Don’t Explain

With No I.D., Boi-1da, and DJ Dahi on the boards, Snoh Aalegras debut mini-album is a gorgeous, laidback experiment in cinematic soul. Orchestral strings, brassy flourishes, and some finely tuned boom bap are its backbone, but it’s Aalegras smoky coo that lights things up. Shes a Bond girl on “In Your River” and Under the Influence—to which No I.D. brings some Portishead vibes—and shes sassy on the Frank Dukes/Boi-1da joint “Charleville 9200.” Her voice is so torchy over the Dahi-produced Billie Holliday title track, it just might combust.