Marian Hill: Act One Vinyl 2LP

Jeremy Lloyd is the producer, and Samantha Gongol handles the vocals. Together they make up Mariah Hill, and Act One is the duos debut full-length. The album is modern yet classic, combining digital, bass-heavy programming with melodic vocals informed by r&b, blues and jazz singers of past and present. Despite the far-ranging influences, Lloyd and Gongol present a coherent sounda forward looking brand of electronic pop. Check out the opener Down (that beat drop!), or Talk to Me characterized by the mutated brass stabs. Mistaken also stands out thanks to a solid guest appearance by Steve Davit, an improvisational jazz musician, and other tracks to check out include Take Your Time, Good, and Same Thing.

• music label: Republic Records 2016

reviewed by donut savage 06/2016