MF Robots – III (Part One)
So here they are again: Dawn Joseph and Jon Kincaid, also known as MF Robots, are back with the follow-up to the praised LP “Break The Wall” from 2021, which we also reviewed on these pages. The former Brand New Heavies partners return with an 8-track LP on their own imprint Good People Records. The album opens with a chunky jam called “That’s The Way” where Dawn excels with a strong and joyous vocal performance where she sounds like a mid-80s Aretha at times. The song also boasts with great backing vocals and a steady and strong energy. “Children Of The World”, one of the three singles which preceded this album, is another joyous celebration with a solid backing and irresistible groove. Things turn a tad more jazzy and midtempo neo-soulish on “The Pressure”, one of the highlights of the album with a hook that really soaks you up. Dawn’s vocal performance here, without any outré gymnastics and an approach with no frills, is almost therapeutic.
“Glide”, another previously released track from the album, easily soothes your soul with its smooth backdrop and more of those really tight and somehow effortless backing vocals. There is a pretty funky bass on the thick and soulful “Lay It Back” where Dawn shows a more grittier side of her vocal prowess. It’s another compelling and dedicated tune. And “Hello Sunshine”, also previously released as a single, is just that: a sunny little tune spreading positivity and joy. After another funky workout on “Through The Pain”, the album concludes with another highlight: the Brazil-flavored “Show Us The Way”, complete with Dukey-like keyboards and a heavenly Gospel-accented vocal by Dawn.
MF Robots play the Village Underground in London on November 19th.
