This week, DJ Khaled, Fantasia and more drop new records.
We've got music that will make you move and get you ready for to turn up on the weekend. First we've got DJ Khaled's latest, Major Key. With all his famous friends, you know he'll be bringing in the heat with that one. Fantasia is back with her fifth record, The Definition Of... while Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings release the soundtrack to the documentary, Miss Sharon Jones!. Body of Light take you into the inner depth of electronica with Let Me Go. And finally Jason Derulo is releasing his chart-toppers on Platinum Hits.
Find out more about this week's releases below.
'Major Key' - DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled has proven time and time again. When you use his beats, it's bound to be a hit. So for his ninth album, Major Key, the producer and DJ didn't hold back on the his heavyweight collaborations. And considering he's worked with everyone from Kanye West to John Legend, Major Key will surely be filled tons of familiar voices. While his collab with Drake on the album's lead single, "For Free," is highly rotating on radio, it's his work with Future and Jay Z on "I Got the Keys" that really had an impact, especially when the visual dropped. Meanwhile, he joins forces with Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, August Alsina, Jeremih, Future and Rick Ross on the slower-paced "Do You Mind" -- a tune that shows the softer side of the otherwise trap beat maker. Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean and Betty Wright lend their vocals to the hard-hitting "Holy Key." Looks like DJ Khaled's got another chart-topping LP on his hands.
'The Definition Of..." - Fantasia
While Fantasia took a little break from her own music to be in After Midnight on Broadway, she went back into the studio after that stint to work on the follow-up to 2013's Side Effects of You. And after working with the likes of Brian Kennedy and R. Kelly, The Definition Of... was born. Although Fantasia has been known for her heart-wrenching ballads, this fifth album has a variety of upbeat tunes that range from the soulful "Lonely Legend" to the pop R&B tune, "No Time for It." She goes cabaret on "Sleeping With the One I Love" while she, along with Aloe Blacc, fights adversity in "Roller Coasters." There's a rejuvenated energy on this record and shows the various sides and sounds of the American Idol winner and reminds us that she's not just the one with the slow jams.
'Miss Sharon Jones!' Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
Who said you need to a Top 40 hit to make it to the big time. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings have been heating up the stage since the early 90s. And while they might not have the same mainstream success as the ones soaring up the charts, the soul band have been playing to sold out crowds all over the world. And today we get to recount those great music moments with the soundtrack to Miss Sharon Jones!, a documentary looking at the frontwoman's career as well as her battle with cancer. The LP features the band's classic tunes and a new track, "I'm Still Here" -- an empowering song where Sharon tells all the haters that nothing will stop her from putting talents out there.
'Let Me Go' - Body of Light
Brothers Alex and Andrew Jarson, better known as Body of Light, are back with their latest body of work, Let Me Go. Avoiding the strictly synth-pop label, they create soundscapes that have an 80s nu wave feel but are stretched out to create more of sonic environment for you to get lost in. Songs like "Tremble" and "Holding You" are great examples of this. "Moving Slowly" will get your heart thumping with the continuous layering of rhythms while "Cold Gesture" will throw you into the middle of a European disco. If you want to get away from it all and immerse yourself into another world, Let Me Go may be the album for you.
'Platinum Hits' - Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo has been dropping videos for some new songs like "If It Ain't Love" and "Naked." However the R&B popstar has released a compilation of his biggest hits today. Appropriately titled Platinum Hits, the 12-track record features the his chart-toppers from his 2010 self-titled debut to his 2015 album, Everything is 4 including "Whatcha Say" (featuring Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek" sample), "Talk Dirty," his collab with 2 Chainz and "Want You to Want Me." Perhaps the one song to make it on Platinum Hits that may surprise some fans is "Marry Me" since that was the song he did dedicate to former flame Jordin Sparks, who also starred in the video with him. Then again, it is probably one of Jason's sweetest tunes. While the album is full of songs many of us have heard, it does contain one new track, "Kiss the Sky." Produced by Thomas Troelsen and Thomas Eriksen, "Kiss the Sky" is funky jam with lots of energy and will have you moving in no time -- as many Jason Derulo tunes do. "Kiss the Sky" will be appearning in the upcoming Storks soundtrack. While we wait for his next record, this LP is a great addition to any Jason Derulo fan.