The Stepkids: Troubadour (Free MP3) LP

Blue-eyed Psychedelic Soul from Brooklyn Trio. Walking the line between Boogie, AOR, Yacht Rock, and Psychedelic Soul isn't an easy task, yet The Stepkids manage to jump from genre to genre without a trace of guilt. Equal parts Mayer Hawthorne, Michael Mcdonald, and Thundercat it's hard to pinpoint the influence but somehow this sounds like a Stones Throw record. Stand out tracks include "The Lottery" with it's addictive elementary scratching and the steady groove of "Moving Pictures" tip toeing around Boogie crafted in outer space. Troubador is easily going to be the sleeper album of the year that will be revisited a decade down the line from snotty music nerds that were like "I had that when it came out"... liars. Recommended.

• music label: Stones Throw Records 2013

reviewed by pretty boi tejas 9/2013