4. D’Angelo – Black Messiah

D’Angelo’s surprise album, Black Messiah, really shook up my year end list, but I’m so glad it’s out.  His first album in 14 years does not disappoint, it’s got everything you’d expect from the singer, infectious bass line grooves, layers on layers of amazing instrumentation, deep poetic lyrics, and spot on drums that keep everything together.  This album is focused more on the current race issues facing America today with lyrics like, “All we wanted was a chance to talk / ’stead we only got outlined in chalk / Feet have bled a million miles we’ve walked / Revealing at the end of the day, the charade.” The album as a whole is completely different than anything released this year, the closest album would maybe be Prince’s album Art Official Age.  It took D’Angelo almost 15 years to release new music but it was totally worth it.  I’m still left breathless after every listen.

https://soundcloud.com/dangelomusicofficial/sugah-daddy