TOP 12 HOUSTON ALBUMS
The best thing about Houston’s signature sound is that there isn’t one. Rap continues to be a huge part of the city’s musical makeup. And there are scores of talented lyricists beyond the obvious hitmakers. There are other sounds, too, and artists who are pushing beyond genre norms to create sounds all their own. This year, they battled demons, reflected on loss and championed mental health.
1. ‘Return to Form,’ John Allen Stephens: Stephens, who has worked with several of Houston’s most talented acts, showcased his own skills on this artful, concise album that clocks in at under 30 minutes. The songs detail his addiction to prescription painkillers after a 2016 motorcycle accident and his best friend’s death in 2017 from an overdose. His voice, piercing and flexible, anchors every moment.
2. ‘Chaper 1: The Longing and Chapter 2: The Shedding,’ Madeline The Person : Madeline, who grew up in Bellaire, was signed by Warner Records after being discovered on TikTok. But her songs belie the app’s fleeting nature. They’re painful, impactful confessionals, fueled by everything from the death of her father to past relationships. But she finds beauty in those difficult moments. And she could be the city’s next huge star.
3. ‘The Mill Prep,’ Bigg Fatts : Rapper Bigg Fatts’ album titles are inspired by food, a play on his size and his love of eating. “The Mill Prep,” a riff on the phrase “meal prep,” is indeed a feast, the best showcase to date of his persona and potential. The songs veer from silly to serious, and it’s to Fatts’ credit that the album never loses momentum.
4. ‘She a Bad One,’ Robyn Tha Bank: Humor and wit are the tentpoles of this vibrant EP, the creation of Houston native Robyn Troup. Standout single “Don’t Stop Groovin’ ” references ’90s group Deee-Lite, and the video features a pregnant Troup and two dancers in Third Ward and EaDo. Every song, in fact, radiates with Troup’s superstar charisma. She won the My Grammy Moment contest in 2007, sang onstage with Justin Timberlake and recorded a cover of AC/DC’s “Back in Black” with Carlos Santana and Nas.
5. ‘Corner Store Legend,’ Rob Gullatte: Gullatte, who has been recording for almost a decade, has the focus and fire of a newbie on “Corner Store Legend.” The title track alone, which opens the album, builds beautifully and heralds the arrival of a true force. Standout “Military Minded” has the vibe of a radio hit. And Gullatte does it all with no features or collaborations. It’s his stage alone to shine on.
6. ‘Fly Behavior,’ SuperFly Mixx: This ambitious project from Marcus Thompson, who records as SuperFly Mixx, features plenty of bops. (“Stop Playing Wit’ Me” is one.) But it’s really a concept album about mental health, interspersed with a trio of therapy sessions. Thompson muses on family, death and COVID-19 — but the celebratory “Black Boy Joy” ends the album on a joyful note.
7. ‘Manipulated,’ Emily Cole: It’s tough to stand out in a city rife with quirky young pop singers. Cole rises above with a slick, sincere collection of songs she wrote and produced. Her strength is taking everyday, oft-covered subjects and personalizing them, both lyrically and vocally. It makes for a brisk, bright listen.
8. ‘A Place We Used to Be,’ Blossom Aloe: It’s tough to believe this is pop quintet Blossom Aloe’s first album. Every song is beautifully crafted, evoking a sense of dreamy nostalgia. This is the sound of a group of people who were meant to make music together. And that it’s just the beginning makes it all the more exciting.
9. ‘Revival,’ Paul Luna : Luna is bold and brash on this collection of originals that draw inspiration from old-school and Southern rap. He says he’s proud to rep the LGBTQ+ community in a genre that isn’t always welcoming. He’s unapologetic on standouts “Flawless” and “No Vaseline.” But his creativity and charisma deserve recognition beyond the labels.
10. ‘2,’ Keeper of Atlantis: This solo effort from Ramon Medina, formerly of The Linus Pauling Quartet and The Cryptographers, tackles a myriad of social issues. But it’s also just a trippy listen. The songs are melodic and lyrical, psychedelic and noisy all at once.
11. ‘Cracked, Flawed and Frayed,’ Brightwire: There’s something charmingly unvarnished about folk-rock trio Brightwire. That appeal is nicely capture on this album, a solid showcase for their vocal harmonies and playing skills.
12. ‘Famous Thot,’ ‘Slime Season 4’ and ‘Snako Malfoy,’ Sludge Von: On the strength of sheer ambition alone, rapper Sludge Von ranks for releasing three albums in 2021. “Snako Malfoy” is the most fully realized, and together, they’re a fascinating map of an artist honing in on his sound.