Jonny Jukebox, Thelonious Love, Moody Bank$

Emcee Thelonious Love wields a fresh pulse with the unveiling of third LP Love Me Naught. Rumbling baritone verses map the artist’s life story, dissing opposers on standout “Petty” and reciting gratitudes on lo-fi closer “Supper.” Exuding Y2K nostalgia and effortless bravado, Austin R&B/hip-hop artisan Jonny Jukebox brought video games to life before The Super Mario Bros. Movie or Five Nights at Freddy’s with 2016’s Adonis XIV – layering 8-bit jingles over jumping 808s and introspective storylines. Follow-up U > EVERYTHING ELSE solidified with features from Pleasure Venom and Magna Carda. – Kriss Conklin