Issue 114

Lecrae's surprise mixtape solidifies his position as a leader in not just Christian or conscious hip hop, but the whole genre. His music has gone from surprisingly good to demanding respect, and at this point in his career, it sounds like Lecrae is at his prime. Read more.

Leon Bridges' first full-length album is simply stunning: a real throwback to vintage soul music that feels so authentic that it's as if it travelled by time from the 1960s. It's no doubt one of the best albums of 2015, and perhaps the best "throwback" soul record ever made. Read more.

Dessa's work as a solo artist proves her to be one of the best underground rappers out there, but it's really her ability to switch from rap to beautifully-sung choruses that'll have you hooked. Read more.

With her debut record, Empress Of begins a promising career in crossover electronic music that will appear to anybody. Whether you're a pop lover or a dream pop fan, Empress Of's music has a surprising varieties of tonalities and an excellent range of material. Read more.

Her announces the mysterious French duo as one of the most experimental and exemplary names in modern R&B. With electronic and synth-laden tracks spread throughout the record, Her's biggest accomplishment is sounding much bigger than they are. Whether they can stretch this quality out over a full-length record is yet to be seen. Read more.