If this truly is a full portrait of the artist, then it reveals an artist freed from the shackles of following anyone else’s imprint for her career. Freedom looks good on Lianne La Havas.
Read moreArt Blakey & The Jazz Messengers’ Unearthed ‘Just Coolin’’ Elevates the Ensemble’s Untouchable Legacy | Album Review
While never eclipsing the era-defining ‘Moanin,’’ this previously shelved album offers further testament to what may be hard bop’s finest group doing what they do best.
Read moreEgo Ella May Embodies the Healing Power of Music on Dynamic Debut ‘Honey For Wounds’ | Album Review
The South Londoner’s debut is revealing of a multi-faceted force to be reckoned with. Not at some point in the future, but right now.
Read moreSAULT’s Powerful ‘Untitled (Black Is)’ Embodies the Soul, Spirit & Sanctity of Revolution | Album Review
The titles on SAULT’s ‘Untitled (Black Is)’ reveal the narrative at play and the scope of its ambitions, fully realized through a dazzling distillation of the constituent elements of soul and hip-hop.
Read moreMoses Sumney Expands and Emboldens His Creative Scope with ‘græ’ | Album Review
The ‘græ’ of the title is a nod to the in-between states that Sumney exists in and his resolute refusal to be put into a box of anyone’s making.
Read moreNick Hakim Captivates and Confounds on ‘WILL THIS MAKE ME GOOD’ | Album Review
Hakim’s second studio affair contains a few standout compositions, but relative to its precursor (2017’s debut LP ‘Green Twins’), far fewer memorable melodies that stay with the listener after the album has finished.
Read moreTom Misch & Yussef Dayes Meld Their Masterful Musicianship on Winsome ‘What Kinda Music’ | Album Review
‘What Kinda Music’ showcases the best of the duo’s respective worlds and is further evidence in itself of a British music scene that bristles with talent and moves fluidly between many genres.
Read moreKandace Springs’ ‘The Women Who Raised Me’ Is The Aural Antidote We Need Right Now | Album Review
What better antidote to the increasing insanity of our world than Springs’ set of great cover songs, which she sings brilliantly with panache and style.
Read moreChildish Gambino’s Genius Manifests in Multiple Forms on Enthralling ‘3.15.20’ | Album Review
Though there may be a lull at the midway point of the album, the rest is an endlessly interesting, shape-shifting beast where nothing stays still for too long.
Read moreMichael Kiwanuka Imbues Glorious, Gripping ‘KIWANUKA’ with a Fierce Sense of His Musical Identity | Album Review
Kiwanuka’s third studio affair is both urgent and immediate for the moment, but timelessly classic at the same time—it is triumphant.
Read moreHannah Williams & The Affirmations Scale Even Greater Musical Heights with ’50 Foot Woman’ | Album Review
The dynamics between the band’s versatility, Williams’ awe-inspiring voice, and the stellar songwriting result in a terrific album that deserves the praise inevitably coming its way.
Read moreP.P. Arnold’s Majestic Voice Soars Once Again on ‘The New Adventures Of… P.P. Arnold’ | Album Review
P.P. Arnold & Steve Cradock’s musical partnership, forged over 25 years, engenders a trust between them that shines throughout the album.
Read moreRaphael Saadiq’s ‘Jimmy Lee’ Is a Powerful Soliloquy for Our Troubled Times | Album Review
On his fifth studio affair, Saadiq freewheels, offering up a variation in tone and style that has not been readily displayed on his past solo ventures.
Read morePrince’s ‘Originals’ Encapsulates the Expanse of His Musical Genius | Album Review
‘Originals’ reinforces the Purple One’s reputation as not just the most prolific, but also as the greatest all-around artist of his generation, hands down. Not that we needed to be reminded.
Read moreJordan Rakei Stretches His Sound to Thrilling Heights on Immersive, Inspired ‘Origin’ | Album Review
Rakei’s third long player is a record that deserves your time and space to flourish on the best sounding system and format you have.
Read moreSteve Lacy Stretches, Soars & Slays on Dynamic, DIY Debut Album ‘Apollo XXI’ | Album Review
A resolute do-it-yourself atmosphere permeates throughout Lacy’s debut long player and there is a refreshing lack of star-studded buddies crowding the track list.
Read moreFlying Lotus Embraces the Esoteric & Ephemeral on “Flamagra” | Album Review
When the songs are given space to breathe and grow though, there is great beauty to be found on Flying Lotus’ sixth studio album.
Read moreTank and The Bangas’ ‘Green Balloon’ Is An Aural Feast for the Ears | Album Review
‘Green Balloon’ fulfills the promise of the group’s dynamic debut (2013’s ‘Think Tank’), without sacrificing the wit and humanity that sparked so furiously on the preceding affair.
Read moreTanika Charles’ Confidence & Charisma Illuminate ‘The Gumption’ | Review & Interview
What distinguishes ‘The Gumption’ from its precursor is its notably broader palette of sounds and textures, couple with Charles’ growth in songwriting that only adds to her burgeoning reputation.
Read moreDave Triumphs on Magnificent, Meditative Debut Album For The Ages ‘PSYCHODRAMA’ | Album Review
Dave’s excellent debut LP reminds us of the notion that the closest we ever feel to god, is when we are confronted with a great piece of art.
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