Estelle - Shine [HomeSchool/Atlantic]
Deem Estelle the Swiss Army knife of songbirds. On her stateside debut, the London transplant seamlessly morphs her jazzy vocals into British-accented rap flows, even touching reggae (”Magnificient”) and house successfully. Better rounded than Kim Kardashian’s bum, Shine is equally arousing–for ears, that is. -John Kennedy

“Magnificient” by Estelle:

Lyfe Jennings - Lyfe Change [Sony Urban Music/Columbia]

Hushing vocoder-abusing contemporaries, Lyfe’s relatable third album furthers his homegrown charm. Anchored by scratchy but melodic crooning over pseudo-live instrumentation, Lyfe drops messages like a clumsy mailman (peep the wrap-it-up reminder “It’s Real”). His delivery, however, surely hits home. -John Kennedy

“It’s Real” by Lyfe Jennings:

Dizzee Rascal - Maths + English [Definitive Jux]

With our natives sweating ringtones, United Kingdom’s Dizzee Rascal’s formal stateside arrival couldn’t have better timing. DR dazzles with avant-garde “grime” music. Even the eclectic guest list (UGK, Lily Allen) falls back for Rascal’s off-centered creativity and raucous, kickdrum electronica. It’s perfect for thos who prefer vibrating phones -Matt Barone

“Where’s Da G’s” by Dizzee Rascal Feat. UGK: