7/10

Over the last decade, a trend towards more experimental music reaching the mainstream has been developing. Thanks largely to the internet and streaming services, music fans are finding their tastes towards the more unusual ends of the spectrum explored and has resulted in avant-garde and jazz-inspired compositions penetrating through to some of the biggest mainstream acts in the world. And an artist that has been firmly involved in pushing her distinct sound forward over the last few years is Emma-Jean Thackray, who has now released her highly-anticipated debut album 'Yellow', a record that establishes her as a truly captivating name emerging right now.

While the root of her influences lie in the 70s jazz fusion and P-funk sound, 'Yellow' is a far more contemporary release than it sounds on paper. Channelling a similar vein to that of Flying Lotus or Thundercat, this new collection is just as interested in getting your feet moving as it is sending your brain through a psychedelic spiral. Rather than keep this adventurous and explorative direction focused solely on the feel and aesthetic of the music, she also looks for more easy-to-digest textures to give these tracks a fresh yet engaging atmosphere that makes for some wonderfully enjoyable moments.

Although her pursuit of the bold and unconventional is the heart of this release, 'Yellow' manages to happily flirt with a more commercial intention whenever it feels like. She may have only just released her first album, but it already feels like there is still plenty of room to explore in this sound, and we can't wait to find out where she takes it next.