88 Keys And A Broken Heart

Kelela “Point Blank”

“Point Blank” is a breakup song in medias res, and listening to the lyrics can feel like overhearing an argument in passing and trying to sort out the details on the fly. Some of it is a little confusing – one can only hope that the guns and bullets mentioned are purely metaphorical – but mostly it comes down to a question Kelela sings in the first verse: “Why’s your love so bleak?” She sounds wounded and frustrated but not fully angry, which maybe has something to do with the admission in the bridge that the guy she’s singing to was pretty good in bed.

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Allison Russell featuring Kara Jackson, Denitia & Explore! Pop Choir “Cold April”

Allison Russell’s music largely exists in realms between genres – mostly country and R&B, but you can hear some pop and indie in the stew – but the connecting thread is an earnest, wholesome public radio vibe that can tip over into being a little off-putting. “Cold April” avoids that, which is a little surprising given that it’s an extremely optimistic song that features a children’s choir. But the melody is strong, and ultimately that can make me forgive the more syrupy aspects of the music.

Buy it from Bandcamp.