Day: June 5, 2017

Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Moniquea libertates her new album, “Blackwavefunk”. Moniquea established herself as one of the foremost female artists in the modern funk scene with her 2014 MoFunk Records debut album “Yes No Maybe”. For her followup, she continues exploring and expanding upon the boogie/modern soul sound of her debut, and at the same time, ventures bravely into a new sound inspired by the new wave and synthpop sounds of the 80’s. Thus, the album title: “Blackwavefunk”. “Blackwavefunk” sweeps through a spectrum of sounds and feels. The lead single, “Checkin’ Out,” channels the ‘street funk’ sound that Moniquea’s native California is known for, while “I Just Don’t Know” slows the pace and mood to offer up one of the few true downtempo love songs of the genre. “When You Are Away,” “Make You Feel My Love” (feat. Brian Ellis) and “Why Can’t You See” offer sleek, sexy modern soul soundscapes while the Turquoise Summers-produced “Knew It” thumps with a menacing g-funk bounce. Finally, the wave in “Blackwavefunk” reveals itself on the eccentric “Check Your Sources”, an anthem about sordid speculation and grievous gossip, over a musical backdrop that sounds like 1999-era Prince and Tha Dogg Pound somehow achieved perfect sonic fusion. The album’s closer, “Famous”, takes it further and gives a glimpse of what it might sound like if Bernie Worrell played synth basslines for OMD or Pet Shop Boys. The entire album can be streamed below or purchased directly via Bandcamp.