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Welcome to a new edition of the Daily Music Picks newsletter!
Todayâs music pick is one of the yearâs most intriguing alternative records, a dense amalgamation of wide-ranging influences and customs.
Genre: Alternative, Neo-Soul
Label: Ninja Tune
Release Date: February 3, 2023
Vibe: đŻ
In my experience, an inability to instantly categorize an album is a sign itâs worth listening to, often more than once. It incorporates snippets of influence and tradition from so many genres and styles that it becomes its own unique organismâtranscending the old to create something new and exciting. This is the case with Heavy Heavy, the fourth full-length release from Mercury-prize-winning Scottish group Young Fathers. By taking their cues from neo-soul, art-pop, alternative rap, electronica, and indigenous music (among many others), theyâve created an intriguing, poignant sonic mosaic that celebrates human triumphs over atrocity.
The latter quality serves as a noticeable undercurrent throughout, with tracks like âI Sawâ and âTell Somebodyâ touching on how paying no heed to the plight of others (particularly in the wake of Brexit, according to the group) can both initiate and prolong a downward emotional spiral. But some moments glow with hope, seeing the brightest of lights at the end of dark tunnels. Itâs all rolled into one on âShoot Me Down,â a breathtaking exercise in contrasting cynicism with a longing to let loose and connect through the power of music (âWe're having me a party, throw my ashes to this ground/Keep 'em dancing all night longâ). Itâs one of the purest, most unabashedly human moments on an album full of them.
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