With so much good music being released all the time, it can be hard to determine what to listen to first. Every week, Pitchfork offers a run-down of significant new releases available on streaming services. This week’s batch includes new albums from Curren$y, RXK Nephew, Popstar Benny, Krolok, and Don Trip. Subscribe to Pitchfork’s New Music Friday newsletter to get our recommendations in your inbox every week. (All releases featured here are independently selected by our editors. When you buy something through our affiliate links, however, Pitchfork earns an affiliate commission.)
Curren$y: Pilot Talk 4 [Jet Life]
It’s hardly a New Music Friday without Curren$y, who, in 2021, has released nine projects: Collection Agency (February), Welcome to Jet Life Recordings 2 (June), Highest in Charge (August), Matching Rolexes (September), Still Stoned on Ocean (October), Regatta (October), the Land Air Sea EP (November), and, now, Pilot Talk 4. The Louisiana rapper’s latest was made with producer Ski Beatz, and marks his first Pilot Talk entry since 2015’s III.
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RXK Nephew: Transporter 4 [New Breed Trapper]
RXK Nephew releases a lot more music than Curren$y and he doesn’t really wait until Fridays. Any day is fine. The Rochester rapper’s 21-minute Transporter 4 arrives just nine days after Shawty RXK Too 2. And, to be clear, RXK Nephew has not previously released anything with Transporter in its title: The new release is vaguely an homage to the 2015 film The Transporter Refueled. A highlight on Transporter 4 is the pensive “I Got 5 Pair of Amiri Jeans,” produced by Axelbloodyaxel. For more on the prolific rapper, read Alphonse Pierre’s “The 100 Best RXK Nephew Songs of 2021.”
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Popstar Benny: Album [Popstar FM]
Popstar Benny is a producer from Mableton, Georgia, who is known for his work with Bear1Boss and Rod Wave. His new album, simply called Album, features Bear1Boss and other familiar collaborators like Mike, Tony Shhnow, Key!, and MuddyMya.
Krolok: Funeral Winds & Crimson Sky [Osmose Productions]
Funeral Winds & Crimson Sky is the first album from atmospheric black metal band Krolok since 2017’s Flying Above Ancient Ruins. The Slovakian trio describes Funeral Winds & Crimson Sky as “a retrospective look into the past, where old forlorn ruins and obscurity reign over desolate landscapes.”
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Don Trip: Pray God’s Not Watching [self-released]
Don Trip, the Memphis rapper well known for his Step Brothers mixtapes with Starlito, previewed his new album with title track “Pray God’s Not Watching” and “Mascot.” The album includes guest spots from Starlito and Pif, as well as production by DTdaKidd, Chefry Kitchen, Wavy808, and others.
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