I love me some dub, and especially the kind where it's not overly washed out and abstracted, but still retains the vibrancy of the source material. This hits the nail on the head, bringing together reggae vocalists with relatively restrained manipulations. Either a side project of German duo Basic Channel or vice versa. Great stuff, and makes me want to check out more dub with mostly intact vocals. Starting at a 4/5 and 75/100 on the BEA scale.
Really enjoyed this recent release, and think it's her best work yet. Incorporates touches of trip hop and garage.
Ambiguous Desire (2026) by Arlo Parks
There's something about Arlo Parks that consistently keeps me at arm's length, and I've been struggling to articulate exactly what. It lacks punch. And yes, I'm aware that sounds extremely reductive. But I really do have a feeling her distinctive, hazy vocals paired with often lackluster songwriting and non-intrusive production don't amount to much. I had the same feeling when listening to her debut Collapsed in Sunbeams, despite it being sonically quite different. Really hoped dashes of trip hop, UKG, drum and bass and other electronic influences would help me enjoy her music. Arlo obviously has an artistic vision and she has built a sound that matches the vision. I guess I just don't dig it. To end on a positive note, this seems like a great album for night cruising, which is a vibe I love.
Here's a fantastic and utterly unique contemporary soul album. I'm yet to find anything that sounds like it.
Oh Me Oh My (2023) by Lonnie Holley
Btw I'm glad you dig w/ the artists, it really is a rare perfect match of incredible dub instrumentals and legendary MCs. _________________ Overall chart Fake overall chart
This is a really interesting record. The songwriting is strong, with affecting autobiographical lyrics addressing growing up in Jim Crow Alabama - Mount Meigs is a highlight in this respect. The variety of guests complement Holley well, with Moor Mother and Bon Iver being the standout additions for me. And musically, this is not a predictable listen, with some inspired directions from Holley and producer Jacknife Lee. But at its core, this is a great soul album anchored by the vocals and songs of this legendary multidisciplinary folk artist. They're not always perfect vocals, but they're compelling and rich. Looking forward to further listening, and starting at a light 4/5, or 75/100 on BEA.
Try this album from one of the greatest vibraphonists:
Like a Danish white-collar socialist N*E*R*D, with more rapping. These guys were teenaging breakdancers who broke through and released music. In the midst of all their contemporaries which has aged horribly and is too childish, this is still an album I can (and do) come back to again and again. The production is so flavorful, full of choppy pop-rap percussion and especially those sterile synths; this was a prototype for Electro Hop (shoutout RYM, please unban me). I consider the synths to be the thing that lift the CD up in a pop-rap class of its own: both melodic engines and ever-quirky sound effects, they never sound pale. I love the variety where there are even tracks that feature classical piano (like in Drømmeland, melodic hit to a bone chilling level) and a bit of saxophone (played by Sebastian, the guy in the middle). As soon as someone presses start, one is hit with two things: the immense catchiness and the knowledge of who's who in the group. It may sound like the production is carrying the boys, and in a way it's true, but to rap and deliver hooks upon hooks on this, one has to simplify while remaining modest. And that's what they do, in my opinion. Not one verse sounds out of place. It's not a challenging listen, it's easy-going and for me one of the best and most blazingly focused records of pop music that my home country ever released to its culture.
There are songs that sound better than others, and if you ask me, the upbeat electro-hop bangers are the most timeless, but generally I can always have a 48 minute blast listening to this. In an age where people wanna go back to fun music, and appreciate foreign speaking in it, I cast this in the pile.
Among my top 50 most played albums ever, and currently in September 2026, my #315th favorite album of all time.
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