Betty Davis: They Say I’m Different

Singer, songwriter, musician, producer and oft-overlooked funk pioneer Betty Davis has passed away at 77. Davis has been widely credited with inspiring then-husband Miles Davis to embark on his landmark jazz fusion era by introducing him to psychedelic rock and funk, but she was an icon in her own right—and one of the first Black women acknowledged for writing, arranging and producing her albums. She …

Caroline Polachek: Billions

Caroline Polachek’s ethereal psych-pop track “Billions” enthralls listeners from the first eerie pulses and clanks. Featuring vocals from London’s Trinity Boys & Girls Choir, the song shape-shifts over its almost-five minutes, from stark to spectral to a rich, resplendent treasure. The mesmerizing video—by Polachek and her frequent collaborator Matt Copson—takes viewers on a surreal ride.

Bree Runway: Pressure

Bree Runway’s first release of 2022, “Pressure” is drenched in attitude, with a video—directed by Nadira Amrani—that blends corporate attire with S&M looks and electric choreography (some of which is ballroom-inspired). Driven by self-confidence, the Afrobeat-inflected track comes with this statement from the London-based artist: “I love how this song embodies everything I am. It oozes Africa with the rhythm of the drums, the attitude, …