D’Angelo and The Vanguard: Black Messiah

Fourteen years since his last record, D’Angelo has finally released his incredible new album, Black Messiah. Not only is it a beautiful, thoughtful and soulful album (as always expected from the singer/songwriter/instrumentalist), it’s also poignantly timely—appearing mere days after thousands of people across America protested police brutality against black and brown communities. D’Angelo’s voice is still immediately recognizable; disarmingly powerful and yet unforced—especially in “Prayer,” …

Dent May: I’ll Be Stoned For Christmas

“Tis the season to be high / So fill my cup to top / Light me up till I’m hot.” A true indie alternative to the Mariah Carey, Wham and Frank Sinatra that takes over department store PA systems during the holiday season is Mississippi-based Dent May’s “I’ll Be Stoned For Christmas.” Insanely catchy, with relatable lyrics for any smoker headed back home for the …

Top 100 Vinyl Releases of 2014

London’s The Vinyl Factory has published their Top 100 Vinyl Releases of 2014, and as expected from this annual treat, it’s a penetrating look at the year’s 7”s, 10”s, 12”s, EPs, LPs and box sets. Many of the artists we’ve covered throughout our year of ListenUp have made the cut: Air (96), Fatima (90), Liars (80), Future Islands (80), DJ Harvey (79), Beyoncé (70), Holly …