It’s been two years of false-starts, but Goapele is finally close to releasing her much-anticipated fourth studio album Break of Dawn (October 25). After trying to court radio play with Drumma Boy’s heavy synth arrangements on last summer’s “Right Here,” Goapele’s new single and video “Play” is a return to the searing, mature sensuality she had begun exploring on “Milk & Honey.” The lack of color and marked reliance on shadowing accentuates Goapele’s coy yearnings of wanting to “play around.” In a wise move, the suggestive proceedings never become overt lyrically or visually, leaving the listener to their own imaginations. “Play” is available now iTunes.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 