I Know the End
Phoebe Bridgers
In her latest release, the final track of her new album Punisher, LA singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers triumphantly kisses an older version of herself. «Bridgers has rocked the skeleton suit several times over the last few months, but now we’re gifted with an entire room of them, hung up neatly with gray hoodies — dripping wet. A child rolls an apple Bridgers’ way; she takes a bite and drops it to the floor as strangers usher her out. She runs during the song’s chaotic crescendo, picking up a guitar to join her band – including drummer Marshall Vore –at an empty stadium. ‘No, I’m not afraid to disappear,’ she sings over swirling instrumentation. ‘The billboard said the end is near.’» (Rolling Stone) Whatever she sings, she has an incredible voice.
Opaque Red, July 2020
Hate for Sale
Pretenders
Hate for Sale is the eleventh album of the British-American band. Singer Chrissie Hynde, with her distinctive voice and style, has been the only permanent band member behind this punky rock group ever since the 1980ies, rejoined by her former drummer Martin Chambers in 1994. Produced by Stephen Street, the typical combination of drums, guitar and bass sound like Chrissie has gone back to basics. «She’s sanded its edges to glide onto adult contemporary radio, and she’s flirted with passing trends, but she’s always centered herself with those ringing guitars. Street gives six strings plenty of room on Hate for Sale. Hynde is back playing rhythm guitar, weaving between the leads of James Walbourne, who also co-wrote the album’s ten songs.» (Pitchfork) Most of the tracks are familiar but have been cleverly remastered.
BMG, July 2020
My Future
Billie Eilish
In this cartoon visualization of her latest song, Billie Eilish brings out her crooner voice to tell us about the future she visualizes for herself – though she does not know where it is going to lead her. She presented ‘My Future’ at the Democratic Convention where she endorsed Joe Biden and encouraged her young fans to vote seeing she is a first-time voter herself. Billie wrote and produced this R&B based ballad together with her brother Finneas O’Conell. It is her first release since the theme song for the new James Bond movie No Time to Die. Having gone through a difficult time, it is encouraging to hear her strike a more positive note here, having somewhat come to terms with the problems of early fame and the fact that it robs her of an ordinary life. (sgs)
Universal, July 2020
Wonderful
Burna Boy
Born in Port Harcourt as Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Burna Boy quickly rose to fame after the release of his first single, Like to Party, in 2012. «His grandfather was Fela Kuti’s first manager, and he appears to be following in that legend’s footsteps, as Fela grafted funk on to conventional Nigerian music to become the country’s biggest international superstar. The result is songs that are intricate but still tricky, in the way African rhythms can be, but there’s a comforting palm wine-y warmth – regardless of his almost perpetual fury or often tedious boasting, Twice as Tall is usually more urbane than urban.» (The Guardian) The spectacular video for ‘Wonderful World’ was shot in Nigeria. Superstar Burna Boy’s fifth studio album, Twice as Tall, from which this track was taken, was produced by Diddy and Mana Burna Bose.
Atlantic, August 2020
Source
Nubya Garcia – ft. Ms Maurice, Cassie Kinoshi, Richie Seivright
Nubya Nyasha Garcia is a British jazz musician, saxophonist, flautist, composer and bandleader. It is a well-known fact that the best of jazz is produced in London these days, and this excellent debut album proves it. Born and raised in North London, Nubya Garcia began playing saxophone at the age of ten. Nine years later, she feels that she has come to accept herself more completely. «There’s that everyday feeling that you get as a Black woman that sometimes people don’t fully see you», she says. «I haven’t always been able to be myself because I’ve been worried about how people will respond to me. But now I feel more empowered—there’s been a really positive movement within myself towards accepting who I am.»
Apple Music, August 2020