Each week the These Days staff comes across great music from Chicago artists that we could not provide individual features for. In an effort to keep our readers up to date with more of our recent favorites, the Round Up segment provides quick summaries and additional noteworthy content. Check out our latest picks below and feel free to submit a comment if you feel we missed something. 

Kiraly Payne • Project Z

Okay, you may not have heard of Kiraly Payne before; I know that I hadn’t, but I also know that when he finally came onto my radar, I was floored. He’s this Chicago-based multi-talented hip-hop artist, producer, and sound engineer who you won’t want to sleep on. First of all, go ahead and click play below to hear Kiraly's newest track “Senzu Bean.” The song features the hip-hop classic producer JUSTWILL with KiralyPayneROYAL’s quick, zealous vocals over it. Then if you fuck with what you’ve heard so far, you should definitely go ahead and listen to the full, 5-song EP, Project Z.

Louis The Child • "Phone Died"

We all remember using that excuse; “ma I would've called but my phone died,” whether it was true, or simply a little white lie. Louis Child, the Chicago-born duo, recognizes that struggle; I mean really, it’s the epitome of a millennial problem. Anyway these producer prodigies are preparing to release their new Love Is Alive EP later this month. They also have a plethora of upcoming tour dates, including spots at Chicago’s Spring Awakening in June, so listen up, and he sure to check them out live!

Lou Era • "WristWatch"

A couple of weeks ago Chicago rapper Lou Era came out with a new song that we don’t want you to miss. It’s been a while since he last released a feature track, so we were excited to see it surface. The song is called “WristWatch,” and it was produced by the energetic CashMoneyAP. It features Lou’s vocal diversity and is a solid first track back for the young artist.

Manic Focus (Ft. Late Night Radio, Jennifer Hartswick, & Adam Deitch) • “Stronger”

It’s never truly quiet with Manic Focus, but it has been a little while since the Chicago producer has released a new body of music. Most recently, he came out with this groovin' funk single which marks the first release off of his upcoming new album, Mind Rising. The song focuses on soul vocals and blurs the lines between jazz, soul, hip-hop, and rock while always keeping his signature sound alive. The song also features Late Night Radio, Jennifer Hartswick, and Adam Deitch who together make up this powerful new single. The album is set to release on April 21, so be on the lookout for that soon.

Yung Byrds (Ft. BigBodyFiji & Lil Italy I Glo) • "50 Bandz"

Chicago artist Yung Byrds rolled deep on this one, and it works for him.  In his newest song “50 Bands,” he features LiL iTALY i Glo, and his frequent collaborator BiGBODYFiJi. The eccentric beat by BRENTRAMNO reminds me surprisingly of the Bojack Horseman theme song; as if anyone remembers that jingle. The song overall is an ideal smoke-n-chill track to listen to with your homies on a Friday night. Hit play below and see for yourself.