There’s a lot going on right now Capital Bra. The Berlin rapper, whose real name is Vladislav Balovatsky, is already knee-deep in current affairs in terms of his vita and career: born in Russia, but grew up in the Ukraine for the most part and is therefore equipped with the nationality of the country. So probably a possible bridge builder. In any case: Right now he’s with me Against K and Kalazh44 released the single “Stop Wars”. Helpless lines: “We’ve never seen borders between us / But suddenly there are borders / Suddenly bombs are falling on people / And suddenly tanks are driving, suddenly fighter jets are flying / Suddenly you see children with weapons from the Darknet.” The song is also an interesting lesson in how music can continually change now, even post-release. Originally the chorus was a sample of the Irish Civil War song “Sunday Bloody Sunday”. U2 listen. In a later version, the singing was then replaced: “Freedom time” is sung there now.
A new album by Capital Bra is also scheduled for release on Friday. According to everything you can hear so far, “8” (Bra Musik) is unimaginatively updated street rap frippery: gloomy nasty, synth-milled beats. In the basic mood a lot of grey. Some lovesickness. Lots of watch splurge. And the usual petty criminals’ twaddle, here in the rudest cheek-cheek-cake rhymes: “Better not talk to the cops / otherwise we’ll take you, whoops.”
Then maybe better Dolly Parton. Doesn’t reinvent the world directly, but at least gives it a little strength: “Is it easy? / No it ain’t / Can I fix? / No, I can’t / But I sure ain’t gonna take it lyin’ down.” Everything difficult. Nothing to solve. But who would give up and stretch out because of that. “Woman Up (And Take It Like a Man)” is the name of the song that is part of the album “Run Rose Run” (Butterfly Records), which marches very happily against the circumstances. A, you don’t have to beat around the bush, very archetypal, very American country work. Bit of a bluegrass touch, here and there a couple of swinging fiddles and really sleek choirs. Plus one or two really unbearable ballads, but also the song that should apply from here on out for the coming weeks – at least: “Dark Night, Bright Future”. And this is how it sounds: “Forgiveness is a magic wand, makes things disappear / Kindness wipes away regret, hope can conquer fear.” Are these calendar sayings? heavens, yes. It’s country. It’s America’s hit. But you take what you can get these days. Or? So!
Beth Hartthe great voice of California blues-rock Led Zeppelin, the massive British blues rock band, an album. So what does devotion mean: On “A Tribute to Led Zeppelin” (Provogue /Mascot Label Group) you will find the biggest, biggest hits of the band – sung very enthusiastically, a lot of mojo in the voice and maybe also something like anger. So it’s also very true to the original, and one could of course ask oneself why one shouldn’t simply put on a Zeppelin best-of? Well, that’s right. On the other hand, it’s a bit fun to see a woman in the legs apart can keep up with the original rock reptile Robert Plant.
And with that, finally, the pop confusion of the week. Is finally strange: of all things diploma. And of all things with the first solo album in 18 years. The producer, who otherwise brings something like a signature sound to electro, an unmistakable style. So far, a few bars were enough for you to know (whether you liked it or not) that it could only be him. That was at Major Lazer so, and even more so with the truly brilliant all-star formation LSD (along with the absolutely gorgeous Sia and singer Labrinth). Most recently as Thomas Wesley, the alias under which he brings country and dance music together, fantastically, coherently – almost compellingly. And on “Diplo” (Warner Music) it suddenly sounds very confusingly interchangeable. Surprisingly obvious production and songwriting ideas. Insanely expected drama in the arrangements. Very ordinary sounds. You may be wrong and there are depths to this album that you will only fathom with time. That would be great. And until then, for example, “Heaven” from the LSD album would be an urgent check-in tip.