Much has been made about the creative freedom Tinashe reclaimed since exiting her record deal with RCA, and following 2021's coming out party 333, the artist's ascendance continues with BB/ANG3L. Here, the multi-hyphenate swings between her proven pop strengths and experimental electronics, flights of celestial creation tied together by immaculate vocal production.
In terms of the former, rich melodic lines anchor "Needs" and "None of My Business," while for the latter, the airy, romping "Uh Huh" and the garage free fall of "Gravity" convey a stunning weightlessness. The lean, seven-track release is bookended by a pair of urgent collaborations with Machinedrum — heralding the start of an exciting new partnership with more on the way — while the Nosaj Thing and Scoop DeVille-produced "Talk to Me Nice" is a triumph in itself, as the vocalist affirms amidst impressionistic keys and detailed percussion, "Couldn't be fake if I tried." Is heaven real? Is this what it sounds like? If not, it's surely steps away.
(Independent)In terms of the former, rich melodic lines anchor "Needs" and "None of My Business," while for the latter, the airy, romping "Uh Huh" and the garage free fall of "Gravity" convey a stunning weightlessness. The lean, seven-track release is bookended by a pair of urgent collaborations with Machinedrum — heralding the start of an exciting new partnership with more on the way — while the Nosaj Thing and Scoop DeVille-produced "Talk to Me Nice" is a triumph in itself, as the vocalist affirms amidst impressionistic keys and detailed percussion, "Couldn't be fake if I tried." Is heaven real? Is this what it sounds like? If not, it's surely steps away.
