We’re all halfway through the year and if the world hasn’t turned us upside down yet, the plethora of music being released should. It seems most artists are deliberate and direct and seem to know exactly what they’re doing, allowing songs to transcend senses while never compromising. Our interaction with a few we’ve come across have delivered exceptional compositions and here we take a look at a few who have ushered in the new year without pause.

B. BRAVO – “Da Essence” Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

This one came in as a bit of a surprise. The L.A. producer B. BRAVO released an amazing album filled with chilled beach or lounge vibes, you can make that decision on your own. There are nuances throughout his Visionz (Bastard Jazz Recordings) but it’s “Believe,” which features Chuck Inglish (The Cool Kids), leaves much to the imagination with Inglish’s clever wordplay.

dälek – “Boycott” Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Longtime fan of New Jersey’s dälek, the outfit continues to transcend expectations from album to album. Off Precipice (Ipecac Recordings), one song stands out for the noisy & experimental Hip-Hop outfit, and that’s “Boycott.” Musically, this takes all of the best parts of what the group does; walls of clashing instrumentation cloaked in darkness and moodiness, and heady lyricism. The sound, the true soundclash, is completely inexplicable.

TV Priest – “It Was Beautiful” Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

London’s own TV Priest returned with My Other People (Sub Pop) and deliver “It Was Beautiful,” a smashing concoction of ecstasy, power, and fiery dynamics. The band seems to have evolved a bit, taking more chances here than it had in the past.

Robert Glasper – “Black Superhero” Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The man who never needs any introduction released a banger with “Black Superhero,” which featured Killer Mike, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Big K.R.I.T. The feel all around is laidback, with its repetitive piano, Glasper’s steady beat with Mike, BJ, and K.R.I.T. offering up more reasons why every black neighborhood needs a black superhero. Yes, this is that next level shit. The track is off his latest, Black Radio III (Loma Vista Recordings).

Bloodmoney Perez & Messiah Musik “SAMO” Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Out of the great Northwest, Bloodmoney Perez joins with Baltimore beatmaker Messiah Musik for his Second Hand Accounts (FilthyBroke Recordings), and it’s “SAMO” that quickly captures attention with his lyricism surrounding the disparity through the art world. All this over Messiah backdrop, which is fitting for Perez’ deadpan delivery.

Tangled Up – “Leto’s Joker” Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The loud art-rock punk many I’m sure are unfamiliar with will soon get to know Philly’s Tangled Up and its latest, Silk Embroidered Light (Knife Hits Records). Seriously, no one liked Leto’s version of the Joker, or as a 10-year-old once told me, “He’s completely off-brand,” but the band’s “Leto’s Joker” is challenging, abrasive, melodic, and captivating all at once. If there’s anything anyone should listen to, it’s Tangled Up.

Factor Chandelier – “So Cold” Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

This one was a difficult decision to make with an album packed with so much artistry. But we settled down here with “So Cold,” from Factor’s Time Invested II (Fake Four Inc.) featuring Moka Only who alone has a catalog of music that will knock you on your ass. This is what we call grown folk music; it’s the contemporary Boom Bap sound that’s infectious and riveting. Moka Only has a voice that’s soothing and completely fitting.

Sham Family – “The Blue Mob” Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

With little to no information about Toronto’s Sham Family, we should all still keep the band’s post-punk throb of “The Blue Mob” on constant repeat. Given that all the songs on the group’s S/T EP hit with a fervor and it was all about just picking one out. “The Blue Mob” has great stop/starts, ringing guitars, distanced feedback, and a monotone vocal delivery that’ll never leave you bored once you hit the dance floor.

Pedro The Lion – “Teenage Sequencer” Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

There’s always something about David Bazan’s vocal deliveries that are so endearing. It’s no different for “Teenage Sequencer,” off of Pedro’s latest album Havasu (Polyvinyl), but here there’s so much innocence in his lyrical composition. Temper that with his delivery, it shimmers brilliantly. The song’s crescendo and decline fits perfectly alongside it.

Oneida – “Beat Me To The Punch” Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Honestly, there’s a lot going on within Success but it’s “Beat Me To The Punch” that ripples with the vibrancy of a number of styles, and once you think you know which way New York’s Oneida is going, you’re surprised by the glistening feedback of guitars that never eschew the song’s melody. It literally develops from a pop song to one drenched in the cacophony. The single is off the latest Success (Joyful Noise Recordings).