New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)(2010)
Erykah Badu’s stature in contemporary R&B has been overwhelmingly powerful for over twenty years. In that time, her creativity has evolved in numerous ways, with her second opus arriving through the futuristic magnificence of New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010). Her fifth record is a glorious homage to her soulful hip-hop roots, and effortlessly ties together all of the most rewarding elements of her iconic legacy.
Sleep Cycle (2016)
The seven year process between announcing and releasing Deakin’s only solo record, Sleep Cycle, created an uncertainty as to whether or not it would ever be completed. Although Deakin’s physical presence appears on about half of Animal Collective recordings, his six track self-released solo endeavor sheds light on the overwhelming impact of his sound and perspective.
a softer focus (2021)
On her new album, a softer focus, experimentalist Claire Rousay hones in on the importance of subtle noise. Across six obscure compositions, the San Antonio-based artist weaves together ambient synth melodies with a diverse collection of field recordings. With her unique use of these niche elements of noise, Rousay has created a record that labels music as a connecting point between humanity and the underappreciated beauty in nature.