Aoife O’Donovan Looks for Connection in an ‘Age of Apathy’
Aoife O’Donovan’s Age of Apathy is lushly layered and sophisticated. Its connections to contemporary jazz and even classical music are clearly evident.
Music Reviews
Bonobo Lapses Into Watered-Down Chillout Music on ‘Fragments’
Bonobo’s Fragments represents a rare step back from one of the 21st century’s leading electronic luminaries. It doesn’t bring enough new ideas.
Drummer Johnathon Blake Is ‘Homeward Bound’
Johnathon Blake’s Blue Note debut, Homeward Bound, takes soulful jazz from the past, adds the complexity of the present with intelligence and adventure.
Eliza Gilkyson Dreamily Returns to the West on ‘Songs From the River Wind’
Folkie Eliza Gilkyson’s Songs From the River Wind offers a balm to the human heart during this current plague season of disease and political strife.
Yard Act Revive the Glory Days of Post-Punk on ‘The Overload’
Yard Act funnel anti-capitalist critique of British life through the medium of spoken-word post-punk on The Overload.
Three Veteran Jazz Musicians Pay Tribute to Cecil Taylor By Not Performing His Music
Drummer Andrew Cyrille, bassist William Parker, and flugelhornist Enrico Rava pay tribute to the late Cecil Taylor on ‘2 Blues for Cecil’ minus a piano.
Rockers Rob Aldridge and the Proponents Think ‘Mind Over Manners’ Is the Answer
Whether he’s detailing the negative aspects of life or celebrating the positive ones, Southern rock’s Rob Aldridge asks us to use our minds and our hearts.
The Whitmore Sisters Get Together and Sing ‘Ghost Stories’
Our lives are full of Ghost Stories, and the Whitmore Sisters’ “blood harmonies” are the spirits that express the deep connections we share with each other.
Alex Albrecht’s ‘Resolve’ Is a Moody and Atmospheric Journey
Ambient composer Alex Albrecht combines field recordings with low-key instrumental backdrops on his gorgeous new album, Resolve.
Lord Nelson’s ‘Transmission’ Reveals the Power and Beauty of Rock Played at a Loud Volumes
Lord Nelson’s bark may not be worse than their bite—their bark is their bite. They alert you to the power and glory of loud rock ‘n’ roll.
Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra Makes ‘Good Time Music’ Beyond Jazz
The second in a series of four, Good Time Music finds Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra having fun with music that makes you feel great.