Shatter the Standards
@thestandards.bsky.social
We are dedicated to celebrating milestones, unearthing lesser-known musical gems, and promoting discussions around albums and new music that might not receive ample attention in mainstream conversations.
https://www.shatterthestandards.com
https://www.shatterthestandards.com
On It Could Be Worse, Samm Henshaw keeps asking love to stay while also begging it not to hurt him. The contradiction is the most honest thing here.
Album Review: It Could Be Worse by Samm Henshaw
On It Could Be Worse, Samm Henshaw keeps asking love to stay while also begging it not to hurt him. The contradiction is the most honest thing here.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:05 AM
On It Could Be Worse, Samm Henshaw keeps asking love to stay while also begging it not to hurt him. The contradiction is the most honest thing here.
Each guide is based on this run of albums, believed to be part of Michael Jackson’s roots. It then branches out into post-1995, drawn from that tree. Here’s the disco and boogie section.
The Musical Lineage of Michael Jackson (Dance / Boogie)
Each guide is based on this run of albums, believed to be part of Michael Jackson’s roots. It then branches out into post-1995, drawn from that tree. Here’s the disco and boogie section.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Each guide is based on this run of albums, believed to be part of Michael Jackson’s roots. It then branches out into post-1995, drawn from that tree. Here’s the disco and boogie section.
The LA singer’s studio debut makes jealousy sound like devotion and generosity look like a loan. When he says “love,” listen closer.
Album Review: Ratchet & Blues by Phabo
The LA singer’s studio debut makes jealousy sound like devotion and generosity look like a loan. When he says “love,” listen closer.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:05 PM
The LA singer’s studio debut makes jealousy sound like devotion and generosity look like a loan. When he says “love,” listen closer.
The Hempstead pimp laureate returns with another self-produced luxury manual. Another set of immaculate contempt, and the pen stays sharper than ever. Still cold, still funny, still hitting.
Album Review: 656 by Roc Marciano
The Hempstead pimp laureate returns with another self-produced luxury manual. Another set of immaculate contempt, and the pen stays sharper than ever. Still cold, still funny, still hitting.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:05 AM
The Hempstead pimp laureate returns with another self-produced luxury manual. Another set of immaculate contempt, and the pen stays sharper than ever. Still cold, still funny, still hitting.
The behind-the-scenes hitmaker’s sophomore effort documents modern love as mutual surveillance, trading vulnerability for the upper hand.
Album Review: What I Didn’t Say by Nija
The behind-the-scenes hitmaker’s sophomore effort documents modern love as mutual surveillance, trading vulnerability for the upper hand.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:05 AM
The behind-the-scenes hitmaker’s sophomore effort documents modern love as mutual surveillance, trading vulnerability for the upper hand.
As new albums and singles get constantly flooded into our radar, look no further than skimming through the release week of January 23rd. We know it can be a task, so let’s help you cut through.
New Music Drops: January 23, 2026
As new albums and singles get constantly flooded into our radar, look no further than skimming through the release week of January 23rd. We know it can be a task, so let’s help you cut through.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:05 AM
As new albums and singles get constantly flooded into our radar, look no further than skimming through the release week of January 23rd. We know it can be a task, so let’s help you cut through.
A fifteen-year sentence became three, and now IDK spends fifteen tracks calculating what he owes and who he’ll never pay back. He has the detail of a witness and the conscience of a getaway driver.
Album Review: e.t.d.s. A Mixtape by .idk. by IDK
A fifteen-year sentence became three, and now IDK spends fifteen tracks calculating what he owes and who he’ll never pay back. He has the detail of a witness and the conscience of a getaway driver.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 22, 2026 at 10:05 PM
A fifteen-year sentence became three, and now IDK spends fifteen tracks calculating what he owes and who he’ll never pay back. He has the detail of a witness and the conscience of a getaway driver.
The producer assembles R&B royalty for a family reunion album. Sadly, the talented guests can’t save songs stuck on one emotional note. The album mistakes proximity to greatness for greatness itself.
Album Review: Campilation by Camper
The producer assembles R&B royalty for a family reunion album. Sadly, the talented guests can’t save songs stuck on one emotional note. The album mistakes proximity to greatness for greatness itself.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:35 PM
The producer assembles R&B royalty for a family reunion album. Sadly, the talented guests can’t save songs stuck on one emotional note. The album mistakes proximity to greatness for greatness itself.
Ari Lennox’s third and first post-Dreamville release offers vintage soul seduction and modern demands, but can’t escape the fact that she’s still asking questions nobody’s answered.
Album Review: Vacancy by Ari Lennox
Ari Lennox’s third and first post-Dreamville release offers vintage soul seduction and modern demands, but can’t escape the fact that she’s still asking questions nobody’s answered.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Ari Lennox’s third and first post-Dreamville release offers vintage soul seduction and modern demands, but can’t escape the fact that she’s still asking questions nobody’s answered.
The R&B General staked his comeback on a sequel nobody asked for—returning to the title that made him, only to prove the magic couldn't be bottled twice and find the water had gone tepid.
Anniversaries: Sex, Love & Pain II by Tank
The R&B General staked his comeback on a sequel nobody asked for—returning to the title that made him, only to prove the magic couldn't be bottled twice and find the water had gone tepid.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:05 AM
The R&B General staked his comeback on a sequel nobody asked for—returning to the title that made him, only to prove the magic couldn't be bottled twice and find the water had gone tepid.
Listen to new releases from The James Hunter Six, Lexa Gates, Girlfriend, Elijah Blake, Ady Suleiman, BXKS, The Sha La Das, JELISA, Kyla Imani, James Jordan, Jackiem Joyner, and Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps.
Wednesday Roundups #133: 12 New Projects You Should Listen to Now
Listen to new releases from The James Hunter Six, Lexa Gates, Girlfriend, Elijah Blake, Ady Suleiman, BXKS, The Sha La Das, JELISA, Kyla Imani, James Jordan, Jackiem Joyner, and others.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:05 AM
Listen to new releases from The James Hunter Six, Lexa Gates, Girlfriend, Elijah Blake, Ady Suleiman, BXKS, The Sha La Das, JELISA, Kyla Imani, James Jordan, Jackiem Joyner, and Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps.
After years away, Ady Suleiman returns with songs about bad love, late-learned self-respect, and trying again. He also tackles heartbreak, police violence, and family pride with his most honest work.
Album Review: Chasing by Ady Suleiman
After years away, Ady Suleiman returns with songs about bad love, late-learned self-respect, and trying again. He also tackles heartbreak, police violence, and family pride with his most honest work.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:05 PM
After years away, Ady Suleiman returns with songs about bad love, late-learned self-respect, and trying again. He also tackles heartbreak, police violence, and family pride with his most honest work.
A medication reaction puts the Richmond multi-instrumentalist in the hospital longer than expected. He calls his community in and makes a record that swings between discipline and release.
Album Review: ElectroSoul by DJ Harrison
A medication reaction puts the Richmond multi-instrumentalist in the hospital longer than expected. He calls his community in and makes a record that swings between discipline and release.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:05 AM
A medication reaction puts the Richmond multi-instrumentalist in the hospital longer than expected. He calls his community in and makes a record that swings between discipline and release.
Claudette was fifteen, tired of being ordered smaller, and clear about her rights. Her refusal came before the cameras were ready and before history decided who felt safe enough to remember. Read over at Blackpolitan.
The Girl Who Would Not Move
Claudette was fifteen, tired of being ordered smaller, and clear about her rights. Her refusal came before the cameras were ready and before history decided who felt safe enough to remember.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Claudette was fifteen, tired of being ordered smaller, and clear about her rights. Her refusal came before the cameras were ready and before history decided who felt safe enough to remember. Read over at Blackpolitan.
From a forgotten teen-pop debut to a Grammy-winning meditation on Black womanhood, Solange’s catalog tells the story of an artist figuring it out in public. We’re ranking her discography.
Ranking Discographies: Solange
From a forgotten teen-pop debut to a Grammy-winning meditation on Black womanhood, Solange’s catalog tells the story of an artist figuring it out in public. We’re ranking her discography.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:05 AM
From a forgotten teen-pop debut to a Grammy-winning meditation on Black womanhood, Solange’s catalog tells the story of an artist figuring it out in public. We’re ranking her discography.
Talking Heads covers filtered through Afrobeat, gospel, samba, and dub—a tribute that reroutes the band’s rhythms back to the Black musical lineages they borrowed from.
Album Review: Naive Melodies by Various Artists (BBE Music)
Talking Heads covers filtered through Afrobeat, gospel, samba, and dub—a tribute that reroutes the band’s rhythms back to the Black musical lineages they borrowed from.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:05 AM
Talking Heads covers filtered through Afrobeat, gospel, samba, and dub—a tribute that reroutes the band’s rhythms back to the Black musical lineages they borrowed from.
Jill Scott came back with instructions. Plus: Ella Mai does math, Elmiene stays inside, Destin Conrad figured out his ex wasn't real, and Tiana Major9 opens her new track with a refusal. Read over at Soulpolitan.
Grandma’s Yams With the Marshmallows on Top
Jill Scott came back with instructions. Plus: Ella Mai does math, Elmiene stays inside, Destin Conrad figured out his ex wasn't real, and Tiana Major9 opens her new track with a refusal.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Jill Scott came back with instructions. Plus: Ella Mai does math, Elmiene stays inside, Destin Conrad figured out his ex wasn't real, and Tiana Major9 opens her new track with a refusal. Read over at Soulpolitan.
YoungBoy dropped thirty tracks about murders he can’t stop replaying and women he can’t stop losing. This bloated effort dilutes what the specifics earn.
Album Review: Slime Cry by YoungBoy Never Broke Again
YoungBoy dropped thirty tracks about murders he can’t stop replaying and women he can’t stop losing. This bloated effort dilutes what the specifics earn.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:05 AM
YoungBoy dropped thirty tracks about murders he can’t stop replaying and women he can’t stop losing. This bloated effort dilutes what the specifics earn.
On her full-length debut studio album, Girlfriend keeps lighting the same match and wondering why her fingers burn. Her songs revolve around staying when you should leave.
Album Review: Honey Water by Girlfriend
On her full-length debut studio album, Girlfriend keeps lighting the same match and wondering why her fingers burn. Her songs revolve around staying when you should leave.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 17, 2026 at 1:05 PM
On her full-length debut studio album, Girlfriend keeps lighting the same match and wondering why her fingers burn. Her songs revolve around staying when you should leave.
With his latest studio release, Elijah Blake steps out from the shadows. What he finds there is messy, jealous, possessive, and occasionally devastating.
Album Review: THE GEMINI by Elijah Blake
With his latest studio release, Elijah Blake steps out from the shadows. What he finds there is messy, jealous, possessive, and occasionally devastating.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:05 AM
With his latest studio release, Elijah Blake steps out from the shadows. What he finds there is messy, jealous, possessive, and occasionally devastating.
While remixes have faced challenges in recent years, with many feeling more like calculated attempts to boost streams than artistic nuances, it’s clear that the spirit of remixing is far from dead.
The Lost Art of Remixes In Hip-Hop and R&B
While remixes have faced challenges in recent years, with many feeling more like calculated attempts to boost streams than artistic nuances, it’s clear that the spirit of remixing is far from dead.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:05 PM
While remixes have faced challenges in recent years, with many feeling more like calculated attempts to boost streams than artistic nuances, it’s clear that the spirit of remixing is far from dead.
As we’re approaching three months to the biopic, what better way to go down memory lane to the King of Pop, whose resume speaks for itself. From Jackson 5 to solo, we present 29 records.
The Handguide to Michael Jackson
As we’re approaching three months to the biopic, what better way to go down memory lane to the King of Pop, whose resume speaks for itself. From Jackson 5 to solo, we present 29 records.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:05 PM
As we’re approaching three months to the biopic, what better way to go down memory lane to the King of Pop, whose resume speaks for itself. From Jackson 5 to solo, we present 29 records.
Eight years of noise, a courtroom cloud cleared, fatherhood that shows up in actual bars. A$AP Rocky came back with something to say and something to defend.
Album Review: Don’t Be Dumb by A$AP Rocky
Eight years of noise, a courtroom cloud cleared, fatherhood that shows up in actual bars. A$AP Rocky came back with something to say and something to defend.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Eight years of noise, a courtroom cloud cleared, fatherhood that shows up in actual bars. A$AP Rocky came back with something to say and something to defend.
With songs of assurances that keep cracking under pressure. A Queens rapper spends almost an hour convincing herself she’s okay while the verses keep snitching.
Album Review: I Am by Lexa Gates
With songs of assurances that keep cracking under pressure. A Queens rapper spends almost an hour convincing herself she’s okay while the verses keep snitching.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:05 AM
With songs of assurances that keep cracking under pressure. A Queens rapper spends almost an hour convincing herself she’s okay while the verses keep snitching.
As new albums and singles get constantly flooded into our radar, look no further than skimming through the release week of January 16th. We know it can be a task, so let’s help you cut through.
New Music Drops: January 16, 2026
As new albums and singles get constantly flooded into our radar, look no further than skimming through the release week of January 16th. We know it can be a task, so let’s help you cut through.
www.shatterthestandards.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:05 AM
As new albums and singles get constantly flooded into our radar, look no further than skimming through the release week of January 16th. We know it can be a task, so let’s help you cut through.