Songs to Obsess Over and Over…
By Mike Biggz – KPFA Interim Music Director
Iibibio Sound Machine – “Pull The Rope”
(Merge Records)
Ibibio Sound Machine, the incredible London based dance outfit led by singer Eno Williams and multi-instrumentalist Max Grunhard, return with their latest single, the hypnotic dancefloor banger, “Pull the Rope”. Ibibio Sound Machine has been releasing albums a bit under the radar for the last decade but continue to expand their worldwide audience with music that falls somewhere between Fela Kuti, Soul II Soul and LCD Soundsystem. This is also the title track to their forthcoming album dropping in May.
Victoria Monet – Stop (Askin’ Me 4 Shyt)
(Lovett Music/RCA Records)
After years of penning hits for artists like Ariana Grande, BLACKPINK, and others, Monet dropped her debut album in 2023, earning her a Grammy for Best New Artist. The album is, like many modern day R&B artists (SZA, Ari Lennox) unapologetic with it’s explicit lyrical content, but musically takes it back to a blend of 70’s, 80’s soul with an updated feel to it. Stop (Aslin’ Me 4 Shyt) showcases Monet’s clever songwriting skills to a backdrop that sounds like it came straight out of a Marvin Gaye session, filled with beautiful and lush cord changes and drums that switch up and guide you through the motions before it fades out with haunting boom bap climax. I’ve had this on repeat for 2 weeks straight.
Chicano Batman – “Fly”
(ATO Records)
Acclaimed psych-soul band and Los Angeles institution Chicano Batman will release their much-anticipated new album, Notebook Fantasy, on March 29th on ATO Records. It notably marks their fifth full-length LP and first since 2020. The group heralds its arrival with the new single and music video “Fly”. This song is incrediblly catchy, sexy and funky with it’s bouncing bassline and singer Marques Houston’s enticing vocals that glides or flies in the chorus. It’s song a song of the year contender for sure.
Audrey Powne – Feed The Fire
(BBE Music)
Audrey Powne’s stunning debut album, From The Fire, is set to be one of those must have LPs in any music lover’s collection. The album is written, produced and sung by Audrey who, along with her Badu-esque vocals, plays a mean trumpet, turning her soundscapcs into something cinematic and gorgeous. Feed The Fire and the title track, From The Fire is about second chances, new beginnings but also stems from a personal connection Audrey had to the deadly bushfires in her native Australia. She needs to be on everyone’s radar.
Seafood Sam – Can’t Take The Hood To Heaven
(Drink Sum Wtr Records)
I’ve said this before but we are in the golden era of strange rap names. Jokes aside, Seafood Sam’s music is no laughing matter. This is pure West Coast Cool. Laid back vocals over the dope backdrop that sound like it could have been produced by Barry White or Issac Hayes. Seafood Sam unveils a forward-thinking sensibility rooted in ancestral soul. He’s a dope rapper, singer, and a symphonic producer. All rhymes, singing, production, and arrangements were handled by Sam – with an assist from Tom Kendall of the Long Beach group Soular System. It’s an arsenal of sample-free soul & funk. Do not sleep on this dude.