Vocalo Radio Release Roundup: November 2022
Written by Vocalo Radio on December 9, 2022
It’s the second-to-last Release Roundup of the year!
Even though most people are putting out their year-end recaps right about now, we couldn’t let our favorite releases from November get lost in the shuffle… check out what Team Vocalo had to say about the latest from artists we love, like Pivot Gang, Chance the Rapper and more!
Pivot Gang – “911”
Released Nov. 2
Pivot Gang’s new single “911” is undoubtedly on our radar this month. The Chicago-based group is proving their collective flow with this track, as each member’s verse seamlessly passes between MFnMelo, Joseph Chilliams and Frsh Waters’ hard hitting rhymes and unique flow, and Saba further ties each verse together with an insanely catchy, melodic hook. Waters delivers an especially ear-catching verse as his staccato rap builds up and releases throughout giving way to Chilliams verse, the final verse of the song. The energy is high in Pivot Gang. Between their previous single “Aang” and this track, all we can wonder is… when is the new album dropping?
– Makenzie Creden
RELATED: Pivot Gang Takes Over Vocalo’s Airwaves Before John Walt Day
Various Artists – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From And Inspired By
Released Nov. 4
With the release of the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, a soundtrack was greatly anticipated. Composer Ludwig Göransson rises to the challenge of creating a piece of sonic art that represents both African and Mexican culture as showcased in the film. The score serves as an immersive experience, as Göransson blends the sound of traditional African and traditional Mexican music, bringing sounds never before heard on the big screen. Collaborating with music archeologists in Mexico, the team created sounds and music close to what the sounds of the ancient Mayan civilization would have sounded like. The result is a soundtrack that pays homage to both the current and traditional sounds of two great cultures… not even to mention the tracks from Rihanna, Tems and Burna Boy!
– Joshua X. Miller
RELATED: The Reel Critic Reviews ‘Black Panther’ Sequel, ‘Wakanda Forever’
theMIND – Don’t Let It Go To Your Head (Deluxe)
Released Nov. 14
Nearly two years to the date following the initial release of Don’t Let It Go To Your Head, multi-talented musician theMIND dropped the album’s deluxe version this past month and gifted listeners with five new tracks tacked onto the end. I feel like since SZA’s Ctrl (Deluxe) was my pick the month of its release, it’s only fitting I’d give theMIND’s deluxe a shoutout — especially since SZA’s deluxe actually inspired theMIND to release his. Already masterful with infectious hip-hop tracks and R&B melodies, theMIND’s Don’t Let It Go To Your Head certainly didn’t need extra songs to earn Team Vocalo’s praise… but I’m not complaining! If you didn’t catch the original when it was released in 2020, now’s your chance to sit down and enjoy it in full, plus some brand new tracks featuring Da-P, femdot. and Renzell.
– Morgan Ciocca
RELATED: theMIND Breaks Down Deluxe Album on Vocalo
Chance the Rapper – “YAH Know”
Released Nov. 17
Chance is back again with his fourth multidisciplinary single! This time teaming up with Ghanaian artist King Promise to create a dance-worthy Afrobeats track with a Whitney Houston sample — and, of course, bringing in visual artist Mia Lee for the album art. The track and its video serve as a cultural exchange between Ghana and Chicago, much like the upcoming Black Star Line Festival organized by Chance and Vic Mensa. This nearly six-minute track turns the energy up a notch from his past three singles, and sets the tone for the festival!
– Morgan Ciocca
RELATED: Chance the Rapper Drops Fourth Multidisciplinary Single “YAH Know”
Honey Dijon – Black Girl Magic
Released Nov. 18
Hot off the decks of Beyonce’s RENAISSANCE, Chicago-born DJ Honey Dijon left us with a house record that kept us dancing throughout the month of November. Her highly anticipated sophomore album Black Girl Magic is just as the title states: Black Girl Magic. The 15-track album gives us sexy, euphoric house bangers perfect for any club or self-love dance party. This album has more substance than its electronic beats and grooves alone: the nods to jazz, the slight disco moments, but most importantly the message. Opening with “Love Is,” a stripped-down, spoken word and piano piece centering around different manifestations of love. This theme is evident throughout the album’s lyrics: self-love, queer love, Black love. Black Girl Magic is the soulful, meaningful house album you’ve been looking for.
– Makenzie Creden
Introduction written by Morgan Ciocca
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