McKinley Dixon
For My Mama and Anyone Who Look Like Her
Spacebomb Records
As one of the year’s most important releases, McKinley Dixon’s Spacebomb Records debut rounds out a trilogy of albums that were five years in the making. The Richmond-based artist’s first two albums, Who Taught You to Hate Yourself? (2016) and The Importance of Self Belief (2018), served as vehicles for processing, healing, and exploring both Dixon’s personal experience and the collective Black experience in this country. Following the tragic killing of his best friend in 2018, Dixon breaks down trauma on For My Mama and Anyone Who Look Like Her through the lens of religion and mortality with tracks like “Chain Sooo Heavy” and “Bless the Child.” As a storyteller, Dixon uses the imagery and techniques of gothic literature. He’s a self-described “musical time traveler,” relying on genres from hip-hop to jazz to analyze the past and enact change in the present. At times dark and brooding; at times rejuvenating and cleansing, the album is an homage to Dixon’s community and a must-listen for all. (Released May 7)
Disco Risqué
D3P
Self-release
Since dropping its debut album in 2015, Charlottesville funk-punk outfit Disco Risqué has carved out an audience with its frenetic grooves and energetic live shows. Composed of Charlie Murchie (lead guitar), Robert “Slim” Prescott (drums/vocals), Ryan “Swimsuit” Calonder (vocals/ trumpet/rhythm guitar), and Andrew “The Champ” Hollifield (bass), the group added Sean Hodge on keys and vocals last fall, resulting in a more robust, heavy sound. Now, the crew is back with D3P, a three-track EP to push into this new era. Recorded in Charlottesville and mixed in Richmond, D3P is a breath of fresh air after nearly two years of a global pandemic. Perky tracks like “Pre Fluff Party Fyfe” and “The Scene” complete a welcome, danceable listen from a band that doesn’t take itself too seriously. (Released May 28)
Sleepwalkers
“Until the Night is Gone”
Shoebox Treasure
Richmond staple Sleepwalkers’ new single is a retro-futuristic romp through the wee hours of the night. The group’s last full-length release, Ages, came in 2019 via Spacebomb Records, and harkened back to the pop landscape of the late ’70s and early ’80s. As a follow-up, “Until the Night is Gone” continues this trajectory with an unforgettable pop hook, tinges of disco, and cinematic touches, making it one of the top songs of the summer. Let’s hope there’s more where this came from, and cross our fingers for a full album announcement behind this track. (Released July 29) —Desiré Moses