Album Review
4 Stars: A rebirth as much as it is a testament to endurance.
Reviewer: Kayla Sandiford
Released: April 18, 2025
Label: Sub Pop
For the last twenty years, Tunde Adebimpe’s voice has been emblematic of the ever-evolving sound of TV on the Radio—a band known for its intricate blend of raw emotion, poetic disquiet, and seemingly endless innovation. Now, Tunde’s solo debut, ‘Thee Black Boltz,’ signifies a new awakening. The album opens with its title track, a focused spoken word piece that delivers a central message about reconciling love and hate, joy and sorrow. Following this is the single ‘Magnetic,’ with its dynamic electronic beat. Right away, Tunde’s raw vocals take center stage, offering striking reflections of a troubled state. Much of the album's strength lies in the varying levels of intensity found in the electronically oscillating sounds, as demonstrated in the expansive, atmospheric synth tracks like ‘Magnetic,’ ‘Ate The Moon,’ ‘Blue,’ and ‘Somebody New.’ However, the real impact is found in the songs that display more subtlety and break the weight of the dense sound. ‘Drop’ features a beatbox rhythm, ‘The Most’ incorporates brief dub-inspired elements, and ‘ILY’ represents the album's hopeful core, reduced to acoustic fingerpicking and gentle instrumentation. In these instances, Tunde’s artistic expression shines most brightly. ‘Thee Black Boltz’ acts as a communication from the heart of a storm filled with sorrow and political unrest, yet moments of hope cut through the darkness. It is as much a rebirth as it is a testament to survival, undertaking the daunting and exhilarating journey of exploring new musical landscapes in a deeply personal way. As Adebimpe embraces the uncertainty, he remains driven by the same restless and creatively liberated spirit that has characterized TV on the Radio. Nevertheless, it is clear that ‘Thee Black Boltz’ is Tunde Adebimpe’s own journey to navigate, his vision presented with a clarity that makes this collection distinctly his.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
It is as much a renewal as it is a record of endurance.
