SOUND JUDGEMENT

THE LATEST ALBUM RELEASES RATED AND REVIEWED

BLOOD ORANGE NEGRO SWAN

A MAN never short of ideas, Devonte Hynes marshals his inspirations into an “honest look at the corners of black existence”.

The multiplicity of genres and switches of pace are initially dizzying – soul, acid R&B, verdant Prince-like arrangements – but on later listens Negro Swan sounds like an album rather than a mixtape.

The record’s strong opening third features Wurlitzers, flutes, Puff Daddy duelling with TeiShi, and the lovely, multifaceted Jewelry.

Speech samples provide encouragement throughout, but in Runnin’, Georgia Ann Muldrow’s sublime guest vocal does so with towering force.

Hynes’ vision and vulnerability make him a rare bird.

CANDI STATON

UNSTOPPABLE

FIFTY years into her career Candi Staton adopts the role of soul stateswoman on her aptly-titled 30th album.

This politically-charged collection, including a reworking of Patti Smith’s People Have The Power, appears to be Staton’s What’s Going On? moment.

Unstoppable strikes the right balance of social commentary with irresistible hooks and funky rhythms that recall the late 1960s era of funk and soul, during which Staton rose to stardom.

The album’s centrepiece is Revolution of Change, which sees Staton call for gun law reform and an end to police brutality.

WHITE DENIM

PERFORMANCE

TWO years ago, around the release of White Denim’s last album, frontman James Petralli questioned why his band were not playing arenas, before suggesting even he wasn’t sure that was his idiosyncratic band’s destiny.

Petralli says his band exist “just to make interesting, up-tempo rock & roll”, but he’s selling them short, given the funk, jazz and myriad adroit elements cooked up by the Austin, Texas quartet.

Single Magazin is a slice of brass-bolstered glam rock, Fine Slime is built on brooding bass foundations and It Might Get Dark gets it on in a T. Rex style.

If this was 1976 they’d be packing stadiums, and this is a Performance to bring the house down.