Sometimes an album speaks to you, and sometimes it cries out to you. Sal Ly’s album 21s Fro arrests you, not just for its musicality, but because of its honesty and transparency.

The album really needs you to sit down and fully appreciate the content. I don’t know who this is for. Is it biographical and a form of catharsis for Sal Ly herself? is it a God inspired work that will speak specifically to a particular person? I don’t the answer but what I do know is that someone is hurting or has been hurting and they’re on a journey that can only end with the love of Jesus. The composite does get to that conclusion but that doesn’t mean it’s plain sailing all the way.

I hear tracks like No Church in a While and For the Pain and I hear brutally honest struggles but also a Jesus-shaped solution.

Sal Ly is a musical chameleon and you hear a mix of flavours on the album. Invisible is a standout. The bassline hits hard and is coupled nicely with an almost UK garage beat. Don’t Touch My Fro is a fun track that doesn’t sound as combative as the title suggests.

Also listening to:

I went to the Premier Gospel Awards last night and got to see Victory live for the first time. On the way home, I was listening to her 2023 album Glory Hour and enjoyed the acoustic, stripped back sound. It’s also in a similar vein to the new Antoine Bradford album which came out this week.

New music

Singles

• The Edge – Sharyn, Shiv Music
• Hey Ya – IMRHAN
• Return – Sarah Nathalié

Albums

• Eternity – CéJae
• Like Flowers In The Sun – Antoine Bradford
• Consecrated – Ada Ehi