K Michelle: All Monsters Are Human review – slick R&B with a sharp whiff of smut
The Tennessean takes her no-filter frankness to new levels in this disconcerting chronicle of sex and heartbreak
The Teskey Brothers review – Aussie blues revivalists let the good times roll
With their blend of Muscle Shoals soul, boogie-woogie and pub rock, the Teskey Brothers are trapped in the past – but make gorgeous music nonetheless
Sault: 5 / 7 review – intriguing grooves from a mystery funk machine
No one seems to know who they are, but one thing is sure: Sault make hooky, dubby, funky music with echoes of ESG and Can
Free Nationals: Free Nationals review – soulful vibes abound
The slinky, funky debut album by Anderson .Paak’s live band evokes gas-guzzling 70s cars with shag pile carpets
Michael Kiwanuka: Kiwanuka review – retro soul with an Afrocentric air
“Kiwanuka” is the surname of Ugandan origin that teachers struggled to pronounce when Michael Kiwanuka was at school in London, the name the music industry counselled against. So an element of defiance commingles with a new sense of self-acceptance on … Continue reading
Michael Kiwanuka: Kiwanuka review – one of the greatest albums of the decade
The soulful singer’s third LP is timeless and contemporary at the same time, with shades of everything from What’s Going On to Screamadelica
John Legend review – a neo soul love-in
He might lack the showmanship to own a room this big, but the singer-pianist charms the crowd with a smooth, urbane set
Brittany Howard: Jaime review – Alabama Shakes singer’s luminous neo-soul
A wonderful solo debut takes in race, religion and boozy excess, all with searing lyricism
Tyler, the Creator review – hero’s welcome for rap’s heartbroken dandy
At his first UK show since a travel ban from Theresa May was overturned, Tyler, the Creator’s lovely, submissive neo-soul tracks segue into pyro and moshpits
Mahalia: Love and Compromise review – breezy, mellow soul-pop
Mahalia’s overly anointed status still raises the hackles somewhat. Signed since she was 13, the Leicester singer-songwriter enjoyed early support from Ed Sheeran, putting out a 2016 debut project, Diary of Me, whose freshness was hampered by its fence-sitting between … Continue reading
Brittany Howard review – a funk-rooted tour de force
Brittany Howard thrills on a deeply personal solo detour from Alabama Shakes
End of the Road festival review – potent bacchanalia and mysticism
‘See you in the twilight zone’ says one musician; EOTR has enough weirdness, charm and shaggy charisma to weather our end-of-days era
Brittany Howard review – politics and transcendence from Alabama Shakes star
A mid-set acoustic moment proves incendiary for this UK solo debut in support of Howard’s forthcoming album Jaime
Jidenna: 85 to Africa – Classic Man takes it back to the source
The Wisconsin-born singer and rapper adds musical elements of his west African background, but the production lacks warmth
Chance the Rapper: The Big Day review – a pop-rap marriage made in heaven
The Grammy-winning darling of the US rap scene finally releases his debut album: a candid, cutesy concept album based around his wedding