Bilal: In Another Life

Bilal
In Another Life
(eOne Music)

First hitting the music scene with 2001’s 1st Born Second, a classic neo soul record in its own right, Philadelphia native Bilal follows up his 2013 album, A Love Surreal, with the alt-soul, rock and jazz-inspired In Another Life.

With a wide range of vocal styles and musical influences, over the years the singer-songwriter has worked with fellow Philly crew The Roots, jazz pianist Robert Glasper, rappers Common and Lupe Fiasco and singer Erykah Badu, among others. On In Another Life, Bilal’s fourth proper release, production credits goes to Adrian Younge, a talented producer who worked with Jay Z on “Picasso Baby” and “Heaven” from the rapper’s Magna Carta Holy Grail LP. With guest spots from newcomers Big K.R.I.T. and Kendrick Lamar as well as vocalist Kimbra (best known from Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know”), In Another Life has a definite ’70s and ’80s soul vibe (“Pleasure Toy”) with a touch of jazz (“I Really Don’t Care”) and alt-rock and hip hop (“Money Over Lover”) mixed in. Bilal is a progressive artist who expands and builds upon each new project, and on In Another Life he shows us those skills.