The 'Q THEORY' of WYCLEF JEAN'S jazz age

The Ecleftic 

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Ever since Wyclef Jean sang 'No Woman, No Cry' by iconic idol Bob Marley, serving as his music muse. Settling 'The Score' of quite possibly the best hip-hop album of all-time, by one of its greatest groups. Ever since then, you just knew Jean was more than a real rapper. I mean, here's a guy who once rhymed in multiple languages, leaving us Bill Murray in translation. Opening the Fugees 2005 reunion show at the then M.E.N. arena in Manchester, England. Telling the usher, " I used to do your job, give me your jacket." All before rocking out in that garishly legendary M.E.N. arena blazer yellow. Something previously embarrassing, but then instantly iconic, as everyone in attendance wanted their own like golf's green jacket for The Masters, or the Naismith's Basketball Hall of Fame orange. Wyclef wasn't playing before he introduced a 'Ghetto Superstar' and Ms. Hill.

Carnivals of 'Ecleftic' classics by the hip-hop number have given us further rhyme to this reason. But now, Wyclef Jean takes a real quantum leap, like Scott Bakula. Showing us, he's got the jazz, akin to tribes that go quest. This q-tip in your ear, in all its abstractions offers up the 'Q Theory- Quantum Leap Vol. 2'. "So smooth and sweet" according to a brilliant bassist I know, these sounds fill up the scape with yet another scope to Jean's range. Following the 'Clef Notes' of volume one and the time 'Wyclef (Went) Back To School' in 2019. Taking us all to it as this jazz project explores the history of his Haitian roots and the inspirations of the late, great Quincy Jones' improvisations. What results in this second chapter is something else. Something thrilling in the same N.M.F. weekend where we get new, posthumous Prince ('Timeless'), fellow dread-ditcher Busta Rhymes bringing the late, great J Dilla back for 'Dillagence II', and Erykah Badu and The Alchemist becoming Abi and Alan 'Before The World Blows'.

The Alchemist, like the restaurant in Manchester, just mixed a classic concoction to give us Badu's best yet. Jazz is doing the same for Jean. Two classic catalogues have just become all the more compelling for a culture that needs to be celebrated in all corners of the world it unites, lyrically and sonically. Jean used to get down with the great Jerry Wonda. Here, under the piano with an acoustic, like the black and white album artwork of a young boy with innocence and fire in his eyes...and a couple of record sleeves by his side, he brings forth some friends to the fore for his foray into the world of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Most notably, modern-day great Robert Glasper, Godwin Louis, Theo Croker and many, many more. The glasses on the table of the cover may be empty, but the hearts and musical minds are full. Right to the brim as you raise a glass in the 'French Quarter', or toast to those 'Harlem Nights' in a New York, 'Clef once called New Jerusalem on the iconic sequel to a classic, 'Carnival II: Memoirs Of An Immigrant'.

'Rocinha', with Glasper, Godwin and Patrick Pelissier just takes you there. Right into the heart of those beautiful Brazilian favelas. Sounding like a halfway house between Thelonious and the inspired intro to Spielberg's 'Catch Me If You Can'. 'Lady Havana' stamps even more passports in perfect percussion and poise, as Theo, Yiyi Sanchez and Axel Tosca. From 'Silk & Sand', featuring Jean Caze, Godwin Louis, Weedie Braimah and Axel Tosca, to 'Sugarcane & Watermelon', this Ecleftic epic encompasses it all, as Jean builds another band of brothers and sisters. Taking wing with Bradford Hayes on the God reaching 'Pegasus'. 'Farafina', alongside Robert Glasper, Elena Pinderhughes, Godwin Louis and Arden Altino, is so fresh you can touch it. And there are even some lyrics amongst all the licks here for this rolling stone, cold as ever. Alas, it's the curtain of a 'Toussaint Louverture' (feat. Mushy Widmaier, Dadi Beauburn, Jean Caze, Papa Jube, Emmanuel Laine and Weedie Braimah) that let the horns blow, like Gillespie, for his home. There's no place like it. Nothing sounds as good. Not even Andre 3000 with a flute, but we'd love to see this Fugee and that Outkast play together under a new blue sun. Get your blue notes ready.

Playlist Picks: 'French Quarter (Feat. Harvey Mason Jr., Niia, Robert Glasper & Theo Croker)', 'Sugarcane & Watermelon (Feat. Godwin Louis, Harvey Mason Jr. & Weedie Braimah)', 'Harlem Nights (Feat. Axel Tosca, Emmanuel Laine, Emmanuel Najee, Godwin Louis, Melky Jean & Patrick Pelissier)'.

Spin This: Wycelf Jean - 'J'ouvert'.

BUSTA RHYMES and J DILLA'S due 'DILLAGENCE II'

Do The Bus A Beat

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

If you've been reading the run of reviews (not really so much anymore, we're just talking about music we love) over this New Music weekend, don't take us the wrong way. We love to hear new music from Prince, and in that regard, are thankful to his estate. However, with that being said, we just want it to be all fair and done right by the man who once wrote "slave" across his face whilst performing and having more problems with Warner Bros. than Michael Jordan when Bugs Bunny and co sucked him down a golf hole for 'Space Jam'.

In a great weekend for hip-hop collaborations (as we have Erykah Badu and The Alchemist's Abi and Alan for 'Before The World Blows') and concepts (the 'Q Theory' of Wyclef Jean's jazz album), Busta Rhymes knows how to do it the right way with the late, great J Dilla. Paying homage just like when he was on his 'New York S###' in his Dr. Dre epic era. The legendary energy M.C., with the best hype man in the biz in Spliff Star, has flipped the Flipmode Squad script recently. Coming back in a big way, when everyone else was staying home, in 2020 with his superior sequel 'Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath Of God'. But now, with government name Trevor Smith's first album since his 2023 'Blockbusta', he releases the sequel to his 2007 Mick Boogie mixtape 'Dillagence', with the official album 'Dillagence II'. Blessed with exclusive access to over 300 unreleased beats from J Dilla this sounds even bigger than the time he went sonic with Clinton Sparks for 'New Crack City'.

Busta Rhymes first collaborative LP since the Leader of the New School and the Flipmode Squad posse cut 'The Imperial', also gives us Dilla's first record since 'The Diary' entry of 2016 for the late, great, prolific producer who passed an unbelievable twenty years ago now, one year before the original 'Dillagence'. Not to mention, the 'Spazzz' single and the latest 'Talk Ya S###' with the one and only output of Lil' Wayne. That alien looking blue man group avatar in these twin videos has his mouth permanently dragging carpet in reaction to the rhymes that remain as raw and ready as ever. And just wait until you see 'This Woman', featuring another late, great in neo-soul pioneer D'Angelo, for the latest. With a vibe of the 'I Know What You Like' collaboration with Mariah Carey, music videos have never been this naturally beautiful. 

There are classic collaborations across the board for these tracks bordered by conversations with Ma Dukes. This album is so good even friend Tyrese Gibson is basically telling Busta to go f### himself on I.G. (now, that's one reel you don't want to have slid into your D.M's). La Reezy makes his 'Entry', whilst CIE and Trillian become 'Royalty'. C.S. Armstrong ('Drugs'), Watch The Duck ('Run Em Down') and T3 ('Lay Down') also make their mark alongside a legend who has always let others rock the mic, from the streets to the 'Great Day In Hip-Hop' icons, so long as they rock it right. The bigger names come later. Big Sean says he will 'Wait 4 U' with Bxby. And Talib Kweli, and Armstrong again, gets back with Busta for 'Love & War'. Yet it's the Oscar and Grammy collaboration of 'What We Got In Common' that sees that last word, and the great Grammy family of Jon Batiste lift the Rhymes name into bright lights that don't shine as bright as Busta's own style that steals that show. All before this 'Kingpin' knocks ya head off in a white suit for the daredevil. Alongside Anderson .Paak, and the only man who could ever match his grandiose guest feature, sick sixteens...Ludacris.

The green graffiti of this classic from The Conglomerate really rides the train of thought that's off the rails and right onto the charts here. Approved by the estate of J Dilla, and his mother, Maureen Yancey, these are the first Dilla beats to see the light of day since Raekwon was 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx' in his 2009 sequel. The long-standing professional relationship between Bus a Bus and Jay Dee goes all the way back to the original 'Extinction Level Event' of 2009, and this final world front still turns them up some. Being "extremely selective" with these three centuries of tracks, 'How The Boss Will Deliver' is different to his usual fast flow, giving you 'Back Pain, Chest Pain, Head Pain'. Until 'The Story Of The Old Man' is one you can't wait to hear by the hip-hop rocking throne.

'How You Want It', when it comes to this iconic wordsmith and one of his top-three producers, alongside Dre and A Tribe Called Quest icon Q-Tip who gave even more abstractions and light to 'The Big Bang Theory' of Smith's last second-wind. "Let me get them", he simply says. The real Rhymes come on the first single, 'Spazzz' when he spits, "Blunderin' fools that's wonderin' (Who's that?)/Bust Rhymes, reincarnatin' the boom-bap (B####)/Powerful blow, y'all should probably move back/Take notes, study my shit, school a new jack/Look, this what you do while I give you the new crack (Peep)/How I bang 'em and throw another loose stack/Bomb hard, you know it's the God when I spit, though." And that's not it. Your own diligence is due. Join and respect the conglomerate and throw a half-eaten donut up for James Dewitt Yancey. There's still nobody that could beat all Jay Dee, Dilla has left sprinkling across your speakers.

Playlist Picks: 'This Woman (Feat. D'Angelo)', 'Shoo', 'What We Got In Common (Feat. Common & Jon Batiste)'.

Spin This: Busta Rhymes - 'Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath Of God'.

J Dilla - 'Donuts'.

Listen to ERYKAH BADU & THE ALCHEMIST 'BEFORE THE WORLD BLOWS'

About To Blow

By TIM DAVID HARVEY 

Blown out of proportion. That's this week's New Music Friday for you. Headlined by the 'Timeless' nature of a Prince, very little promoted, but vault heavily raided, in what poses an ethical and moral dilemma. Yes, we still haven't heard music quite like this (even Celine Dion's version of 'With This Tear', can't quite match this), but should we? Prince is said to have not wanted any of his stored material to be released posthumously. So, should we even turn our ears to the 'Timeless' nature of his estates latest release? If you want something a little more respectful, Busta Rhymes gives us the sequel to his own due 'DILLAGENCE' with the late, great J. Dilla. And that's not the only creative collaboration pushing the envelope like Fugee Wyclef Jean's foray into jazz (the self-released 'Q Theory'). Abi and Alan are here, too.

Better known as neo-soul queen Erykah Badu and super-producer The Alchemist (Mobb Deep, Nas, and many, many more of rap's elite). 'Before The World Explodes (The Abi & Alan Experiment)' is finally here after years of high anticipation and long wait. Ready to explode across the world in all its experimental epic-ness. And this genius collaboration brings a few friends along for the ride, too. In this black and white film reel of shades and puckered up lips we have Creole Princess, Joi and Westside Gunn (also appearing on 'No I.D.') telling us 'I Just Play A Part'. Steve Lacy heading 'To The Moon' for a 'Plan C'. And the great Earl Sweatshirt putting his on for 'I Know That Man'. Not to mention, a pair of modern-day jazz greats in Thundercat ('They Ain't You') and Kamasi Washington for the closing 'Black Box' recording.

Yet on this sweet sixteen it's 'Valentine' (featuring DRAM) you'll fall for way before February. Reminding us of the Devin The Dude assisted 'Poisonous' by legendary underground hip-hop outfit, Dilated Peoples (also produced by Alch). All for an album that is a straight classic, not to mention one of the most cohesive and compelling of the calendar, from the moment the opening 'Echos' are heard. Baduzim making a stand and social statement about racism and sexism, saying "Ah, John Lennon said/They treat women like the n###s of the world, yes, he did." Now, read in-between those lines. Feeling like a trilogy conclusion to the 'New Amerykah' series that we last heard of a decade and a half ago with the classic and controversial (in the art of its amazing music video) 'Return Of The Ankh'. All as The Alchemist has been mixing creative concoctions with the genre and game's best of the best. But nothing, not even hearing Prince again, takes us higher than this. It's Erykah's earth once again.

A pair of apostles ('What The People Say', 'Hot BiBi') and a whole lot of magic ('Witch Doctor', 'Abracadabra'), this album amazes the senses it stirs. On 'Crossfade', Badu brings the beauty that comes with the art of storytelling and song-writing, singing, "It's like a cross between two animals/Two different breeds/He likes the sea/But that's just too cold for me/Don't go too deep (Ooh)/'Cause that's just too cold for me (Mm)." And that's just what Erica Abi Wright and Alan Daniel Maman are together. Forever in this always collabo. 'Next 2 U' holds you close like someone you'll have and se 'Next Lifetime'. Whilst 'Love Me Not' checks all the boxes, not merely picking at daisies. The chain is complete with the beautiful 'Breezy' that flows in with the wind of a changing season. "Her name was Breezy, she eats with chopsticks/She likes to party by herself/She drives a fast car and it's electric/She's at the red light, she's at the green light", Erica stops and goes. The experiment works, the two A's charge you up with something strong for a world on the brink of collapse. Nothing before, for the pair, has blown quite like this.

Playlist Picks: 'Echos', 'Witch Doctor', 'Valentine (Feat. DRAM)'.

Spin This: Erykah Badu - 'New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh'.

PRINCE is 'TIMELESS'

Time After Time

By TIM DAVID HARVEY 

Sadly, Dolly Parton passed away this week. As did the great Pennywise and 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' of Tim Curry, Optimus Prime himself, Peter Cullen and the red bob of Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kasuma. May they all rest peacefully. Leaving a legendary legacy like no other. From artistry to philanthropy. Dolly worked more than '9 To 5', as she warned us of 'Jolene' and reminded us that when it comes to Whitney Houston, and her, 'I Will Always Love You'. What a way to make a living. In Dollywood there are also reports of a secret song buried in a time capsule. One that can't be opened until 2045. And you just know that it's going to be something. Just like all of the posthumous Prince material unearthed following his own sad passing a decade ago. Starting with the raw, but ready demo of 'Piano and a Microphone 1983', back in 2017. 

We just hope it's as ethical as Parton's prolific output. Because remember, here's an Artist who once recorded an album with fellow rock God Lenny Kravitz only to muse on its completion that it was just for them. According to legend, and the tao of the symbol, of course. With that being said, however, from outstanding 'Originals' to the return of 'Welcome 2 America', it's been real, but has it been respectful? As the amazing anniversary editions of some of his greatest classics ('Diamonds and Pearls', 'Sign O The Times') have heralded even more hits. But hits that he wanted? With or without this, the artist formerly known as, is absolutely 'Timeless', regardless. And the latest posthumous album, and the first since 2021, of the same name, doesn't need to prove that. Just like the purple haze left in his wake of his iconic shadow on the album artwork cover canvas. From highlights like 'I Wonder', to a live version of 'How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore' (from Oakland, back in 2016, right before he left us), a future Alicia Keys hit that Rogers Nelson takes back, these eleven tracks, for some, are worth the half-decade wait...in platinum.

'With This Tear', that was movingly release, with an affecting music video the same, on the ten-year anniversary of Prince Rogers Nelson's death is the posthumous hit that soars to 'Moonbeam Levels'. Recorded on Celine Dion's eponymous, first English-language, 1992 album, right before 'The Colour Of Love' was telling us to 'Think Twice' in regards to 'The Power Of Love'. This is another example of Prince manically, like Monday, making moving music for others. Yet with all due respect to the late, great Sinéad O'Connor, nothing compares to how the purple one does it. The reign continues on the instantly catchy chorus of 'Tick, Tick, Bang', that feels like another dynamite hit. "You're just a bombshell/If I ever get it, ever get it/There's no tellin', no tellin' how long I'd last/Before I tick, tick, tick, bang/All over you." BOOM! Even if these worked lyrics are not suitable for radio.

It's just all so Prince from the 'I Am You' outset to the studio outro ode of 'Bestest Friend' for Michael. So sweet, yet still the coolest man this planet ever housed, never giving in to saccharine sentiments. Exploring eras over the decades, from the jazz age of the classic 'Calabama' to the time when the icon just went by a loving guitar symbol (for a heart of 'Stone'), this all fits together so Sakanaction seamlessly for a man who blended genres effortlessly, as music itself encompasses it all. Still, from the revolution of 'Heaven', to 'The Guilty Ones' single, it might be the estate itself that is guilty of not paying attention to 'Heaven' as many fans have distanced themselves from an album that has received very little promotion. Would Prince really want this? Didn't he state he didn't want posthumous albums released, as his vault was raided in what was really mere moments after his death? The artistry is amazing, but the artist himself is what is worth so much more. Don't cash in on the beautiful one that never sold out.

Playlist Picks: 'I Wonder', 'With This Tear', 'How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore? (Live @ Oakland, 4 March 2016)'.

Spin This: Prince - 'Piano and a Microphone 1983'.

'THE GOLD ALBUM' by WEEZER sets the standard

Goldmembers

By TIM DAVID HARVEY 

Mike Myers may looooove gooold. But he's got nothing on this. Rivers Cuomo appearing on Jimmy Fallon's late-night show with his legendary Weezer outfit. Not to mention, a touch of Goldfinger. Appearing like the Willy Wonka of gold members. All the way down to those geeky glasses that just look like the late, great Buddy Holly. Friends, Weezer are back, and they'll play Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka around St. Valentine's Day next year, too. Lovers, this is for you. In their spectrum, this platinum rock act has given us all the colours for their series of self-titled albums. Blue, green, red. Most recently, teal and black. It was only a matter of time that the band went gold. And how fitting to mark their 20th album, following the last full-length hard rock 'Van Weezer' and their four extended play 'SZSN's over 2022?

Their first album in four years doesn't betray their outrageous output. Eleven albums in the last decade since 'The White Album' for these nerdy Beatles with a Beach Boy twist. These California kings of alternative American rock give us 'The LA Sound' with their latest classic. A seventh-seal of self-titled bliss. Their first colour album since 2019. Even Ed Sheeran doesn't make mathematics quite like this. A cool, compelling and classic concept. We can't wait until Mister Rivers' Neighbourhood goes purple like Prince. The sweet single 'Shine' really glows like the latest 'C.E.O'. as Cuomo and Weezer have been inspired by working on a feature film together. All for the first "Weezer" Weezer album since 2021's 'OK Human' coming out of COVID. Rivers Cuomo, Patrick Wilson, Brian Bell and Scott Shriner are back working together again. And this time they bring Wednesday (the North Carolina band, not Jenna Ortega) along to this New Music Friday for the instant classic collaboration of 'We Might As Well Be Strangers'.

That should be enough to lift these legends next to fellow one Brandon Flowers, sans Killers, as these thrashers welcome a wonderful weekend with Leon Bridges giving us the second act of his forthcoming album 'Happiness Anytime', set for the fall. Box-sets and Broadway residencies may have been cancelled, but this is what we really want to see. Weezer doing what they do best. Even if, Rivers runs deep, saying it best, "Cranking out another nineties jam/Wish I could do something new/But nobody wants to hear that/They just want the classics/You can't blame 'em, really/There's something special about your early s###." 'The Show Must Go On' like that showstopper. And you'll 'Say Yes' the minute you let this Tower Records CD play. Because let's take it back to the good old days when albums were all about breaking out the booklet as you lifted the lid and heard that sound of pressing the disc into the tray. The red and yellow album.

'Don't Make It Weird', Goldie says as he sings "I was walking down Montana/When I bumped into a lady that I know/I tried to make small talk/And then it got weird, yo." 'Hoops' is balling for your ears as it rings out. Whilst 'Nowhere' goes everywhere like the storm drains. Flowing with lyrics like, "I just wanna sit with you/If the grass is green and the sky is blue/It's enough for me/I just wanna sit with you/If the grass is green and the sky is blue/It's enough for me/Is it enough for you?" Because that, ladies and gentlemen, is love and life itself. The kind of California dreamin' for all you mamas and papas that has you 'Up In The Clouds' like, "dissolving into the night." Because even after all, "every Adam will pass away/No matter how hard you pray." Maybe it's about "getting lost in thе stratosphere/While еverybody is fake sincere." As Cali' as the Chili's, Weezer are about to go Hollywood with Keanu Reeves, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Johnny Knoxville for our generation. They've already been living in Beverly Hills, but in these LA times, there's no place like home. And for Weezer, that's back together. That's the gold. What a rush! As good as.

Playlist Picks: 'Shine Again', 'We Might As Well Be Strangers (Featuring Wednesday)', 'The LA Sound'.

Spin This: Weezer - 'Weezer (The White Album)'

'THRASHER' BRANDON FLOWERS continues to bloom with killer solo career

Welcome To Fabulous...Nashville

By TIM DAVID HARVEY 

Sin City to Music City, U.S.A. In-between scoring 'Direct Hits' with The Killers ('Read My Mind', 'Human', literally the first half of their 'Hot Fuss' debut album), Brandon Flowers has given us some successful solo sojourns. Back in 2010, 'Flamingo', named after the road in Brandon's Las Vegas hometown that also houses the infamous Sam's Town Casino (you know the name), was a compelling, credible classic. A darker, killer turn featuring the singles 'Crossfire', 'Only The Young', 'Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts'. Not to mention serious standouts, including 'Hard Enough' (featuring Jenny Lewis), 'Playing With Fire' and 'On The Floor'.

A half-decade later, the style was switched up for this new romantic with 'The Desired Effect' of rolled-up suit-sleeves, like a Miami Vice beat cop waving Morrisey flowers. 'Lonely Town', 'I Can Change', 'Still Want You' and 'Can't Deny My Love' hit the jukebox. Whereas 'Between Me & You', 'Never Get You Right' and 'Diggin' Up The Heart' had yours. Now, over a decade later, with 'Tiger Blood' in his veins, shadowboxing in black and white for some album artwork that looks halfway between the desert and Music Row, Brandon is back by himself as a 'Thrasher'. But don't let that name or photo box you silly, this is no hard as nails album. Instead, the soft rock king, this side of Springsteen, returns to the country roots of American music. 

The opening track of his debut album was a sign. 'Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas'. And there are mirages of that here in a lost 'Paradise'. Otherwise he has 'Plans' on hitting the road, like the awe-inspiring lyric video of a real, great America. On this top ten closer, 'An American Dream', Flowers takes you further into the groundwork of those Americana aspirations, but it's on 'Miss Americana', that is not about Taylor Swift, even if this is Nashville, where things take a darker turn. "You know the messed up thing/If the truth be told/Grown men have noticed me/Since I was 12 years old/It always made me feel/Like some kind of prize/I guess I saw my worth/Through their porno eyes/If Jesus really suffered/And paid for all this sin/Then why do we still feel it/Again and again?" The 'Battle Born' prize-fighter scrapping for those who didn't have a voice...until they heard it in song, like scripture.

From the influence introduced on 'Does It Ever Cross Your Mind?', Brandon has a holy one to bear as his arms reach out for something more. Richer and deeper in his own solo career which he could have started all by himself. We love The Killer inside him. It's actually been another half-decade since the 'Pressure Machine' came in hot off the heels of 'Imploding The Mirage'. And we can't believe it's just been shy of a decade since 'Wonderful Wonderful'. Yet The Killers have had so many members come and go, it's almost like a solo story now. Nevada's own goes it alone on 'One Of Us', but has a whole legion of fans across the strip following him to a different Broadway from the one you know in the Big Apple.

Flowers already gave us the tale of 'Tyson vs. Douglas' and he continues that sport synergy on 'Angel' about a big hitter on the diamond. "Angel took the cross hanging 'round his neck/Pressed it against his lips/He’s batting over .500 this year/And there’s talk of scouts making trips/There's a girl who just moved in down the street/From deeper in the southwest/His uncles all warned him about messing with white girls/But he always liked them the best." The storytelling is as sublime as the Bruce who he knows best, as in these Badlands, Brandon finds 'The Red Ground' and a love that's ashes to ashes with the way it's starting to treat you good. Singing "When you done built a wall/Clear around your heart/The echoes of the past ring out/And ricochet/But you’re shooting like a star/So far from your home/Should’vе cut yourself loose/A long time ago" to the dust.

On the same New Music Friday where Weezer finally give us 'The Gold Album' for their standards, and Leon Bridges offers up part two of his forthcoming 'Happiness Anytime' album pursuit next month, this wrangler is one you'll put your bootcut jeans on for 'In A Heartbeat'. Those unmistakable vocals choking back the tears we hear with lines like "Me and Katie, we go all the way back to 1993/She was stubborn as a bull, she was beautiful to me/When you’re that age all you want is for to be women and men/But opened eyes get a front row glimpse into the end/She showed me the untouchable world/In the still of my backseat." Flowers' pop has always known how to sing about sin, but now this Mormon is in another part of the country, the terrain remains the same. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness we can only find in love. Whether that's for your brother or for yourself. Brandon has always known how to kill it. But he's never been this alive.

Playlist Picks: 'Paradise', 'Miss Americana', 'An American Dream'.

Spin This: Brandon Flowers - 'Flamingo'.

PHOEBE BRIDGERS finds new ground in a 'LOST WEEKEND'

The Weekend

By TIM DAVID HARVEY 

May Pang had a professional and personal relationship with John Lennon, between 1973 and 1975, during the working-class hero's brief break from artist Yoko Ono. The fellow Plastic Ono Band leader dubbed this departure their "lost weekend".

This also serves as the same name of  'Stranger In The Alps', indie folk rocker Phoebe Bridgers' third album. And her first in six years (just three if you count 'The Record', and 'The Rest', for her Boygenius supergroup with Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker) since she turned into 'The Punisher' like Jon Bernthal. And no, it has nothing to do with the fact that her former fiancée, ('Normal People' and 'Gladiator II' star Paul Mescal) is about to play Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes' Beatles biopics. Sure, there are lyrics to go here about the breakdown of that relationship, referencing the 'Aftersun' and 'All Of Us Strangers' actor's new love in singer/songwriter Gracie Abrams (whose own album came out a few weeks back). Yet these are the artist's own personal and powerful brushstrokes of beauty in the break. Sure, she's putting them out into the world, but they are still her business. Swifties, back down! Besides, Jack Antonoff is on this.

What critics and fans alike should really look at, in this magnificent new record that now Bridgers the gap with a big-three, is the new Americana ground Phoebe finds in this ambient folktronica age that is all hers. From the alps, to screaming 'I Know The End', whilst making out with a senior in her perfect 'Punisher' conclusion. Wearing the bones of her own black, superhero costume, this ghost works the machine on this Dead Oceans album. One that really swims in another year of 'Arirang' BTS domination. All you have to hear is the distorted opening vocal of 'The Outside' to see that Phoebe Bridgers is not playing around. "Crying in a suit and tie/But you should see the other guy/One more time for old time's sake/I’ll watch him get carried away/Fist through the drywall/I'm frozen in place/But not afraid." What more can you say?

Same song for the 'Lost Boys' lead single for all you Peter Pans. No Kiefer vampire, but an Elfin Bridgers role playing in the park, like Shakespeare (cue Robert Downey's "doth mother know"), with new 'Superman' Jimmy Olsen, Skyler Gisondo, all the way to the forest building of a 'Minecraft' like video game. Not to mention the 8-bit beat for the 'Kyoto' singer. "On a motorbike, doing 90 in a 55/To another life/Where they make you cut your hair/Impatient with a rifle and your papers/Weightless but not scared." Knights and roundtables, it's one of her chainmail strongest yet. You'll be singing along like all the other singles that flow as perfectly as riding around your local area in a suit and tie on a scooter.

Driving through alien rays in classic American muscle, Phoebe continues to strum acoustic for all her friends on some of the best cuts you'll hear in years...from any artist. Navigating love and loss, not to mention the perils of fame, this is Phoebe's most personal and profound project yet. Dealing with the death of her father Tony Bridgers. You can hear his voice on a voicemail for the moving 'Never Going Back!" backed by a banjo. But it's on the best of the album, 'Still Standing' were Tony really gets his dedication. "I wasn't too young to understand/I just didn't think it was so bad/And it wasn't, in a way/And now there is nothing/You're back to the ocean, burning red/I can't imagine you dead/But you are every day/Thank you for everything." Pain, purity, and the absolute beauty of family that lives on in the spirit of soul. And the art of this album.

So, focus on that, and hug your own like coach Doc Rivers said in last weekend's Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement speech. Whilst everyone else is picking apart the grace of 'The Governor's Waltz' and shining a light on that "hiding in the bathroom like Shelley Duvall" lyric. We all have those moments...not matter who we are. And in the same week where we failed to save more heroes, we should save more face, theirs and our own. Especially in this day and age of lukewarm "takes" and internet takedowns. So, put away those phones, like the in concert protocols that are about to happen on 'The Lost Tour'. I can attest, after seeing her in Tokyo's Zepp a few weeks shy of the Boygenius release in 2023, that it's a show like no other. Taking it to churches in London, like Hozier, the 'Panorama' LA storm drain lyric video (featuring Jake Minch 'Twice' interpolations) and the bright but brittle 'Liberty Tree' will look (yes, look) and sound amazing in this horn 'Haunted' house.

From 'Bobby' dedications ("Now I sleep in your shirts and you live in my house/You sing in the shower, I talk to myself"), to album title-tracks that sample Phil Lansky's idle chatter, this 'Lost Weekend' should be found on your turntables (with a 'Best Dressed' bonus) and playlists. All the way to the raw reprise in curtain concluding closing. 'Kill Me' will floor you. 'Lost Parade' is signature and sublime. Whilst new single 'I Can't Wait' and the made for a movie, moving 'Other Plans' should really put yours on hold, because this can't. 'As Above' and so below in all its atmospheric beauty helps bring this album home. "Trying not to look down/Making faces at a kid on the plane/Trying not to freak out/About bein' a couple days late/Started watchin' a movie/One where they go back in time/And it got to me/I don't know why." You know when you're airborne for so long and, in-between red eyes and that damn dry mouth that just can't help stomach airplane food, those fleeting moments that feel like forever up there help you become free from everything beneath you? Yeah? Well, this album is just like that. And you won't want to come down. So, don't look.

Ladies and gentlemen...the 'Lost Weekend'.

Playlist Picks: 'Lost Boys', 'The Governor's Waltz', 'Still Standing'.

Spin This: Boygenius - 'The Record'.