Artist Dubouse and half performer, A Boogie. The 22-track project features Tory Lanez, Roddy Rich, Kodak Black, Don Q, G Herbo, Lil Durk and H.E.R. The original release date was November 4th, but was pushed back to avoid competing with Her Loss, a collaborative studio album with Drake and 21 Savage. The rapper teased fans earlier this week by dropping “Water (Drowning Pt. 2)” featuring Kodak Black.

Bronx-bred drill rapper, Kay Flock rose to fame in 2021 through a variety of singles, most notably “Not in the Mood” by Lil Tjay. Then earlier this year, Flock released “Shake It” featuring Dougie B and Cardi B which debuted #51 on Billboards HOT 100. Today (Dec 9,) the 19-year has released The D.O.A. Tape Care Package which is an expanded edition to his 2021 mixtape. The rapper is currently incarcerated for allegedly killing Oscar Hernandez.

Last Friday, (Dec 2,), St. Louis native, Metro Boomin released his second studio album HEROES & VILLAINS, a follow-up from 2017’s Not All Hero’s Wear Capes. The 15 track project features familiar collaborators such as 21 Savage, Yung Nudy, The Weeknd, Travis Scott and Young Thug while John Legend, Don Toliver and Chris Brown lend R&B vocals to some tracks. Future, Gunna, A$AP Rocky, and Takeoff make several appearances throughout the 48-minute project. Ahead of the album’s release, Metro Boomin dropped a six-minute promotional film starring LaKeith Stanfield, Morgan Freeman, Young Thug and Gunna.