Music

SEPTEMBER MUSIC REVIEWS

CHECK OUT CHECK OUT THESE HONEST THESE HONEST REVIEWS OF SOME REVIEWS OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST OF THE HOTTEST NEW ALBUMS INNEW ALBUMS IN MUSIC!MUSIC

BEYONCÉ

Renaissance

Parkwood Entertainment/ Columbia Records

Queen Bee is infusing her BeyHive with golden honey once again. Her seventh studio album is her first solo release since her surprise Lemonade drop in 2016. Her latest is the start to a new trilogy, and if this is twilight, I’m already hyped for new moon. She has come under some heat though, removing an interpolation of Kelis' “Milkshake" from the Pharrell-produced “Energy.” This was not the only song she had to tweak on the album. She also had to take out the word “spaz” from her song “Heated” after getting called out for using ableist language. She made both changes with grace and I’ll pardon her royal highness. Especially considering the rest of her album is layered like honey with Afrobeats, ballroom, funk, disco, pop, house, hip-hop and R&B. It's a dance party that gets you buzzing without a drop of liquor. Lead single “Break My Soul” is an anthem that gives you the confidence to stand up for yourself and go after what you want. Listen to all 16 tracks and you won’t have just lived through a renaissance, you’ll be ready to start a revolution - Marisa Patwa

CALVIN HARRIS

Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2

Columbia Records

Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 is a follow-up to Calvin Harris’ 2017 release. The Scottish DJ and record producer is back bringing all of the house vibes set to get you dancing and grooving. Harris is talented with beats but it's the talent he enlists to rap or sing that truly elevates his songs. Dua Lipa’s biting and fun vocals on “Potion” are so addictive, it’s hard not to feel spellbound after a listen or two with lyrics like, “In the whip on a Tuesday night, got the music high/ And you by my side, side/ Top down and the moon is high and the mood is right/And you're by my side, side, yeah (ah, ah)." Pharrell Williams, Halsey and Justin Timberlake pull off the triple-threat on “Stay With Me” that gives you goosebumps and good vibes. Other features include Busta Ryhmes, Snoop Dogg, Swae Lee, Offset, Pusha T, Charlie Puth, 21 Savage, Normani, Latto, Tinashe, and Chlöe. The boogie, soul and electro-funk vibes of the album will have you taking a psychedelic trip. But with the highs comes the lows - most strongly felt after the collective realization Harris would not be as good as he is if it wasn’t for the superstars he surrounds himself with. - Marisa Patwa

LIZZO

Special

Nice Life/Atlantic Records

Lizzo is gifting us with the self-love, body positivity and empowerment we all need again with her fourth studio album. While Lizzo takes the heat and shows us she’s got the sauce in a recent Hot Ones episode, she surprisingly tells host Sean Evans she didn’t even plan to have lead single “About Damn Time” on the album. Let’s all thank her for including the song that sparked thousands of TikTok videos of people lip-synching along to the feelgood, tongue-twisting banger. Her tracks radiate kindness and love for her fans. But just like Queen Bee, Lizzo, too, came under fire for using the word “spaz” in her song “Grrrls.” She also instantly removed it after getting negative feedback from the disabled community. Her voice is just as big as her heart. A few knockouts include “(2 Be Loved) Am I Ready?,” “Naked,” “Breakup Twice” and “Birthday Girl.” There's not a single feature on the album, either, and to be honest, she just doesn't need it. Why mess with perfection? - Marisa Patwa

THE SCORPIONS

Rock Believer

Vertigo Berlin

Rock Believer is the Scorpions’ 19th studio album, and their first new music in seven years. I have to admit, I wasn’t excited to pick it up (hence the 6-month delay in reviewing it). Once a cutting-edge hard rock band in the 70s-80s, the Scorps slipped into redundancy in the 90s-2000s. Even the title Rock Believer feels cheesy and unimaginative. The first few tracks seemed to confirm my apathy, with titles like “Gas in the Tank” and “Roots in my Boots” - nothing remarkable there. But I persisted, and I’m glad I did. Why they would bury the best tracks in the middle of the record is baffling, but what a pleasant surprise! “Shining of your Soul” is brilliantly reminiscent of something off 1979’s “Lovedrive,” with a catchy hook and reggae rhythms. “Seventh Son” hearkens back to “The Zoo,” and “Hot and Cold” shows that despite their age the Scorps can still rock with the best- Matt Alschbach

RYLEY WALKER

So Certain EP

Husky Pants Records

To say Ryley Walker has been busy during the pandemic would be a serious understatement. From starting an independent label to releasing a long-playing album (Course in Fable) and a couple of EPs (Post Work and So Certain), Walker used the shutdown to his creative advantage. The most recent release, So Certain, follows in Walker's evolution of sound begun during the exploratory covers of Dave Matthews' The Lillywhite Sessions. Where earlier releases from Walker mimicked Michael Chapman's or Van Morrison's folkier output, the new releases have more in common with Robert Fripp, Steve Hackett or Adrian Belew. The strongest track from the new EP is the aggressive "Pharaoh's Plastic." Gone are the hushed vocals of Primrose Green released in 2015. Walker attacks his instrument as he attacks the microphone. Catch Walker opening for Dinosaur Jr. in the fall. - Tony Aiken

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Twenty Years of Three Lobed Recordings

Three Lobed Recordings

"I love my label," says Nick Lowe, and I love the Three Lobed Recordings label out of Jamestown, North Carolina. From their Bandcamp description: "Three Lobed Recordings is a boutique record label that specializes all flavors of psychedelia. The label was started in 2000 and is largely operated by cats." I dig cats and I equally dig the cats on this label. Guitarists Steve Gunn, Lee Renaldo, Daniel Bachman, Sir Richard Bishop and the late Jack Rose bring heavy doses of psych to this compilation. 34 tracks in total span the label's love-in beginning in 2000 with Bardo Pond up to the more recent releases from Meg Baird and Mary Lattimore. All proceeds from purchases of the compilation will benefit the Land Loss Prevention Project. What's not to love?- Tony Aiken

PINK DOLPHINS

Anteloper

International Anthem

Chicago's jazz scene is alive and well and currently being documented astutely by the bustling International Anthem label. Anteloper, a duo comprised of Jason Nazary and jaimie branch, are no strangers to Chicago jazz. branch, as a trumpeter, leads the Fly or Die Collective and has worked with bassist William Parker and Exploding Star Orchestra. For Pink Dolphins, Nazary and branch cite Miles Davis and Brazilian tropicália as influences, especially Davis' "Green Dolphin Street" and "Little Church." Joining the Anteloper duo for Pink Dolphins is guitarist Jeff Parker from Tortoise who once again produces and adds additional bass, percussion and keys.- Tony Aiken

STEPHEN MALLINDER

Tick Tick Tick

Dais Records

Coming on the heels of the unexpected death of Richard H. Kirk, co-founder of the seminal post-punk group Cabaret Voltaire fronted by vocalist/bassist Stephen Mallinder, Tick Tick Tick serves as a fitting tribute of sorts to Mallinder's lost comrade. Across nine inventive tracks, all the elements of the Cabs' groundbreaking sound emerge, coalescing into a synth-based industrial funk that recalls landmark releases such as 1983's The Crackdown and 1984's Micro-Phonies. Lyrically, too, Mallinder nods to the good old days, reveling in oblique wordplay - which he delivers in a range of voices via various effects (muffled distortion remains Mal's signature vocal approach). Ultimately, despite the embracing of old habits, so to speak, this collection of heavily-doctored disco feels remarkably fresh, building off of the Cabs' musical legacy rather than blatantly stealing from it. - Johnny Fletcher

BLUES WITH BRAGIN

PATTY TUITE

Hard Case of the Blues

Thread City Productions

A Connecticut-based singer/songwriter influenced by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Bonnie Raitt, Patty Tuite returns with her fourth release, Hard Case of the Blues. The album opens with “Nothin’ But Trouble” featuring a guest appearance from Bobby Rush on harmonica that takes the song to the next level. “I Just Wanna Play” sees Tuite singing about wanting to perform after a long day. Paul Nelson’s guitar work boasts a classic feel from yesteryear. Tuite sings about realizing she’s better off single on “Glad I’m Through With You.” Rico Amero’s superb trumpet solo in the middle of the song showcases his talent beautifully alongside Brooks Milgate’s piano playing. “Diggin’ Up Outta This Hole” sounds like something straight from Bourbon Street in New Orleans as Amero offers both great trumpet playing and background vocals.

“I Am Strong Enough” begins with some funky guitar from Nelson as Tuite sings about wondering if she’s going to make it - and answering in the affirmative. Tuite picks the guitar masterfully on the instrumental tune “My Silent Love.” Tuite sings about a relationship hitting the rocks on “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over,” but not wanting to give up yet. “Goin’ Out To Town Tonight” sees a guest appearance from Ozzie Melendez with a great trombone part. Paul Loranger’s bass playing on “I Want A Lover” sets the intimate mood very well. “Double Down” offers a searing guitar solo from Nelson. For more info, visit PattyTuite.com.- Paul Bragin