A$AP Rocky
Long.Live.A$AP
(RCA Records)
Rapper A$AP Rocky meshes his laid-back lyrical persona with a melodic sound, delivering an impressive piece of work with just a few flaws on his debut album, Long.Live.A$AP.
Much of the 12-track set is an easy listen with solid production from Jim Jonsin, Hit-Boy, T-Minus and Clams Casino. The 24-year-old, who hails from Harlem, N.Y., raps with abstract rhymes and metaphors that are easy to grasp on songs like Goldie and Phoenix. He shows an abundant amount of bravado on LVL, declaring his emergence as hip-hop?s next big star. And he holds his own on the catchy hit, (Expletive) Problems, which features Drake, Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz. The only thing missing from Long.Live.A$AP is a theme or story line to help us learn more about A$AP Rocky and what he stands for as an artist.
?Jonathan Landrum Jr., Associated Press
Dawn Richard
Goldenheart
(Altavoz Distribution)
As a member of Diddy-Dirty Money and Danity Kane, Dawn Richard was impressive. As a solo artist, she?s extraordinary.
Her solo debut, Goldenheart, is an R&B field day of progressive, electronic and smooth sounds that play like one amazing musical adventure. Her unique voice ? which echoes Brandy ? glides over each song like magic as she sings about heartache and breaking through in the music industry (check out Return of a Queen.) And Richard, who co-wrote the 16-track independent release, doesn?t skip a beat.
Pretty Wicked Things is spooky and eerie ? in a good way. Northern Lights is addictive, while Tug of War and Frequency are certified Quiet Storm anthems.
Goldenheart isn?t just golden, it?s grand.
?Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press
Jessie Ware
If You?re Never Gonna Move EP
(Interscope/Cherrytree)
Though she was first heard singing vocals for U.K. acts like Joker and SBTRKT, South Londoner Jessie Ware strikes out on her own ? providing a much-needed injection into the British music scene and giving Emeli Sande some breathing space. Ware?s U.S. debut EP, If You?re Never Gonna Move, is a collection of sophisticated nu-soul tunes, intelligent beats and blissful, soothing Sade-esque vocals. Relationships and lust are central themes, and the delivery is heartfelt, soulful and unobtrusive. The title track is a melodic dream about chasing love and Devotion is a downtempo love letter. And Sweet Talk, a 1980s-laced groove, is a pop gem, much like Ware herself. Devotion, her Mercury Prize-nominated U.K. full-length debut album, will be released April 2 in America. Can?t wait.
?Reetu Rupal, Associated Press
Various Artists
Girls Soundtrack Volume 1: Music From the HBO Original Series
(Fueled by Ramen)
Lena Dunham?s Girls is a cult TV phenomenon, so it?s only right that the soundtrack matches the quirkiness of the on-screen action. The soundtrack is littered with indie anthems, opening with the dance floor smash Dancing on My Own by Robyn, which accompanies a standout moment in the HBO sitcom where Dunham?s character gets caught dancing on her own. Other highlights include The Vaccines? bellowing Wreckin? Bar and I Don?t Love Anyone, a twinkling, whimsical ditty from Belle & Sebastian. A weaker moment surprisingly comes from pop-rock trio fun., whose lyrics on Sight of the Sun seem disjointed and inconsequential. However, the soundtrack stands alone as a great collection of tunes, and as season two begins, we can enjoy the soundtrack to season one.
?Sian Watson, Associated Press
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