Yuvi Havkin's second Stones Throw full-length maintains the dreamy feel of his previous releases, but it seems far more focused, even as the producer's scope has clearly expanded. He titled it Spiritual Sleaze as the album is highly informed by his yoga and meditation practices, yet it's "dirty and bouncy" compared to his past work. While there's nothing ribald about the release, the grooves are considerably firmer this time around, and it doesn't always feel like the tracks could just slip away or dissolve at any moment. While Rejoicer's music always resists categorization, encompassing jazz, funk, ambient, and psychedelia, Spiritual Sleaze feels closer to R&B than hip-hop, particularly due to the presence of guest vocalists on several tracks. KerenDun's gentle flow complements the bubbly thump of "Song for the Spirit Flights" and the calmly surreal "My Beans," while iogi's morning reflections on "Up in Flames" sound like Toro y Moi delving into the world of library music. The standout is "Lemons," a slick, clap-heavy beat with bold, questioning vocals by Jenny Penkin. She also confronts mortality on the sublime "Earth Talk," which features trippy bass work by Sam Wilkes. "Third Eye Jungle Run" is the record's most up-tempo track, with a light, steady beat caressed by smooth guitars and cascading violins. Spiritual Sleaze is never a demanding listen, but it's far more thought-provoking than most music that's this easy to chill out to. It's also a significant step up for Rejoicer, and it's his most inspired, accomplished work thus far.
© Paul Simpson /TiVo
*Display the same releases but with different versions or bar codes.