Nadah el Shazly - Laini Tani [2025]

Nadah el Shazly's production is perfectly in tune with the strengths of her voice. Take "Eid" for example, where the Egyptian musician loops and shifts a revolving sample of woodwinds to conjure a surreal ambiance. She is patient with words and sings in a soothing register as Sarah Pagé's graceful harp playing adds shards of light to the tune. The harp is on various tracks of Laini Tani and has a key role in the excellent title track. The spacious "Laini Tani" begins in a spellbinding fashion with a duet of harp improvising around gorgeous vocal melodies. Eventually, the harp locks into a steady rhythm, and deep drums and bass push towards an entrancing chorus.

Nels Cline - Consentrik Quartet [2025]

Published on PostGenre

Considering guitarist Nels Cline's history, it's no surprise that the music of the Consentrik Quartet occasionally has shades of rock. “Slipping Into Something” starts subtly before bursting into a drum-driven groove fit for a rock song. Tom Rainey (drums) and Chris Lightcap (bass) keep heads nodding as Ingrid Laubrock (tenor saxophone) and Cline impressively trade the limelight. The pair strike up an enthralling musical dialogue with inventive reactions and reinterpretations. The exchanges on “Slipping Into Something” are an example of the strong chemistry between Laubrock and Cline, a crucial component of the success of the Consentrik Quartet’s eponymous debut album.

Mitlon + esperanza [2024]

Published on PostGenre

esperanza spalding has made no secret of her love for Milton Nascimento’s music. Her sophomore album features a spirited rendition of Nascimento’s “Ponta de Areia” - early evidence of her strong affinity with the Brazilian legend’s compositions. After having heard Nascimento and spalding on Milton + esperanza (Concord, 2024), listening to spalding’s “Ponta de Areia” makes the album feel like something that was destined to happen. Making an album with Nascimento is a dream come true for spalding, and with how impressive Milton + esperanza is, it definitely sounds like one. 

Mary Halvorson - Cloudward [2024]

Published on PostGenre

Mary Halvorson gives a wide range of effects and musical roles to her guitar, and the result is always idiosyncratic. The guitarist's compositions have a complex, innovative edge, and Cloudward is more evidence as to why she deserves all the acclaim that comes her way. The intensity and progression of "Desiderata" is a fantastic display of her compositional and instrumental chops. The tune opens with a rock verve that dissipates into reserved trumpet and trombone melodies that the guitar tastefully punctuates. Things get hectic once Halvorson turns on the distortion and ignites the mood with an aggressive solo full of technical mastery and otherworldly effects. 

Luiza Lian - 7 estrelas | Quem arrancou o céu? [2023]

Luiza Lian's 7 estrelas | Quem arrancou o céu? has a woozy, submerged electronic style with a futuristic aesthetic. Due to this, the evolution Lian displays on the album may be ideal for fans whose favorite Lian album is Oya Tempo. 7 Estrelas has Lian and producer Charles Tixier's most prominent use of vocal effects and samples yet, and both are key to the captivating atmosphere of the album. In "Tecnicolor," a standout track that features Céu, Lian sings with an alluring metallic gloss. The track has an addicting instrumental that mesmerizingly shifts between languid waves and club-ready bounces. A catchy upbeat rhythm and smooth keys make "Desabriga" another tune with portions that could work on the dance floor.