Calliope Music Review of the Week
Brittany Howard - What Now
A Shrine to the Sun and All that is Passion
Layered chimes, triangles, and bright guitar connect with warm drums and smooth bass to devise a friendly atmosphere. Energetic tempos and Psychedelic drum-work push a whimsical environment of vibrancy and strapping melody. Brittany Howard adds heft through an impressive showing of sturdy vocals and powerful refrain.
The gist of this record is its exuberance, teeming with soul and commanding sentiment throughout a 38 minute runtime. Elevated by fastidious grooves and hypnogogic production, Howard continues to excel in slower, Jazzier cuts like 'To Be Still,' and the 3rd to last track, 'Samson.'
Unfortunately, not every development yields the same elation as the album's most powerful tracks, with some movements left short or missing the exclamation point to building progressions. However, the need for punctuation is lessened considering the free-flowing nature of the record. This is most notable in the wind-chime interludes between each song, forming a chain of peaceful epilogues and introductions to sprightly beats.
All in all, What Now is a sunlit dip into joy and Psychedelia. Howard raises the bar for contemporary Pop and Soul with a spirit vigorous in its pursuit of pulling the Sun closer to the listener, igniting a zealous flame in the process.
Best Tracks: Earth Sign -- What Now -- Red Flags -- To Be Still -- Another Day -- Prove It To You -- Patience -- Power To undo
A Shrine to the Sun and All that is Passion
Layered chimes, triangles, and bright guitar connect with warm drums and smooth bass to devise a friendly atmosphere. Energetic tempos and Psychedelic drum-work push a whimsical environment of vibrancy and strapping melody. Brittany Howard adds heft through an impressive showing of sturdy vocals and powerful refrain.
The gist of this record is its exuberance, teeming with soul and commanding sentiment throughout a 38 minute runtime. Elevated by fastidious grooves and hypnogogic production, Howard continues to excel in slower, Jazzier cuts like 'To Be Still,' and the 3rd to last track, 'Samson.'
Unfortunately, not every development yields the same elation as the album's most powerful tracks, with some movements left short or missing the exclamation point to building progressions. However, the need for punctuation is lessened considering the free-flowing nature of the record. This is most notable in the wind-chime interludes between each song, forming a chain of peaceful epilogues and introductions to sprightly beats.
All in all, What Now is a sunlit dip into joy and Psychedelia. Howard raises the bar for contemporary Pop and Soul with a spirit vigorous in its pursuit of pulling the Sun closer to the listener, igniting a zealous flame in the process.
Best Tracks: Earth Sign -- What Now -- Red Flags -- To Be Still -- Another Day -- Prove It To You -- Patience -- Power To undo
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