Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick and Gilles Peterson reunite for their second official project adorned with the STR4TA moniker, which successfully expands the musical palette offered on last year’s debut outing.
Read moreLoyle Carner Speaks His Truth in Convincing Fashion with Powerful ‘hugo’ | Album Review
There is truth here in abundance and it is a testament to the ability of people to be able to make progress in a world designed to fail them at almost every turn.
Read moreSay She She Play It Steady and Safe on Auspicious Debut ‘Prism’ | Album Review
Compared to the singles that preceded it, the trio’s debut album feels as if it has had the edges rounded off it—the grit and spikiness of the singles replaced by smoothed-out production and safer songwriting.
Read moreBjörk Digs Deep on Compelling and Challenging ‘Fossora’ | Album Review
Always interesting, but sometimes not especially pleasing to the ear, Björk’s tenth studio affair offers moments of beauty throughout coupled with songs that compromise the album’s overall cohesion.
Read moreGabriels Combine Heavenly Sounds with Stately Substance on Debut Album ‘Angels & Queens – Part 1’ | Album Review
The trio’s debut album clocks in at a sparse 27 minutes, but those minutes pack a punch far greater than you might expect.
Read moreLewis Taylor Returns with Feelings in Abundance on Sublime, Soul-Searching ‘NUMB’ | Album Review
‘NUMB’ is the sound of a man feeling his way back into his musical life amidst uncertainty and reticence, but it is a wholly compelling listen.
Read moreTreasure Trove of Rare Recordings Reilluminates Charles Stepney’s Musical Vision on ‘Step on Step’ | Album Review
This intimate album is a fabulous representation of Charles Stepney’s musical talents and a fitting tribute to the man behind the work.
Read moreKokoroko Deliver More Than Enough Musical Magic on Debut Album ‘Could We Be More’ | Album Review
The London-based, female-led group embody that strength via a generally positive outlook on life, which is reflected in the irrepressible joy that flows through the album.
Read moreObongjayar’s Vocal Versatility and Musical Adventurism Thrive Throughout ‘Some Nights I Dream Of Doors’ | Album Review
On his debut album, Obongjayar’s voice is a constantly shifting tool that he utilizes in different ways across and within songs.
Read moreLydia Persaud Endears and Enchants on Mellifluous ‘Moody31’ | Album Review
‘Moody31’ brings Persaud’s talents sharply into view and makes her one to look and listen out for intently.
Read moreSAULT Engage the Soul Once Again on Imaginative, Orchestral ‘Air’ | Album Review
Though slightly less brilliant than previous SAULT endeavors, ‘Air’ represents another string to the bow of a dazzlingly dynamic group and forms a fanfare for Inflo, a man of uncommon talents.
Read moreAlabaster dePlume Strikes ‘GOLD’ with His Distinctive Musical Voice | Album Review
Otherwise known as Angus Fairbairn, dePlume has produced an album that is as strikingly unconventional as his stage name.
Read moreTanika Charles Refines Her Resplendent Sound on ‘Papillon de Nuit: The Night Butterfly’ | Album Review
Expanding beyond the musical template of her first two albums, Charles’ terrific third LP contains subtle shades and variations of soul music that further expand her musical remit.
Read moreEgo Ella May’s Lyrical Candor and Vocal Charms Coalesce for Absorbing ‘FIELDNOTES PT II’ | EP Review
May’s latest extended play is designed to follow the life cycle of the artist’s love life, re-treading the ups, downs and the seemingly all-too predictable demises of her relationships.
Read moreScrimshire Embraces a Powerful Humility and Humanity on ‘Nothing Feels Like Everything’ | Album Review
Scrimshire’s sixth studio affair finds him grappling with the state of the world over the last 18 months in ways that are new to his canon.
Read moreEgo Ella May Offers a Poignant Peek Into Her Conscience with Intimate and Inspired ‘FIELDNOTES’ EP | Review
Artwork: Jelani Pomell
These four songs confirm what a talent Ego Ella May is and act as an appetizer for whatever may come next.
Read moreYebba Embodies Substance and Style in Equal Measure on Deeply Affecting Debut ‘Dawn’ | Album Review
Despite a handful of top-notch guest slots, there is no doubting whose party this is—Yebba’s voice dominates proceedings from beginning to end.
Read moreLady Blackbird Juxtaposes Grace with Gravitas on Elegantly Evocative Debut ‘Black Acid Soul’ | Album Review
Across Lady Blackbird’s enchanting inaugural affair, Deron Johnson’s sparkling piano and a handful of other fine musicians weave a sparse musical backdrop for her to perform the songs against.
Read moreLittle Simz’s Power of Expression Is Beautiful to Behold on Soul-Affirming ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ | Album Review
Simz and producer Inflo (with select other helpers) have hit the jackpot here (again) with her fourth studio album, as it astounds in its musical palette and lyrical dexterity.
Read moreCleo Sol’s Musical Vision Comes to Glorious Fruition on Triumphant ‘Mother’ | Album Review
While the exact machinations of their partnership are shrouded in mystery, Cleo Sol and producer Inflo have created an album of sublime melodies and instrumentation.
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