Esperanza Spalding just dropped a new single from her upcoming experimental album “Emily’s D+ Evolution” called “Good Lava” and I’m probably too perplexed to react right now (in a good way, of course). This goes to show that are girl is ready to stretch boundaries in music, which she already had been, but this is taking it to the next level. It’s almost like exploring a new way home, and that is always a great thing because you always find something exciting along the way!
So here are my thoughts on the new single – This Is quite a leap from what we have heard from her so far. Visually and musically the song is explorative and inventive. We see Esperanza in a new avatar both in terms of her appearance and her playing. The song fuses a lot of rock elements with traditional jazz structures, and one doesn’t have to stretch too much in noticing that it is all jazz under the surface, even though avant-garde describes it perfectly.
The composition is a vibrant riot of changing harmonies and a total beats extravaganza. Even though it does maintain a hook, Good Lava can unexpectedly transport you anywhere (Anywhere good, that is). According to Esperanza the song has been written with education and energy in mind and yes, we can see that it is bustling with some high octane energy. She’s the beast on the bass as always, and the tight explorative bass is the hero of the track as she simultaneously keeps hitting insane octaves with her vocals.
Good Lava serves as the album opener for the new work on which Spalding has been working for over a year now while she has been playing with her trio simultaneously. Yet another notable contemporary jazz guitar player, Matthew Stevens has collaborated on the album. That being said, this sure looks like the contemporary jazz album of the year to look forward to!
