This week’s guide is by CF Smith and contributors Neil G, Words By Shoaib, and Irfan Ayaan.
Each week at Twistedsoul, we showcase the finest new releases from across the globe. We scour Between The Cracks to bring you new albums that might may have flown under your radar. This week, we’re highlighting new albums from James Krichenia, Kokoroko, Tropos and more. Lend an ear to the music, and if it strikes a chord, show some love to the artists and labels by supporting them.
Albums
James Krivchenia – Performing Belief
James Krivchenia’s Performing Belief transforms environmental alchemy into hypnotic electronic jazz fusion. The prolific drummer-producer, known for his hyperactive Blood Karaoke, shifts gears dramatically on his debut for Planet Mu. Krivchenia constructs intricate rhythmic landscapes from field recordings of natural objects, logs, rocks, and found percussion, then weaves in synthesisers and drum machines to create what he calls rhythmic thickets. The album’s genius lies in its collaborators: electric bassist Sam Wilkes and double bassist Joshua Abrams ground these electronic explorations with deeply human, melodic voices. Their presence transforms potentially sterile digital constructions into breathing, organic compositions that blur the boundaries between programmed and performed music. Standout tracks like Sympathetic Magic and Filling In The Swamp showcase this unique alchemy perfectly, where Krivchenia’s sampled natural percussion creates lush matrices that pulse with life while the bassists provide centring melodic anchors. This is boundary-pushing electronic music with jazz sensibilities, essential listening for adventurous ears seeking fresh approaches to rhythm and texture. – IA
Kokoroko – Tuff Times Never Last
Kokoroko’s sonic palette explodes with vibrant new colours on their sophomore effort, proving that tough times indeed never last. Three years after their chart-climbing debut, this London septet has fearlessly expanded beyond their Afrobeat-jazz foundation. Co-leaders Sheila Maurice-Grey and Onome Edgeworth guide the band through a kaleidoscopic journey that weaves British 80s R&B, neo-soul, West African disco, and lovers rock into their established framework. The result feels both evolutionary and revolutionary. Sweetie perfectly encapsulates this growth, a wonky, horn-driven tribute to West African disco that bridges their past and future. Meanwhile, Three Piece Suit featuring Azekel contemplates ancestry and lineage with profound emotional weight. The album’s 11 tracks explore community, sensuality, and perseverance with the seasoned musicianship that defines Kokoroko’s artistry. This is jazz without boundaries, a celebration of London’s summer nights and black resilience that positions Kokoroko as essential voices in contemporary music’s ongoing evolution. – IA
Tropos – Switches
The result of a pure collaborative effort, “Switches” is the newest album from the Brooklyn-based musical collective Tropos, a stellar example of the limitless potential of creativity when talented minds come together to create sonic art. Every member of Tropos contributed their ideas to the production of the nine-track album, and this collaborative approach paved the way for a one-of-a-kind record that highlights the individual strengths and musical identities of each artist. Despite the variation in input, Switches retains a wonderful sense of cohesion with a tightness that flows effortlessly, serving as a testament to Tropos’ chemistry as a collective and their shared vision. – NG
Alina Bzhezhinska & Tulshi – Whispers of Rain
Whispers of Rain is a stunning collaboration between harpist Alina Bzhezhinska and Ibiza-based producer Tulshi, blending ambient electronica with spiritual jazz in a meditative, emotionally rich journey. The album’s eight tracks move like weather, fluid, cyclical, and deeply reflective. Inspired by the natural rhythms of Ibiza, the duo crafts a soundscape that feels at once intimate and expansive. ‘Across the Sea’ stands out for its emotional depth, glitch textures mimic ocean waves while harp glissandi gently ebb and flow, capturing the ache of distance and the bittersweet arrival of new belonging. ‘Warm Days, Cold Nights’, another pre-release highlight, drapes earthy folk tones in brooding synths, echoing the emotional shifts of travel and transition. Throughout, Bzhezhinska’s harp flows with instinctive clarity, while Tulshi’s restraint as a producer allows the compositions to breathe. What began as an improvised session evolved into something deeply intentional: music that doesn’t just evoke memories, but creates a space for them to be felt. Quietly transformative, Whispers of Rain invites listeners to dwell in the stillness between the drops. – WBS
Zoh Amba – Sun
‘Sun’, the latest album release by 25-year-old superstar saxophonist Zoh Amba, offers an unforgettable experience that takes listeners on an extensive look into the spirituality of the musician, interpreted through the jazzy spontaneity of her powerful compositions. Collaborating with Caroline Morton (bass), Lex Korton (piano), and Miguel Marcel Russel (percussion), the album is a product of the carefully crafted synergy between the musicians. interwining their individual takes into a cohesive whole, which both brings out and elevates the inner theme of the album into even celestial heights. With each track in the album showcasing Zoh Amba’s mastery of the saxophone, Sun is a wonderful expression of music as a conduit for reaching into the sacred beyond. – NG
Jonny Nash – Once Was Ours Forever
For more than a decade, Jonny Nash has been delighting us with his smooth fusion of folk, ambient jazz, and dream pop. His airy atmospherics are just too irresistible to stay away from! In his latest release, ‘Once Was Ours Forever,’ clean finger-picked guitar lines from Nash lead the way as he brings together a fabulous cast, each contributing their own unique flair. Canadian saxophonist Joseph Shabason graces ‘Angel’ with his subtle swells. Shoei Ikeda (Maya Ongaku) also joins in with his sax skills, while Tomo Katsurada (formerly of Kikagaku Moyo) adds the cello touch. Tokyo acid folk artist Satomimagae contributes her whispery vocals to ‘Rain Song.’ Nash has released some truly great albums- here’s another. Take a listen and be enchanted. – CFS
