Yeule Makes Artful Glitchpop for the AI Era on ‘Softscars’
In weird ways, Yeule’s softscars works as a satisfying slice of artful pop for the Anthropocene that oozes catastrophe and captures a real cultural moment.
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Róisín Murphy Makes a Valiant Attempt at Being a Soul Diva
On Hit Parade, Róisín Murphy takes her sound – a swirling cacophony of electropop, synthpop, and nu-disco – and looks to soul to elevate her music.
Little Dragon Return With Slinky and Assured ‘Slugs of Love’
Drawing from disco, funk, and R&B, Little Dragon’s Slugs of Love is genre-crossing music, achieving an artful balance of danceable tunes and reflective moods.
Jayda G’s ‘Guy’ Is a Touching Tribute to Life, Love, and Loss
Jayda G’s Guy is an admirable and occasionally affecting project that balances both personal vulnerabilities with uplifting and life-affirming music.
Young Fathers Are Back and Getting ‘Heavy Heavy’
Young Fathers declare their awareness of what’s going on but take it a step further. Heavy Heavy urges the audience to do the heavy lifting and “have fun”.
‘Ants From Up There’ Sees Black Country, New Road Thrillingly Solidify Their Unique Vision
The bold sophomore album from the London experimentalists is a singular work rife with ambitious songwriting and sincere, sharply-observed emotions.
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.
Anz’s ‘All Hours’ Embraces Pop Without Losing Her Sonic Range
Anz’s All Hours is one of the most exciting debuts of the year from one of the most thrilling new voices in club music. It’s music for the all-nighters.
Park Hye Jin Is an Electronic Anti-hero on Effortless ‘Before I Die’
Before I Die has a fashionably unfinished quality, something that works in electronic producer Park Hye Jin’s favor. Park makes for an ideal musical antihero.
Jordan Rakei’s Thrilling ‘What We Call Life’ Is Destined to Be a Classic
Jordan Rakei has a gorgeous voice that’s soulful and thrilling, and his latest album What We Call Life is easily one of the best of the year.
The Bug’s ‘Fire’ Is an Incendiary Reflection of a World Ablaze
Legendary bass-worshipper, the Bug crafts 14 earth-shaking tracks reflecting the volatility of our current socio-political landscape for his latest album, Fire.
Hiatus Kaiyote’s ‘Mood Valiant’ Is a Rich and Vibrant Return
Following six turbulent years, Australia’s Hiatus Kaiyote return with their third LP of neo-soul virtuosity, Mood Valiant. It’s effortlessly likable and rich with heart and soul.