With just how long it feels like Steve Lacy’s name has been in the liner notes of tastemaker artists across a wide span of genres, it’s incredible that he’s still only 24 years old. A member of California R&B and funk collective The Internet since his late teens, he’s since crossed over with acts like … Continue reading Steve Lacy – Gemini Rights
Funk
Lizzo – Special
It truly doesn’t feel like we’ve been waiting nearly 3 and a half years in between Lizzo projects. Ever since breaking through to the mainstream after the public finally discovered her catalogue of charming, meme-able and empowering pop-rap chaos, she’s been a nearly omnipresent cultural force. Breaking through to acting, appearing on scores of reality … Continue reading Lizzo – Special
Harry Styles – Harry’s House
With a monster debut that could possibly hold up as the year’s biggest, the increasingly genre-fluid and universally appealing Harry Styles’ third album comes in the wake of his cementing himself as the perceived alternative, rock-leaning and visually adventurous pop star to watch with 2019’s Fine Line. While many have justifiably accused Styles’ work to … Continue reading Harry Styles – Harry’s House
Silk Sonic – An Evening With Silk Sonic
What do you get when you combine one of the music industry’s most reliable hitmaking machines with a golden voice and an underrated and versatile rising star brimming with charisma? One of the year’s most anticipated projects that still somehow managed to exceed expectations. Give the credit to funk legend Bootsy Collins for creating this … Continue reading Silk Sonic – An Evening With Silk Sonic
Zara Larsson – Poster Girl
Though without the bevy of global smash hits attached this time, Swedish pop phenom Zara Larsson returns for the first time in four years with her third studio album. Still only 23 years of age, Larsson’s last project, So Good, certainly came equipped with great pop tunes but suffered from an overall lack of identity … Continue reading Zara Larsson – Poster Girl
Arlo Parks – Collapsed In Sunbeams
20-year-old singer-songwriter and poet Arlo Parks has been attracting critical attention in her home country of the UK for a couple years now, and she’s managed to bring that energy across the Atlantic just in time for her debut studio album. With a deeply soulful sound drawing influences from funk and jazz yet recorded in … Continue reading Arlo Parks – Collapsed In Sunbeams
Omar Apollo – Apolonio
Genre-defying singer and guitarist Omar Apollo has recently been making waves and growing his profile through collaborations with people like Kenny Beats and Joji, so now would be the perfect time to unleash his debut album. While Apollo’s artistry has never truly shone through on his collaborations, often sounding a bit like an off-brand Frank … Continue reading Omar Apollo – Apolonio
Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 3
A musical prodigy and the disciple of both Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock, multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier has made a lasting impression on many musicians due to his unparalleled technical skill and understanding of music theory. The third installment in his Djesse series comes loaded with quite a few interesting guests, but not even they can … Continue reading Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 3
Thundercat – It Is What It Is
I’m glad that enough people have delayed their albums that I actually get to talk about someone like Thundercat on this blog – the jazz bass virtuoso is one of the most incredible musicians working right now on a technical level and has done more than his fair share of taking good albums and making … Continue reading Thundercat – It Is What It Is
Childish Gambino – 3.15.20
After a somewhat confusing rollout involving a mysterious website that could only have come from the mind of the eccentric and boundlessly creative Renaissance man that is Childish Gambino, the “single-track opus” 3.15.20 has finally arrived on streaming services and it’s just as weird as you might expect – though not always in the best of ways. … Continue reading Childish Gambino – 3.15.20
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 