The music industry has a way of shutting down around Christmas time, but that didn’t stop some of our faves from gifting fans with plenty of new tracks this week.

Near the top of the week, the legendary Redman returned with Muddy Waters Too, a sequel to his epic 1996 album, Muddy Waters. Laced with his customary combination of agile flows and eccentric wit, it’s the follow-up fans have been waiting for — and a little more.

Repping the Zoomers is Ice Spice, who returns with Y2K!: I’m Just a Girl (Deluxe), an update on her Y2K! LP. Like other deluxes, this one comes with a set of new tracks that could be their own separate, self-contained project. The Spice Cabinet is eating good.

Also grubbing are Tyler, The Creator fans. About a month removed from Kendrick’s GNX album taking over the web, Tyler came through with a memorable “Hey Now” remix, serving up some bars that might just make his version your preferred listen, Maybe, maybe not, but it’s dope.

Check out all of those offerings and more for the latest edition of The Listening.

NEW SONGS

Tyler, The Creator, “That Guy”

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Tyler, The Creator unloads a barrage of flexes, quippy wordplay and a much-appreciated shoutout to Drakeo The Ruler as he closes out what’s been a dope late 2024 surge.

MIKE, “Belly 1”

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Any day MIKE drops is a good one, especially when the new tune embodies the sort of meandering precision that makes him so engrossing.

Homixide Gang, “Free Agents”

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Homixide Gang close out 2024 with a track that sounds like a futuristic trap safari.

NLE Choppa, “Still At Home” featuring Yung Bleu)

NLE Choppa took a break from movies and other side quests to unload a new heater with Yung Bleu. Months after “Or What” and “Slut Me Out 2,” it’s a solid closer.

NEW ALBUMS

Redman, ‘Muddy Waters Too’

It’s been a while since he announced the project, but it is what it is: Muddy Waters Too is here, and it’s dope. Here’s to more 50-something spitters showing us how it’s done.

Ice Spice, ‘Y2K!: I’m Just a Girl (Deluxe)’

The title of this one is a little corny, but if you’ve been rocking with Ice Spice, she gives you more reason to with this deluxe.

Kodak Black, ‘Gift for the Streets’’

Kodak Black has been dropping a lot the last year and change, but for his diehard fans, new tracks are always a gift. Check in here for some muddy flows and lowkey examples of technical wizardry.