New Music – Winnipeg Free Press

ROCK

Leon Bridges

Leon (Columbia)

The Texas singer Leon Bridges with his sweet voice made a name for himself in 2015 Return homea debut album that established him as a '60s soul revivalist. On his next two records, Bridges made several stylistic advances – embracing the funk and disco developments of the 1970s and 1980s and producing at least one all-time classic Over and beyond.

He also became a top collaborator with the likes of Kacey Musgraves and John Mayer and the addictive 2021 song. Texas Sunrecorded with atmospheric instrumentalists Khruangbin, introduced Bridges to a whole new audience of Millennial and Gen-Z stoners.

On his fourth record, the 35-year-old, working with Musgraves producers Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian, has opened up Bridges' music to manifest the vast spaces of Bridges' hometown of Fort Worth, mixing and fattening piano, synthesizers and strings Mid-tempo grooves (even a pedal steel guitar) to create what should be called chillout soul.

★★★★ out of five

Stream: This is what I love; Laredo; Panther City

Good luck! Black Emperor

No title, as of February 13, 2024, 28,340 dead (Constellation)

Yes, the title is dark, but Montreal's JIBE is a self-professed political and activist collective, and there has always been an element of the apocalyptic in their captivating instrumental music, often described as chamber rock or post-rock. Despite the group's worldview, JIBE always opens its shows with an unrecorded piece they call ” Hope droneas a projection of the word “HOPE” flickers on a screen behind it, it seems obvious that the ten members of the group believe in love and collective action and lose themselves in the profound catharsis of making beautiful noise.

This is how the six tracks or movements are created No title…can be perceived as aspirational – the sound of up to three electric guitars, two basses, two drums and a violin coming together to rejoice and reflect on the urgency of the moment.

★★★★ out of five

Stream: Raindrops cast in lead

–John Kendle

POP

James Bay

Constantly changing

(Republic)

Speaklike much of British troubadour James Bay's latest album, Constantly changingends with a rousing chorus sung over a guitar melody. To get there, he begins with a confession: “I don’t know how to talk to you/I need to tell you something true.”

The truth is that Bay is incredibly articulate. On the folk-style album, his fourth, the musician transforms lyrics into soulful screams or earnest encouragements over raw instrumentation.

The 34-year-old singer-songwriter first emerged over a decade ago and made waves in 2014 with his debut album. Chaos and that Quiet. His breakout hit, six times platinum Let it go – with its fingerpicked introduction and easy-to-sing-along chorus – has since surpassed 1.2 billion streams on Spotify.

Noah Kahan and the Lumineers join Bay on the spirited lead single. Awake all night, An entry into the “stomp and roar” canon that quickly conjures up images of live musicians jamming in a bar, around a campfire or in a garage.

Holly Humberstone, known for her atmospheric pop, pens the album's closer Air combat. Brandon Flowers of The Killers is co-author Simple distraction an apologetic love song with a killer bridge and an electric guitar melody. Bay emulates the delicate, whispery vocals of singer-songwriter Kevin Garrett Crystal clearwhich Garrett co-wrote.

Bay's strength as a songwriter is felt most deeply in the album's most emotional moments – like when Hope employs a chorus of backing vocals, turning a plea for optimism into a unified message.

What Constantly changing makes it clear that Bay's love of the craft – even in moments of tension – is expressed in his positivity.

★★★1/2 out of five

Stream: Lecture; Awake all night; Air combat

—Elsie Ryan, The Associated Press

JAZZ

Patricia Brennan Septet

Elongation at break (pyroclastic)

Mexican-born vibraphonist Patricia Brennan produced this spectacular masterpiece. Their septet here is a fantastic band with Brennan vibrating with electronics and marimba; Jon Irabagon on alto and sopranino saxophones; Mark Shim on tenor; Adam O'Farrill on trumpet; Kim Cass on bass; Marcus Gilmore on drums; and Mauricio Herrera on drums. With native and Latin American rhythms often taking center stage, the powerful base offers a veritable buffet of rhythmic variety that drives this album into relentless tension. Brennan says, “I wanted to push the music and the musicians almost to their limits.”

They are absolutely up to the challenge.

The opening track, Los Otros Yo (The Other Self), offers a driving selection of the various influences that shape her personality. The other selves merge seamlessly with a wild energy.

Throughout the album, the three horns are tightly wound or breathtaking one after the other. Often the complex melodies are played by the horns in unison at a tempo that explains Brennan's desire to push the musicians. The overall effect of the music is that it demands full attention at any tempo. It's obvious that you're listening to something that's totally worth it and you're 100 percent involved. The title track and 555which refers to a rhythmic progression of three beats divided by five, both feature standout solos from Shim.

Palo de Oros (Coin Suit) is introduced with an intro by bassist Cass before moving into changing time signatures with unison choruses and solos from Irabagon and O'Farrill.

This is an album that cannot be ignored or simply used as a background. His excitement is not negligible (nor should it be). Brennan establishes a groundbreaking publication here. Highly recommended.

★★★★★ out of five

Stream: Five Suns; Los Otros Yo

–Keith Black

CLASSIC

Mendelssohn: Elijah

London Symphony Orchestra (LSO Live)

LSO Live celebrates its 25th anniversary with this new recording of Mendelssohn's works Elijahwith the London Symphony Orchestra and its accompanying ensemble, the London Symphony Chorus (Mariana Rosas, conducting), including four soloists, all artfully conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano.

Originally premiered in 1846, the oratorio is based on the life of the Old Testament prophet Elijah and is considered one of the three greatest in the classical canon. It is divided episodically into two parts and is based on the life of the biblical prophet.

Grammy-winning Canadian bass-baritone Gerald Finley delights in the title role, with his dramatic flair evident in the opening declamation As the Lord God of Israel lives, to the final arioso, Because the mountains will disappear.

The soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha also shines in her recitative/aria as a widow and angel What do I have to do with you? before interlocking her voice with Finley in their subsequent duet. Mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly as the Angel and Queen (Jezebel) brings her darker tones to her final role The Lord has raised you up from among the peopleaccompanied by the chorus in tight, four-part harmonies.

An early highlight comes with tenor Allan Clayton in Obadiah's If with all your heart“, which is preceded by its natural recitative You people, tear your hearts apart as well as his second role as Ahab As the Lord God of Sabaoth liveshis soaring vocals merge seamlessly with Finley in the following chorus.

A special mention goes to Ewan Christian as a child; The sweet sounds of youth that never grows old from the former principal chorister of the Westminster Cathedral Choir in this satisfying addition to the oratorio discography.

★★★★1/2 out of five

Stream: As the Lord God of Israel lives; What do I have to do with you?

–Holly Harris