Mavis Staples Comforts and Galvanizes in Pennsylvania
Legendary soul singer Mavis Staples draws on classics, old and new, to deliver her own State of the Union address. Her message is more relevant and urgent than ever.
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Cyril Neville and King Youngblood Serve Up Inspiring Gumbo
This is a big year for Cyril Neville and King Youngblood, a bonus for music fans who appreciate artists who use their talents to speak out and inspire social change.
Jill Scott’s New Music Is As Vibrant As Ever
Jill Scott’s new album fits seamlessly with pop’s retro-futuristic fascination with the 1980s. Her signature mix of poetry, hip-hop, jazz, and soul is as vibrant as ever.
The Olympians Instrumentally Search for a Revival
The Olympians’ In Search of a Revival may be an odd album, but it’s not an unfriendly one. The dozen instrumental tracks offer friendly vibes.
James Hunter Six Get ‘Off the Fence’ and Land on a New Label
These 12 new self-penned tracks demonstrate that the James Hunter Six have found their niche and discovered how to exploit the groove.
The Best Music of 2025/Feature Sub Head/Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Lists/Music/Music Features/PopMatters Picks
The 10 Best Soul/R&B Albums of 2025
In these challenging times, the best soul and R&B albums walked tall and carried a big stick, while also being a much-needed balm and source of warmth.
Sudan Archives’ ‘The BPM’ Delivers Dancefloor-Ready Anthems
Sudan Archives’ The BPM is a high-tech, futuristic odyssey, full of heaving, sweaty, dance-floor-ready anthems. It’s also an intensely human record
keiyaA Finds Strength in Stretching Out on ‘hooke’s law’
Much of hooke’s law is a cry for help from the voice within. keiyaA says she would do anything to see god or find a purpose. Like a spring, she is resilient.
OutKast’s ‘Stankonia’ Uses Mirrors and Oppositions
OutKast’s Stankonia is a diptych that opposes and mirrors the duo; creating a stylistic reverence for an inimitable vision.
Mavis Staples Finds the Beauty and Sadness in Life
Mavis Staples wraps her vast musical experience in honeyed tones. A sweetness comes across even as she sings about war and injustice, as well as joy and happiness.
The Jewish Immigrant Song
Jewish immigrants music-saturated synagogues and rich theater, flavored with humor and lament, were a magical formula for the birth of the American Songbook.
“Captain” Curtis Harding’s Excellent Journey
Curtis Harding’s new album may take a few listens to absorb fully. Once it does, it will yield rewards for fans of retro soul, current soul, and adventurous pop.