NEWS4U FEBRUARY 2021 | MUSIC REVIEWS
JAZMINE SULLIVAN Heaux Tales RCA Records This R&B singer has been underrated for years and we haven’t been blessed with new music since 2015. But we are so lucky she has returned. “Pick Up Your Feelings” is an empowering reminder to women that they can be strong on their own after a betrayal: “New phone (who is this?)/ Brand new, like the whip/ Rack it up, no assist/ Main bitch I ain't average." Ari Lennox also adds some major vibes to the songs “Ai’s Tale” and “On It.” I love two talented women. But really, the whole album is about featuring incredible women, including Rashida Northington in “Rashida’s Tale,” Amanda Henderson in “Amanda’s Tale,” and “Precious’ Tale” featuring Precious Daughtry. It’s a true testament of friendship and I love this original idea. “Put It Down” is a playful, sexy song, with lyrics like, “He live with his momma but I treat him like a king.” And if you want a good, ugly cry, play “Lost One.” Ideally under blankets on a bleak day. Sullivan shows an incredible range here and if we have to wait another six years for more music, I know it will be worth it. - Marisa Patwa
MORGAN WALLEN Dangerous: The Double Album Big Loud/ Republic Records With Morgan Wallen’s second studio album he is getting a chance to redeem himself. Last fall, the up-and-coming country singer was booted from his SNL musical guest spot after it went viral that he had been partying without a mask and not taking safety precautions seriously during the pandemic. And while he apologized and took some time off, he’s now back and proving that while he may still have some growing up to do, his vocals are quite mature. On the flipside, “Country Ass Sh*t" proves he still has a fun and youthful side. The true standout is “Only Thing That’s Gone” with Chris Stapleton. The combination of the newcomer and the singer who's been pretty steady in the country music scene for years, was a welcome surprise. My personal favorite, though, is “Neon Eyes.” You can feel the ache for love in his voice. I also love the cheeky lyrics, “Once you love a cowboy you’ll never be the same.” And for some good drinking songs, “Whiskey’d My Way” and “Your Bartender” might just do the trick. While I'm not a die-hard country fan, as someone who is just starting to listen and appreciate twangy tunes, Wallen is a great introduction to the genre. This album is good, pure and simple. I love a glow up. - Marisa Patwa
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KID CUDI Man On The Moon III: The Chosen Republic Records After such a hard year, we finally got the present we deserved with new music from rapper Kid Cudi. I have been a fan of his intoxicating vocals, hypnotic beats and gorgeous lyrics for over 10 years now, starting with being a daydreaming girl in high school. And he delivers yet again with his seventh studio release featuring 18 incredible tracks. The album has a fitting theme with the artist in an internal battle with Mr. Rager, his alter ego. In one of the opening tracks, “Tequila Shots,” he immediately pours his heart out to us with raw lyrics like, “I never thought I would be back here bleeding.” He also gets romantic with Phoebe Bridgers on “Lovin’ Me.” Their two soft and soothing vocals give us a major sugar rush. For a catchy bop for the ride up to your friend’s crib - after quarantine, of course - pull up “Rockstar Knights” with Trippie Red on the aux (do those exist anymore?). “The Void” is a heartbreaker, “She Knows This” has a hot hook and “Show Out” with Skepta and Pop Smoke is just a straight banger. Honestly, there isn’t one song on this album - his fifth top 10, by the way that isn’t fire. All Hail “KING” Cudi. - Marisa Patwa
FOUR TET Parallel Text Records The Grammy-nominated UK electronic musician graced us with a holiday present on Christmas day: his 11th studio album. This 10-track adventure opens with a daze of highs and lows over the course of the 27 minute "Parallel 1," sounding at first like a meditation exercise before diving into pulsing synth, eerie repetition of back-and-forth chimes, moments of video game fuzz, and robotic, calculated ambience that Brian Eno would be proud of. Intertwined with voicemails and other found sounds, haunting vocal hums and hymns, and ditzy space bytes, Parallel stays true to Four Tet's form of experimental music, while plunging into the soft dashes of jungle and HI-NRG influences. But it also manages to keep pace to a prototypical deep-house percussion, producing circuit-bending bird echoes before concluding with an unanticipated freeform solo piano improvisation. The cover of the project says it all: Parallel is quite a work of art made up with splatters of different genres to create a first-class sound collage that's ready to be up for display. - Freddie Bourne
