Funk oozes throughout the vault tracks—nasty, grimy funk too but, Prince being Prince, there is also a smorgasbord of other delights across this expansive edition.
Read morePublic Enemy’s Words & Sounds Remain as Powerful as Ever on ‘What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?’ | Album Review
Bolstered by collaborations with an impressive crew of their hip-hop peers, PE’s new album proves that the messages in Chuck D, Flavor Flav and DJ Lord’s music still pack a potent punch.
Read moreRóisín Murphy’s Musical Magnetism Is Irrefutable on Career Watershed ‘Róisín Machine’ | Album Review
For all of the album’s affection for the past, collaborator Richard Barratt aids Murphy with his exacting production to ensure that the LP remains a modern-day affair.
Read moreBob Mould Rages Against the Faltering American Machine on ‘Blue Hearts’ | Album Review
Photo: Blake Little Photography
Mould’s fourteenth studio affair is deliberately lo-fi, with the drums, bass, and vocals mixed a bit behind his caustic guitar, which is what helps make the album sound like a live show caught on tape.
Read moreSAULT’s ‘Untitled (Rise)’ Is a Sublime, Soul-Affirming Masterpiece of Transcendent Musical Power | Album Review
From the first minute, it is clear that ‘Untitled (Rise)’ is further, unequivocal evidence of the collective’s brilliance.
Read moreDoves Explore the Fragility & Fortitude of the Human Spirit on Brilliant ‘The Universal Want’ | Album Review
The trio’s long awaited fifth studio affair finds the Brothers Williams (Andy and Jez) and frontman Jimi Goodwin in full, unfettered possession of their powers to inspire through song.
Read moreBright Light Bright Light Orchestrates a Radiant, Revelatory Ride Through ‘Fun City’ | Album Review & Interview
“I wanted ‘Fun City’ to reflect everything that I feel about the LGBTQ+ experience—which is celebration, heartache, tragedy, jovial (moments), whimsical, comedy,” Thomas explains.
Read moreNas Solidifies His Elite Status within the Realm of Hip-Hop Royalty on ‘King’s Disease’ | Album Review
For Nas’ longtime fans, his thirteenth studio affair further legitimizes the commonly espoused argument that he remains the greatest rapper of all time.
Read moreJacob Collier Embarks Upon His Most Ambitious & Arresting Adventure to Date with ‘Djesse Vol. 3’
Despite being ironically slumber-obsessed, Jacob Collier’s euphonic fever dream is energetic and wide awake.
Read moreGloria Estefan Reimagines Her Revered Repertoire with Kinetic ‘Brazil305’ | Album Review
The common thread that brings everything together on this outing is Estefan’s passion for Brazilian, Bahian and South American sonic styles.
Read moreArlo McKinley Strikes a Beautiful Balance on Dynamic Solo Debut ‘Die Midwestern’ | Album Review
McKinley understands that great songs land more easily when they're cushioned by musical accoutrements, which is what makes his solo debut album so enjoyable.
Read moreAlanis Morissette Traverses Life’s Vicissitudes with Candor and Compassion on ‘Such Pretty Forks In The Road’ | Album Review
A heady mixture of stories and sonics to tangle with, Morissette’s first album since 2012’s ‘Havoc And Bright Lights’ is her most inward-looking and outwardly forthright effort in years.
Read moreBrandy Embraces Substance Over Artifice, Delivers Watershed Moment with ‘B7’ | Album Review
With her seventh LP, Brandy proves that she has transcended the limitations of chart commerce to enter that rare breed of creatives that appeals to multiple generations of R&B devotees.
Read moreTaylor Swift Conjures Stories Destined to Endear and Endure for Generations to Come on ‘folklore’ | Album Review
The songs contained on ‘folklore’ are beautifully outlined by Swift’s voice, which has always been pleasantly competent, but here it displays a gracefulness and passion never heard before.
Read moreThe Danberrys’ Symbiotic Songcraft Radiates on ‘Shine’ | Album Review
On ‘Shine,’ the two singer-songwriters go beyond solid songs, creating a captivating album that mirrors the work of another famous songwriting duo.
Read moreLianne La Havas Seizes Creative Control on Transcendent Third Album ‘Lianne La Havas’ | Album Review
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 moreS.G. Goodman Merges Nostalgia with Progressive Ideas on Dynamic Debut ‘Old Time Feeling’ | Album Review
Together with producer Jim James (of My Morning Jacket fame), the Kentucky-bred singer-songwriter has crafted a compelling, cohesive set of nuanced ideas and exceptional songs.
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 moreJessie Ware Returns in Impeccable Form with Scintillating ‘What’s Your Pleasure?’ | Album Review
As with Ware’s three albums prior to her fantastic fourth, she casts a wholly singular aural space accessible to everyone—the loyalists, the uninitiated. But now, she’s totally in sync with her power.
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