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. 

Minhwi Lee - 미래의 고향 (Hometown to Come) [2023]

Minhwi Lee's 미래의 고향 (Hometown to Come) has an inviting melancholy that is always in tune with its subject matter. The album features Lee ruminating on how distance contorts the essence of home. On "정거장 (The Station)," the steady haze of electric guitar and delicate keys provide a fitting ambiance for Lee to sing of the fleeting yet cyclical nature of emotional journeys. She has a gorgeous voice that is key to the success of this album, and how it lingers onto the words of "귀향 (Returning)" is one of its finest moments. There is a soft, welcoming sadness to the tune, which contemplates the feeling of displacement upon returning home. The synergy between Lee's vocal melody, tender piano, and Oki Kim's warm sax make "귀향 (Returning)" an entrancing listen.