Magdalene

Masterful, neo-baroque, futuristic R&B. The second full-length from 31-year-old Tahliah Debrett Barnett (FKA Twigs), a former backup dancer and teenage wizkid producer known for her Avant-garde, experimental approach. With this sophomore full-length, FKA Twigs explores themes of heartbreak and hope in her characteristically flawless operatic vocals, alongside haunting, heavily-textured electronic beats. Self-produced, with assistance from Nicholas Jaar and Oneohtrix Point Never (and also Skrillex and Benny Blanco although it sounds anything but mainstream). An amazing release, perfect for KZSU.

FCC: 7,8
TRY: 5,3,4,9
RIYL: Acra, DAWN, Grimes, Kelela, ANOHNI

(1.) (5:01) Fragile operatic vocals juxtaposed against resonating, rumbling percussion. Glitchy experimental breakdown with snippets of piano. Amazing emotional depth (2.) (3:45) Sparse, futuristic piano ballad with an amazing choppy electronic backbone and masterful orchestral swells (*3.) (4:16) Wistful love song with gorgeous vocals and a sophisticated IDM beat (*4.) (4:03) (FCC) Bouncy cyborg trap beat. Future finally makes it into the A-File(!) and contributes some top-notch verses. What a time to be alive (*5.) (5:21) Twinkle piano intro. Grand, majestic falsetto vocals over an airy beat. Incredible(6.) (3:59) Chaotic clamoring beat with pitched up vocal samples (7.) (4:33) (FCC) Cascading percussion, shimmering synth lines and emotional R&B vocals (8.) (4:31) (FCC) Slow eerie soundbed of synth and manipulated strings. Gorgeous breathy vocals (*9.) (3:24) Sweeping, emotional ballad