A funky, genre-spanning album
Former Kyuss band member Brant Bjork has released his 13th album as a solo artist, Mankind Woman. It’s a funky album that spans beyond the genre of rock, thanks to groovy guitar riffs and Bjork’s adaptable vocals. It’s a somewhat psychedelic album and seems to draw on musical elements most seen in classic rock while remaining modern and relevant. In the press release announcing the album, Mankind Woman is described as modern classic, and that is features some of the deepest lyrics that Bjork has had yet. Thanks to its laidback sound and genre-spanning music, it’s definitely an album that is sure to be an instant classic for fans both old and new.
Mankind Woman begins with “Chocolatize,” a rock song with some soulful vocals that give it a nice twist. “Chocolatize” served as the single for the album, and it was definitely a great choice for that honor. Though maybe not the best song off of the album, it does contain all of the best elements of Bjork’s funky style of rock, including some blues guitar and wavering vocals. It introduces the album perfectly, setting the listeners up for what is sure to be an unexpected ride for them. The second song on the album is “Lazy Wizards,” a slower song with some impressive guitar riffs. The guitar is what makes this song stand out, as it serves as both a background and an answer to Bjork’s low-key vocals.
Some other notable songs on the album are the title track “Mankind Woman,” “Swagger & Sway” and “1968.” “Mankind Woman” begins with a soulful call-and-response guitar riff/drum beat. Bjork’s vocals stand out against the blue influenced instrumentals as he sings in a more traditional rock style, his vocals reflecting his ’90s rock past. “Swagger & Sway” is a more psychedelic song, sounding reminiscent of the rock of the ’60s and ’70s. It’s also a great example of Bjork’s vocal abilities, as he is able to make his voice sound almost like an instrument, as it compliments the music perfectly. Finally, “1968” sounds a lot like someone would expect it to with the title. It’s a slightly shorter song compared to the rest of the album, coming in at 3:15. The vocals feel influenced by groups like The Doors, while the guitar riff is very Hendrix-esque. It’s easily one of the strongest songs on the album, and it sets the listeners up perfectly for the final track.
Mankind Woman ends with “Nation of Indica,” a long, psychedelic song, filled with almost spoken lyrics that are poignant and relevant to today’s world. “Lord have mercy / What makes the man want to destroy our world / Lord have mercy / What makes the man want to start another war / Lord have mercy / What makes the man take more than he needs / I said Lord have mercy / What makes the man not understand you and me.” It’s a fantastic song that will definitely be remembered for years to come, and truly shows the full scale of Bjork’s talent.
Mankind Woman is available for purchase now, and Brant Bjork is currently touring Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
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