Blood Orange
REVIEWS
Freetown Sound
Domino Recording 2016
Dev Hynes is probably the man behind some of your favorite pop songs of the last 5
years and you didn’t even know it. When he’s not writing songs for Carly Rae Jepsen
and Sky Ferreira, Hynes makes resplendant dream-pop and r&b under the Blood Orange moniker. On his third effort, Freetown Sound, Dev calls on many voices — both
sung and spoken — to help quantify his place in this world as a black, queer individual.
By focusing on the burdens he’s faced with, he offers solidarity and hope to the many
who struggle with the same issues. In 2016, Freetown Sound feels pertinent.
Anderson .Paak
Malibu
Steel Wool 2016
No one has had a bigger year than Dr. Dre’s latest cosign, Anderson .Paak.
The multi-talented drummer-singer-rapper is responsible for 2016’s best
album, and dominated every track he’s found himself on since — and he’s
not done yet. So about that album I mentioned, Malibu, yeah. It’s really really
good. .Paak is a natural entertainer, crafting ornate funk-indebted r&b with
pop sensibilities and the ability to trade bars with the best of ‘em. Lately, it
seems like Anderson .Paak just can’t miss; and with Malibu, you’ll always
find yourself with new favorites.
Skepta
Konnichiwa
Boy Better Know 2016
Finally, we got an album from Skepta — and he delivered. On Konnichiwa,
the king of Grime produces 9 of his 12 songs, and provides a steady platter
of punchy hype-rap poised for the Wembley-sized crowds he’s drawing these
days. Aside from heavy-hitting singles like “Man” and “Shutdown,” Skepta
offers the menacing turn-up anthem “Detox,” & the quirky Pharrell collab
“Numbers” — wherein P delivers a dorky verse which sounds sorta like a
robotic 2 Chainz. A lot of people wondered if the release of Konnichiwa
would grant the Grime genre the crossover hit many have been predicting
for years now; I don’t know if it did that, but don’t be surprised if you hear
Skepta at the function this year.
Images: popgunpresents.com, music.blog.austin360.com, hypetrak.com