Foreign Exchange

Foreign Exchange proves that there is such a thing as good electronica soul. With auto-tunes infecting R&B at pandemic proportions, electronic elements in soul have taken a critical hit by those looking for its heart. On their sophomore release, Leave It All Behind, multitalented artist Phonté (Little Brother) and Dutch producer Nicolay uncover a vibrant muscle bleeding with musical emotion. A brilliant marriage of electronica, chill-out, hip-hop and soul, Leave It All Behind is a rare animal: a complete album. Independent artists Yahzarah, Muhsinah, and Darien Brockington bring their considerable talents to lace these moving tracks with elegaic layers of love and longing. Lyrically simple and structurally liberated, Foreign Exchange excavates beauty out of the understated and repetitious. The title track, an unexpected cover of Stevie Wonder’s “If She Breaks Your Heart,” and “Take Off the Blues” will satisfy traditionalists open to a refreshing take on contemporary soul. Four stars.