New Music Friday: 5 albums to hear this week

J Hus’s new album Big Conspiracy arrives two-and-a-half years after his debut, the Brit and Mercury Prize-nominated Common Sense. Between the two records, J Hus spent three months in prison for carrying a knife, a period of slowed-down time that might have contributed to the album’s mellower sound. Then again, this shift could simply be down to the rapid nature of growing up in your early 20s (the rapper is still just 23). Either way, the result is an album that’s more subtle and low-key than its predecessor, matched by more inward-looking and contemplative lyrics. There are still plenty of playful UK/Afro-fusion bops and effortless melodic hooks across Big Conspiracy, while features from Burna Boy, Koffee, and newcomer iceè tgm (who may or may not be J Hus’s sister) add to its vibrancy, but there’s definitely a sense that you’re hearing a more grown-up J Hus across the record.

This week has also given us gothic techno from Aquarian, a dreamy second album from Okay Kaya, and a star-studded soundtrack to The Turning, which features original music from Courtney Love, Mitski, Kali Uchis, Alice Glass, and more. Take a listen below.