This Week's Rotation: Quelle Chris & Chris Keys, Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes, Kali Uchis and More

From Smino’s mesmerizing soulful raps to Kali Uchis’s sensual singing, this week’s picks are the best way to escape the quarantine. Whether you’re in the mood for something slow to digest, or maybe something a little more upbeat, check out which projects we’ve been listening to this week.

Quelle Chris & Chris Keys – Innocent Country 2

Quelle Chris and Chris Keys recently released “Innocent Country 2,” the sequel to their 2015 album “Innocent Country.” The project is gentle and funky at its core, with mellowed out boom-bap production while also channeling buttery neo-soul influences, the album blends together seamlessly with clever skits. Standout features from Earl Sweatshirt, Pink Siifu and Nappy Nina stretch across the expansive album. Sitting at just about an hour with 16 tracks, “Innocent Country 2” is full of exciting moments to keep anyone engaged. 

Best tracks: Living Happy, Grease from the Elbows, Mirage

Smino – She Already Decided

Last Tuesday, Saint Louis’s Smino caught us by surprise by dropping a brand new mixtape. Smino’s joyful style shines through once more on “She Already Decided.” The tape is filled with his traditional blend of neo-soul and psychedelic rap and is a pleasure to listen to. His hypnotic charisma and off-beat cadence paired with atypical production that’s both creative and clever. If you’re looking for a good listen to while stuck indoors, this should definitely be in your queue. 

Best Tracks: Popeyes, Chips and Juice, Cabbage

Kali Uchis – TO FEEL ALIVE EP

In the two years after Kali Uchis’s release of her debut album “Isolation,” the singer has kept busy with a string of guest features on projects by Kaytranada, The Free Nationals, Thundercat and more. Outside of guest features, the singer has kept relatively quiet, releasing just one single late last year. “To Feel Alive” marks the singer’s return as she serenades us with a highly sensual EP. In an Instagram post, the singer revealed that she recorded everything herself, writing that she “recorded all of it alone, in my room, last week bcoz i won’t roll out my real album right now, but wanna give my babies Something ٩(˘◡˘)۶…” If this is a glimpse into what Kali Uchis’s upcoming album is going to sound like, then, by all means, give us more. 

Best Tracks: TO FEEL ALIVE, angel, i want war (BUT I NEED PEACE)

Guapdad 4000 – Platinum Falcon Tape, Vol. 1

For the last month or so, Guapdad 4000 has been dropping singles every Friday under the “Falcon Fridays” series. Guapdad compiled the songs and put them into a tape for people to listen to, the project features songs with original production from Guapdad himself. If you wanted entertaining raps about scamming, designer brands, and women to cheer you up, then look no further than the Ferragamo Falcon himself. 

Best tracks: Trade Places With Them Jeans, Greedy, Peanut Butter Pootie Tang

Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes – What Kinda Music

Worlds clash and blend on the collaborative project “What Kinda Music” from Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes. The two create a brand new world where Misch’s electronic background and vocal talent seamlessly blend with Dayes’s jazzy drumming. Although the project comes in at a smooth 45 minutes, it’ll pass through you like a breath of fresh air, leaving you wanting more. 

Best tracks: Nightrider, Sensational, I Did It For You