The podcaster and multi-instrumentalist's third LP is loaded with funkified California pop.
Dante Elephante – Mid-Century Modern Romance
Tag: Soul
Charley Crockett – “I Can Help”
Featuring a twangy organ-laden groove, the country crooner croons taps into his soulful side to bring forth an earnest interpretation of Billy Swan's classic 1974 love song.
Dinner Party – Dinner Party
The self-titled project from the newly formed supergroup illuminates a vibe and cheerfulness only attainable when collaborators are closely bonded by friendship.
Wyatt Waddell on Social Activism and His Summer Protest Anthem “FIGHT!”
The Chicago singer-songwriter talks about recording his fiery new track and the responsibility he feels to speak out and encourage others in the fight against injustice.
New Music Roundup: February
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Grimes, King Krule, Midland and more.
New Music Roundup: January
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Bad Ambassadors, Gabrielle Aplin, Mick Jenkins and more.
New Music Roundup: December
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month's edition includes new releases from The Free Nationals, Harry Styles, Kaytranada and more.
New Music Roundup: November
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Doja Cat, Gang Starr, Michael Kiwanuka and more.
Examining the Music That Made Gram Parsons and His Cosmic American Offspring
Explore the wide range of influences that informed Gram Parsons and his jambalaya of American music.
Classic Artist of the Week: Roberta Flack
Hailing from Black Mountain, North Carolina, this week’s Riff’s & Rhymes Classic Artist is revered singer Roberta Flack.
Lyric of the Week: Anderson .Paak – King James
Lyric: What we built here is godly, you can't gentrify the heart of kings Song: Anderson .Paak – “King James” Album: Ventura (2019) Background: The lead single off of Anderson .Paak’s 2019 album Ventura, “King James” is a smooth, funk filled track that pays homage to NBA superstar LeBron James, and touches on problematic social justice issues in the … Continue reading Lyric of the Week: Anderson .Paak – King James
New Music Roundup: September
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Brittany Howard, The Highwomen, Men I Trust and more. Adam Green - Engine of Paradise Adam Green's oddly charming poetry exudes of everything wonderful about the New York's … Continue reading New Music Roundup: September
Classic Artist of the Week: Al Green
Often touted as one of the last of the great soul singers, this week’s Riffs & Rhymes classic artist is “The Reverend,” Al Green. During his upbringing, Green set a new standard for an entire genre that went far beyond his ability to top charts. His incomparable voice could be described as the perfect mix … Continue reading Classic Artist of the Week: Al Green
The Best Albums of 2019 (so far)
Every introduction to any "best of" type post must make some sort of attempt at quantifying the greatness (or lack thereof) of any given 12 months, but being that this particular year marks the end of the 2010s, it is understandable that these kind of write ups may carry a little more significance this time … Continue reading The Best Albums of 2019 (so far)
Anderson .Paak – Ventura
Largely in thanks to his undeniable talent and increasingly likable persona, Anderson .Paak's Oxnard, the third studio album from the West Coast rapper-singer-producer extraordinaire, ranked among the most highly anticipated records of 2018. Less than half a year later, Paak has returned with yet another beach-titled LP, the soul-infused Ventura. After relinquishing creative control to Dr. Dre's … Continue reading Anderson .Paak – Ventura
Nilüfer Yanya -Miss Universe
The trend of young and extremely talented musicians emerging from London, UK continues. The daughter of two visual artists, 23-year-old Nilüfer Yanya grew up in West London. From her mother playing classical music and her father playing traditional turkish music, to her older sister who would listen primarily to skater rock bands like Blink-182 and … Continue reading Nilüfer Yanya -Miss Universe
Best of 2018: Roberto’s Top 10 Albums
By this point, I suppose 2018 hardly needs an introduction. There's a lot going on outside and today's music reflects that, as art always tends to do. If there's one positive thing we can all agree on is that there is truly an infinite amount of great music being released into the world on a … Continue reading Best of 2018: Roberto’s Top 10 Albums
Best of 2018: Tyler’s Top 10 Albums
To put it plainly, 2018 was a lot. Parts of my self and sanity were tested because life came around so fast and I didn’t know how to cope in healthy ways. I finished my last semester of undergrad and graduated, got into the best relationship of my life, moved to a new city, and … Continue reading Best of 2018: Tyler’s Top 10 Albums
Album Review: Anderson .Paak – Oxnard
Every era has its group of entertainers that eventually achieve household name status. From Michael Jackson and Prince to Justin Timberlake and Beyonce, each generation of music is keen to producing a select number of individuals fit for center stage. Anderson .Paak is perhaps one of this decade's notable show stopping performers. A multifaceted talent … Continue reading Album Review: Anderson .Paak – Oxnard
How Raury is Changing the Music Industry
The former major label protégé is marching to the beat of his own drum.
Masego – Lady Lady
Smooth. That is the first word that comes to mind when I put on Masego’s debut album, Lady Lady. What else would you expect when the Virginia native describes his sound as “TrapHouseJazz”? It's equal parts relaxing, groovy, and catchy. A pairing that I’m surprised no one came up with sooner, because this project proves … Continue reading Masego – Lady Lady
Kadhja Bonet – Childqueen
Kadhja Bonet's soul music is in a unique class. It's composed into dense layers of classical instrumentation and rich vocal arrangements, pulled together harmoniously to produce a spacious psychedelic sheen. Her latest album, Childqueen, employs these characteristics to depict a deeply personal journey in which she seeks to detach herself from the unavoidable influences of man's … Continue reading Kadhja Bonet – Childqueen
The Internet – Hive Mind
When this time of year rolls around, there’s always the argument for the “song of the summer”. The song that controls radio waves and playlists for the short, scorching three months of excessive traveling, beaches, barbeques, drugs and sex, until we get to our regularly scheduled lives and the leaves start changing color. But with … Continue reading The Internet – Hive Mind
Teyana Taylor – K.T.S.E.
Better late than never, right? Never late might’ve been better in this case. That’s been the general consensus when it came to most of the projects in Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music releases. Who knew we were getting the real hidden gem of the projects at the very end? The project that had the most musical range … Continue reading Teyana Taylor – K.T.S.E.
New Music Roundup: June
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Courtney Barnett, Leon Bridges, Ski Mask the Slump God and more. Clairo - Diary 001 EP Diary 001 EP is as cute and charming as its title implies. Clairo's … Continue reading New Music Roundup: June
10 Artists I’m Anticipating Music From in 2018
Childish Gambino, Beach House, Gibbs and Madlib. The music outlook for 2018 translates to great expectations for lots of big names.
Vinyl Update: rock essentials and modern soul
Featuring records from Charles Bradley, Fleetwood Mac and more.
Top 15 Albums of 2017
From Kendrick Lamar to Fleet Foxes, here are my favorite albums of 2017.
Vinyl Update: Sweet soul, rock legends and my indie rock woman crush
Featuring records from Angel Olsen, Tom Petty and more.
Charlotte Dos Santos @ Center for the Arts Eagle Rock
With a voice so delicate and enchanting, the live results are scary good.
Riffs & Rhymes 