The singer, songwriter and also guitarist Brittany Howard consolidates with What now? a second career, this one solo, after experiencing fame and well-deserved praise – numerous Grammys included – as the leader of the outstanding Alabama Shakes. The solo journey began in 2019 with the already splendid Jaime. She now takes an indisputable step forward, both in artistic ambition and in personal reaffirmation, with a work that expands her virtues practically without limits, starting with the fact that What now? It has all the signs of becoming a timeless work.
The balance between all the sound, stylistic, and thematic inputs is one of the fundamental hallmarks of the work. So, for example, you can enjoy an Every color in blue with a bright jazzy touch while reflecting on depression, or surf to the rhythm of hip-hop in the combative and soon iconic Red flags. There is also no problem sharing invitations to the dance floor with a Giorgio Moroder flavor, delighting in his eighties-flavored guitar playing in the piece that gives its name to the album or, in one of the undisputed peaks, transforming into the best Prince filling Power to undo of messy and cool pop-funk. Although the more doubtful Howard also appears in an Every color in blue with complex sound architecture. And, as the Alabama singer has confessed, “the only constant on this album is that you never know what is going to happen next.”
Despite still being unknown to the general fan, American musician Roberto Carlos Lange – of Ecuadorian origin – signs his eighth album. In his magnificent comforting and detailed proposal, pop (especially), funk and electronica come together, along with his roots, such as the initial LFO (Lupe Finds Oliveros), performed in Spanish.
The always attractive series from the Putumayo record company on this occasion take advantage of Valentine's Day to offer eleven songs of love and romantic cadence from the four corners of the planet. A pleasant trip from Scotland to Greece passing through Africa (the Sudanese Rasha nails it with Azara Alhai) or Brazil (where Bella Velloso offers Todo Sexta-Feira).
The Garraf band is an excellent example of the variety and breadth of an often ignored local scene. This third album of the combo is an unbeatable example, in which they combine with balance lyrics where nostalgia-sadness go hand in hand with the invitation to enjoyment, on the back of careful melodies and rhythms of slow yet luminous pop.
