Dâm-Funk’s Endless Quest for the Perfect Groove
Using old-school analog tech, Dâm-Funk is using his unique ear for a deeply-felt funk groove to give us a hint at what dance music’s dirty future might be.
electrosoul
PM Picks: The Best New Songs – 1 June 2021
PopMatters Picks playlist features the best new songs. Today, we feature Kara Connolly, Hannah Slavin, LiAurora, Christopher Paul Stelling, and Attacca Quartet.
The Ever-Evolving Georgia Anne Muldrow’s ‘VWETO III’
Georgia Anne Muldrow’s VWETO III is a 17-track clinic on creating rhythmic frameworks that wow you with their complexity and propel you into movement.
Rochelle Jordan Is Pouring Her Heart Out Until There’s Nothing Left
Electrosoul’s Rochelle Jordan possesses a deep love for ’90s dance and R&B. She returns after a hiatus to deliver a record of powerful influences and seductive charm and tells us her story.
Norway’s Jimmy Smash Are Definitely Not “Misguided”
On their latest song “Misguided”, Jimmy Smash give us a funky little soul-pop number with chill vibes and an instantly memorable chorus.
Rochelle Jordan’s ‘Play with the Changes’ Is a Brilliant Primer on Dance Music
Rochelle Jordan’s Play with the Changes is a masterpiece of club beats, deep hooks, and sweet vocals. She brings warmth and passion to icy synths and beats.
Trip Hop Veterans Morcheeba Are As Vital As Ever on ‘Blackest Blue’
Morcheeba’s Blackest Blue is fresh and stunning, the songs some of the most vital and innovative in the outfit’s 25 years. The LP is sophisticated and elegant but gritty, like funky, bluesy Deco.
serpentwithfeet Celebrates Black Queer Love with the Emotionally Naked DEACON
Part of why serpentwithfeet’s DEACON is so remarkable – aside from its obvious musical merits – is that it’s a rare record that highlights Black queer love.
Nubiyan Twist’s ‘Freedom Fables’ Is a Jazzy Cosmopolitan Celebration
Nubiyan Twist’s Freedom Fables maintains a sense of fun and of engagement among the ensemble and with their invisible audience, that’s as important as the high quality sonics.
Smerz’s ‘Believers’ Is a Wild, Uneven Ride Through Trance, Hip-Hop, and Classical
Lyrically and sonically, Smerz’s Believer is a bold, risk-taking LP that charts a wild, uneven ride through trance, classical, R&B, and hip-hop.
Rhye’s ‘Home’ Is Ambitious in Approach
Home is an ambitious effort and contains some of the most exciting music released by Rhye.
The 20 Best R&B/Soul Albums of 2020
In this time of political unrest, racial strife, and pandemic, soul and R&B walked tall and carried a big stick, while also being a much needed balm and source of warmth in 2020.