Songs You Should Be Listening To Vol. 4

This has been the most exciting 2 weeks of music I’ve had in nearly a year. New ROM, New Jordan Ward, AND several new albums announced. Things are so sweet, you almost forget that Brent Faiyaz announced his own album a month ago just to NOT release it. All is forgiven, though. Here’s what you may or may not have missed and some songs to fill that endless void in your soul.

Mike Shabb - disco duck ii + outro

Mike Shabb is quickly becoming the epitome of hip hop for Canada’s underground rap scene. It’s only a matter of time until he overtakes the mainstream as well. I welcome all the controversy that comes with that statement. Argue wit ya mammy.

Putting Montreal at the forefront while simultaneously showing love to the east coast, Mike Shabb is building a discography that spans the entirety of North America, far and wide.

With co-signs as well as work with Griselda’s de facto leader Westside Gunn and the self-proclaimed “Concreature” himself, Boldy James, it’s no wonder his music has such a gritty, raw, and almost unsettling feel to it. This track in PARTICULAR doesn’t , but songs like “Big Pirahnas” and “Ben Wallace” are bound to make you wanna throw on a ski mask and kick in doors (please do not do that. these are merely jokes. mAD iMOTiON©️ does not encourage nor advocate for the act of robbery or any such similar behavior that could lead to arrest, bodily harm, or in some cases, DEATH).

The track I’ve decided to highlight today is a testament of what Mike Shabb can do on his own without enlisting the help of the beast coast’s best. The production is up beat and lively as well as the tone in which he chooses to approach it. It almost feels like a chant at a game. It makes you wanna stomp your feet and hit the bleachers.

It’s a far cry from what I’m used to hearing out of him, but it’s a welcomed change that I can definitely get groovy with. I might also be slightly partial cause the beat and title remind me of Duck King from Fatal Fury. But that’s not a bad thing is it?

Gareth Donkin - Autumnbreeze

Going by the name “Master Soul Boy” on Soundcloud, Donkin has a sound and voice that would make even Macklemore say “damn, that’s a cold ass white boy.”

With a voice comparable to Justin Timberlake’s, but vocal progression on par with Jon B.’s, Donkin has become one of my most played artists in 2025. There’s nothing he’s made that hasn’t left me wanting more.

I had several options to choose from of his, but with November only a few days away at the time I’m writing this, I can’t think of a more fitting choice in anticipation of sweater weather and pumpkin spice pancakes (100 views and comments on this post and I’ll drop the recipe for you. Ball’s in your court now).

Gareth’s voice on this track feels like the titular “Autumnbreeze” previously mentioned. From the moment his hand hits the keyboard, you’re immediately drawn in. Once he starts to vocalize, it’s almost like a snake at the sound of a flute, you can’t help but to move at the sound of his chant, and I do mean “chant” very literally. It’s both hypnotic, melodic, and I can’t get enough of it. You HAVE to check him out if you’re not familiar with him.

SMOKIN POTNA - Jordan Ward ft. SAILORR

Jordan, Jordan, Jordan. How do you do it? Just when I think you can do no better, you find a way to top the previous release.

I ain’t gone hold you, “Juicy” was not my favorite song of Jordan Ward’s and I definitely was not looking forward to an album full of songs similar to it. By no means did I find the song “bad” per se, but to ME, it felt like something you’d hear in the trailer of a coming of age drama about some kid from a midwest town trying to rebel and get away from his overbearing, unsupportive family.

Inspiring? Yes. Oddly specific? Probably so, but it just didn’t feel like that soulful guy out of St. Louis trying to make it out and put on for his city and everybody in it. It felt, dare I say, “mainstream”.

Often is the case with an artist as they grow, they make music that is a far stretch from what made them successful or made you fall in love with their art in the first place. “SMOKIN POTNA” is not one of those songs though. This song is everything that made me fall in love with Jordan Ward’s music in the first place.

The production is FLAWLESS. A nice li’l kick and snare over a KILLER bass line. Li’l bit of keys thrown in there just to keep you intrigued. It’s catchy, it’s soulful, it’s got a nice chorus that I can belt out at the bar after 6-7 shots pause for laughter at the use of “6 7”

Add onto this the addition of SAILORR’s vocals, this track is as perfect as you’re going to get of one from ANYBODY. I’m so glad it was Jordan Ward though, I won’t even lie to you. I don’t care how biased or fanned out I sound, January 30th of the two-thousandth and twenty-sixth year of our Lord and Savior, do not hit my phone for any reason. I will be listening to the album this song was made for. Do not disturb me.

D’Angelo - Another Life

These are always the hardest entries to make. It feels bittersweet and almost too soon to put D’Angelo on here given his untimely passing just mere weeks ago. It’s especially odd cause I just mentioned him in the last entry so this feels all the more unanticipated and sudden, but it’s only made me want to listen to him more than I already did.

I’ve been relistening to a lot of “Black Messiah” recently and this song has been heavy in my rotation. I remember finding this album back in 7th grade and at the time, I don’t think the importance of it really dawned upon me until now. At the time, this was his first release in 14 years, but I don’t think anyone expected it to be his last. Outside of a few songs or features here and there, D’Angelo had practically gone off the grid. This album was and still is a big deal today, and after living a bit more life, I can now say that I share the same sentiment as others. In other words: “I understand it now.”

This song is more than just words backed by an orchestra. It’s an admission. The proclamation of a man in love with a woman who doesn’t and may never love him in the same way, but in some far off distant future, this may change. In the end, it’s only hope that keeps him going and keeps him close. It’s sad, but sincere and in many ways, relatable.

It’s almost 6 minutes of bluesy crooning that made me feel a way that only GOOD music can. So, here’s to you unc. Know that you left your mark on this world and you’ll be missed dearly. Rest easy, my friend.

Asha Imuno - eXCITING :)

This one’s for the THOTs and the ladykillers. Tell the DJ to put this one on and watch the whole party start to jump.

It’s bounce with a hint of trap and afro beat. It’s a party starter or something to play in the car when you leave it. Either way, it’s a nice little pick me up to throw in the rotation if you or someone you know needs waking up or is in a funk.

Asha tends to do that though.

I highly recommend you give your playlist a dose of him for a nice li’l burst of energy or even just something to clean to. If not this, “PUSHING BUTTONS.” If neither of those, “ROAD RAGE.” There’s really no right or wrong answer here. This one entry has quickly become 3. Let’s just move on to the next one.

Kenyon Dixon ft. Alex Isley - & Then Some

Listen to what I’m about to tell you because I’m only going to use this description once in my life: if you took a silk robe and a bubble bath and you took that feeling of euphoria you get when you dip your toes in the water and compressed it into a vinyl, this is what it would sound like.

This song is the equivalent of coming home after a long day at work and kicking off your shoes and unbuttoning them tight ass pants you keep saying you gone replace. You know the ones that squeeze you and leave marks on your waist? With the hole in the pocket? Yeah. THAT pair.

This song is like a tall glass of moscato. It literally makes me wanna melt into a chair and go limp. Kenyon and Alex compliment each other like rain on a windowpane with a warm blanket. I cannot heap enough praise onto them and this song.

No matter the mood or occasion, you put this on at any kickback or function and you’re bound to get at least one stank face or “who put this on?” from someone in attendance. Just make sure you tell ‘em where you gotcho swag at.

ROMderful and KayFarway - The ENTIRE “LIKE NOBODY IS WATCHING” Album

Good things come to those who wait and I’m SO glad I could chase. I pre-saved this album and made sure I was one of the first people who listened.

As of this writing, the album is only 4 days old and I haven’t seen a single review or mention of it yet, so, I HOPE I’m the first to show it some much deserved love and appreciation, but by the end of this, I won’t be the last. I can assure you of that.

I’ve been a fan of ROM from my first listen. The dopamine overload I get from his production is far and few between anyone else I listen to. He’s apart of a very select few who I genuinely and I mean LITERALLY have almost every. Single. Release of his on my playlist. Whether it be Soundcloud, YouTube, or Spotify, no matter the place, I likely have it. If I can’t find it one place, I’ll find it in another one, but just know, I got it.

This album to me feels like what Tyler, the Creator THINKS “DON’T TAP THE GLASS” sounds like. This is what I was expecting from him on that album and when I didn’t get it, I was highly disappointed. But this is why I love ROM. He has such a distinct sound that I can’t get from anyone else, so much so that when he’s not constantly dropping something, I HAVE to get my fix by ANY means necessary. The original is just too damn good to replicate.

KayFaraway offers some very nice vocals on the choruses for this project as well as some decent rapping on the verses. Nothing that’ll probably blow you away, but like he says: “bounce is back.” Just listen and vibe. Don’t do too much or expect a whole lot. Just enjoy.

This album made me feel like I was in high school all over again. It’s just so much fun. I honestly don’t have a single complaint or negative thing to say about it. “CALLING ME” wasn’t my favorite but even it was a nice transition into what I feel was the first REAL banger of this project which is “ALL OF YOU”. From there, it’s just one hit after another. I cannot stress this enough: you HAVE to listen to this album. Like yesterday, bro. Get hipped as soon as possible.

And with that, we’ve survived another week. It was an eventful one and just the wake up call I needed. I GOTTA lock in and be more consistent with these entries, but your favorites gotta match the energy. No good music means no blog entries from moi. This has without a shadow of a doubt though, been the EASIEST list I’ve compiled. Lots and lots to enjoy and lots to look forward to. I hope you like these as much as I did and as always, this is a safe space. Discussion is always welcomed and encouraged. Continue to dig in the crates. I’ll see you in the next one.