COLUMBIA RECORDS
Though the phrase ‘hive mind’ is everywhere nowadays, the phenomenon is sorely lacking. Mob culture’s on the rise, and with it the dominance of unruly, unthinking and uncharitable sentiments. Thank God, then, for The Internet – rather than, obviously, the internet – whose members, following solo projects, have reunited for the Grammynominated band’s fourth album, a blissful, inventive hour of neo-soul distinguished by harmonious singlemindedness. It Gets Better (With Time) glides effortlessly between Syd’s delicious vocals and Steve Lacy’s laidback raps, and Wanna Be builds on a nimble guitar riff like a lost Erykah Badu classic. Bravo, meanwhile, sounds like Minnie Riperton mumbling peacefully in her sleep, while Beat Goes On indulges the group’s jazz inclinations. If Hive Mind seems backward-looking in terms of inspirations, it still sounds timeless and deliriously dizzy (if relaxed), never more than with Roll (Burbank Funk)’s brilliantly simple grind, La Di Da’s diaphanous R&B, or the seductive, demure Stay The Night. Wyndham Wallace
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Sep-18
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