Mourning [A] BLKstar

Mourning [A] BLKstar is a Cleveland based collective founded by bass player and author RA Washington as an outlet for political commentary and with an Afrofuturist vision in mind. The band consists of multiple vocalists and a small horn section on top of a standard band line up. They have developed a unique sound that combines soul and gospel feel with jazzy arrangements, electronic instrumentation, with beats that tap into hip-hop idioms. There is a lot of downtempo style deliberate flow in their grooves. They mostly work at the mid-tempo range with a revolving door of three outstanding soulful lead vocalists providing a considerable emotional push. On their 2024 album, Ancient/Future, they cranked up some hard-hitting '70s retro rock tones as well. Their music walks a fine line between somber tones and an uplifting spirit, and has a visceral quality and a sense of immediacy.