Music

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

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

CLEMENTINE WAS RIGHT

Lightning & Regret

The Blue Turn

Clementine Was Right is the full-band recording project of poet and fiction writer Mike Young. Though CWR was established in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Young has found himself bouncing around the country and currently resides in Denver, Colorado. On the debut album Lightning & Regret, Young utilizes his poetry and fiction skills to tell beautiful stories about everyday American life. Though his storytelling is the heart of the project, Young's backing band helps create a hazy, dreamy atmosphere that pairs well with his anthemic heartland choruses. Lightning & Regret is a cozy “bootgaze” country-rock album full of literary value. CWR’s sound is like a warm blanket wrapping around you and Young’s lyrics are the bedtime story you listen to while tucked in. - Russ Finn

GHOST TOWN REMEDY

Dry Spell

Never Nude Records

Since 2019, Nashville power-pop geekrockers Ghost Town Remedy have been teasing their debut album by releasing catchy, hook-filled singles every few months. Finally, Dry Spell sees the light of day both digitally and on physical media via their own DIY label Never Nude Records. Ghost Town Remedy have a knack for shredding and having fun, which is evident across their goofy pop-punk songs about tacos, video games, and hangovers. Don’t write off GTR as a joke though - Dry Spell has moments of sweetness and sincerity, especially on tracks like “A Lesson in Shapeshifting,” a song about singer/guitarist T.J. Maher’s late brother. If you like the sincerity and style of early Weezer, Ghost Town Remedy’s nerdy and fun debut is absolutely worth your time. - Russ Finn

FEATHERPOCKET

Featherpocket

Cool Weekends

Though Featherpocket, the self-titled debut album from the Portland, Oregon, country-folk band was released in 2019, it’s so under the radar and so good that I had to write a review. Stylistically, the album doesn’t do much to stray away from established musical traditions as it's full of the acoustics, lap steels, banjos, and twang you can expect to find in traditional country music. Don’t let the traditional elements turn you away though - Featherpocket absolutely kills at what they are doing. Please listen to the song “Lord Forgive Me” and you will know what I mean; then please listen to their whole album. What the band lacks in sonic originality, it more than makes up for with the know-how to write perfect country songs. - Russ Finn

MIKE POSNER

Operation: Wake Up

Monster Mountain Records

The 32 year-old “aging artist” - who has admitted to taking a break years ago due to losing himself to fame - seems to be falling back into old traps and vices according to his surprise release Operation: Wake Up, a hip-hop opera that seeks to normalize Posner as a simple man dealing with the aftermath of a break-up (but subtly reminds us he can still rent a mansion to party with his Hollywood friends). The jazz-hop influenced record is far from perfect but Posner’s choice of recording in his folks’ basement as opposed to the glitz and glamour of an expensive studio was admirable; having said this, his attempt at going off the beaten path of commercialism failed. Posner clearly does not want to alienate his fan base and take outrageous risks - he graciously gives us a warning at the beginning of the album, almost as if he wants us to forgive him before we press play. Ironically enough, the most commercial and mostly vocal-free tracks are the only ones worth giving a second listen to. While the effort is appreciated, Operation: Wake Up comes off as a mask that Posner is still not ready to remove. - Freddie Bourne

Blues with Bragin

ELIZA NEALS

Black Crow Moan

E-H Records

Detroit-based blues powerhouse Eliza Neals returns with Black Crow Moan which kicks off with “Don’t Judge the Blues.” Mike Puwal’s heavy guitar sets the tone well for the album. “Why You Ooglin' Me” offers more phenomenal guitar playing from Puwal as Neals sings about a man who can’t keep his eyes off her. A guest appearance from Joe Louis Walker on “The Devil Don’t Love You” offers some funky guitar at the beginning that fits well with the mood of the song and the organ from Bruce Bears adds a nice touch.

Neals’ melancholy keyboard playing on “Watch Me Fly” offers a nice contrast to the lyrics about rising to your feet after a setback. The top-notch guitar playing from Howard Glazer soars throughout the song. The guitar masterclass from Glazer continues with “River is Rising.” “Run Sugar Run” features excellent drumming from Jeffrey “Shakey” Fowlkes. Walker returns on the title track with guitar reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Keyboard playing from Neals balances nicely with stellar guitar playing from Derek St. Holmes on “Never Stray.” The album closes with “Hey, Take Your Pants Off,” a love song. For more info, visit elizaneals.com. - Paul Bragin