BILAL In Another Life

‘In Another Life’ was made in collaboration with eclectic producer and composer Adrian Younge. Although Bilal’s soul and jazz chops are clearly evident here, there is also an underground indie undertone running through many of the tracks, complete with agonised vocal acrobatics worthy of Thom Yorke. In fact, if Prince & Radiohead had made an album together, well, it would probably make a lot less musical sense than this does. From opening track ‘Sirens’ the lyrical subject matter of the album provides a timely and human reflection on the confusion and paranoia of modern life, asking Marvin’s age-old question, ‘What’s Going On?’

Heavyweight guest appearances come in the form of Def Jam’s Big K.R.I.T., who provides a brilliant verse on the fun, 80’s boogie inspired ‘Pleasure Toy’. Man of the moment Kendrick Lamar spits lyrical fire on frenetic anthem ‘Money Over Love’, while the brilliant Kimbra turns up on languid, sensual soul/jazz gem ‘Holding It Back’.