Mustafa’s debut album offers an emotionally bold counterpoint to so much of the violent narrative that started with the blues and continued through musical traditions into rap music.
Read moreMARINA’s Artistic Dynamism and Dexterity Radiate on ‘Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land’ | Album Review
A proper journey into the record reveals a union between both halves of Diamandis’ artistic self: the lively diva and the subtle chanteuse.
Read moreSeinabo Sey Delivers a Soothing Sedative for the Soul with Her ‘Sweet Life’ EP | Review
Though slight in length (just 4 tracks lasting barely 12 minutes), Sey manages to convincingly convey a calm that lasts beyond the listening experience.
Read moreWolf Alice’s Versatility and Vitality Coalesce in Glorious Ways on Brilliant ‘Blue Weekend’ | Album Review
Competent, confident and captivating, Wolf Alice’s third LP showcases their penchant and passion for stretching their sound while further solidifying their distinctive musical identity.
Read moreWith Nothing to Prove, Liz Phair’s ‘Soberish’ Nevertheless Proves That Her Songs Are as Enthralling as Ever | Review
Well worth the extended wait, Phair’s seventh album represents the work of an accomplished, confident artist at peace with her place in the world, free to craft the songs she alone wishes to make.
Read moreTexas Elevate Their Penchant for Musical Adventurism and Superior Songcraft with Ravishing ‘Hi’ | Album Review
Texas is in red-hot form on ‘Hi’—ten records in and they’ve lost none of their artistic drive or technical proficiency that assisted in setting them apart from the crowd back in 1989.
Read moreSons of Kemet Deliver an Inspired and Incisive Musical Statement with ‘Black to the Future’ | Album Review
The group’s fourth studio affair pushes slightly further into the collective musical conscience of music fans beyond the boundaries of jazz, courtesy of its exceptionally well-judged guest spots.
Read moreRóisín Murphy & Richard Barratt’s Symbiotic Musical Vision Radiates on Transformative ‘Crooked Machine’ | Album Review
Every track on the album resides somewhere between divine and unique, while many of the reimagined compositions are just as captivating here as in their original forms.
Read moreMorcheeba Push Their Sterling Sound Forward on Enthralling, Elegantly Crafted ‘Blackest Blue’ | Album Review
An album meant to be experienced in its entirety, Morcheeba’s tenth studio affair finds Skye Edwards & Ross Godfrey elevating their respective lyrical, vocal and musical strengths to wondrous effect.
Read moreMara TK Crafts Sublime Soliloquies Steeped in Soul on Debut Solo Album ‘Bad Meditation’ | Album Review
‘Bad Meditation’ bears fruit in its soulful approach and the eschewing of the more electronic framework that the final Electric Wire Hustle album used.
Read moreJordan Rakei Assembles an Inspired Cast of Contributors for Latest ‘Late Night Tales’ Adventure | Album Review
Among the recent work of the artists Rakei has selected lurk some exclusive tracks that feature him and they are strong additions to the listening experience overall.
Read moreLondon Grammar Reflect and Recalibrate on Soul-Affirming ‘Californian Soil’ | Album Review
The trio’s third studio affair finds Hannah Reid squarely positioned as the central embodiment of the group’s ethos, her voice more empowered and forthcoming than ever before.
Read moreLana Del Rey’s Candid Ruminations Leave a Lingering Impression on ‘Chemtrails Over The Country Club’ | Album Review
With her seventh studio affair, Del Rey exudes a heightened empathy in exploring the complexities of loss and love, while continuing to solidify her songwriting prowess.
Read moreFloating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra Unite for Immersive, Illuminating Experience with ‘Promises’ | Album Review
Ostensibly a single piece of music that lasts 46 minutes, ‘Promises’ is split into nine beautiful “movements” that differ subtly, but decisively in character.
Read moreArmand Hammer & The Alchemist Unite for an Impressive & Inspired Musical Journey with ‘Haram’ | Album Review
Photo: Alexander Richter
‘Haram’ is another chapter in the increasingly impressive legacies of both Armand Hammer and The Alchemist, as they try new things as artists, but still remain true to their artistic identities.
Read moreSTR4TA Bring Brit Funk Back to the Forefront with Rhythmically Resplendent ‘Aspects’ | Album Review
With ‘Aspects,’ Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick & Gilles Peterson provide not just a time capsule to days gone by, but also a hint to a future more funk-filled than you may have imagined.
Read moreJon Batiste Delivers Infectious Slice of Uplifting Soul with 'WE ARE' | Album Review
Batiste’s eighth studio album gathers the markers of Black music into a musical palette that is delivered with gusto and deep joy.
Read moreNitin Sawhney Examines the Complexities & Crises of British Identity on Stunningly Beautiful ‘Immigrants’ | Album Review
‘Immigrants’ is everything a great album can be and its creator will invariably be rewarded with accolades as a result, though engaging listeners’ minds and hearts may be its greatest feat.
Read moreSananda Maitreya Conjures His Singular, Stirring Songcraft Once Again on Expansive ‘Pandora’s PlayHouse’ | Album Review
Part of the reason that Maitreya’s career has been so rewarding for his loyal fans is that he doesn’t have to play by any preset rules, and his twelfth studio affair offers ample evidence of this.
Read moreMyles Sanko Adapts His Sound to Rewarding Effect on ‘Memories Of Love’ | Album Review
Sanko’s fourth studio album finds the singer-songwriter moving, musically, in a slightly different direction.
Read more