Photographers: Bob Witt; Teddy Thunderbolt.
Goapele's earlier releases are not short on dreamy, slightly trippy content, but she refines and intensifies that mode on Break of Dawn, her first release since 2005's Change It All. Her debut for the Decon label, Break of Dawn is slinking and seductive, largely switching between low-key electronic quiet storm and Southern-style throwback ballads with support from the likes of Bedrock, Malay, Krucial, Bobby Ozuna, and the duo Electric Thunderbolt. During the album's middle third, Goapele breaks from heartache and desire, covering perseverance on the title track, motherhood on "Hush," and love over wealth on the 1987-Prince-indebted "Money." ~ Andy Kellman
