SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CHARLES LLOYD – THE SKY WILL STILL BE THERE TOMORROW

CHARLES LLOYD
THE SKY WILL STILL BE THERE TOMORROW
UMG RECORDINGS

Charles Lloyd has returned again with his post-bop album, The Sky Will Be There Tomorrow. This comes after a nearly two-year wait since his last release, Trios: Sacred Thread. Thankfully, Lloyd continues to deliver a powerful and quite emotional work, best described as a siren to human existence with this melodic and touching masterpiece.

The opening track, “Defiant, Tender Warrior”, gradually becomes more sombre, yet subtle signs of hope and defiance are present throughout the song, with little noises scattered in the sadness that ensues. It’s an excellent introduction to this album, which nicely sets up the tone of the work. It is an album that expresses sadness and so much pain, but, as the title suggests, there is still tomorrow’s sky. This song alone paints a sombre portrait that is unforgettable and lingers in the mind as the tracks continue.

The Sky Will Be There Tomorrow features truly beautiful tracks that already feel as though they will become classics in the future. The album is brimming with distinctive styles and sounds that feel as though they were made 50 years ago and, at the same time, still feel relevant today because of how unique and stunning it all is. This album consistently succeeds by incorporating unique and immersive elements throughout, all of which feel perfectly necessary. It is a work that feels both minimalist and exploding with so much all at once. Even more experimental and consistent.

The Sky Will Be There Tomorrow is a meticulously crafted work of pain and beauty that feels thought out to the smallest sound. It is a highlight of a career by an artist who has been making fantastic pieces of art for over half a century and continues to do so, as shown here.

Overall, The Sky Will Be Here Tomorrow is a sober yet somewhat hopeful, beautiful work that demonstrates what a masterful artist Lloyd is.

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