Kamasi Washington has returned with an album that is both plentiful, mesmerising, and resilient. Fearless Movement shows Washington as not only one of the most creative artists making music but also one of the most innovative. With each track on Fearless Movement, he lets his brilliant ideas fly. Or, in simpler terms, he lets loose so many elements into one staggering body of work.

Excessive instrumentation and a mystical use of vocals best characterise the opening track, “Lesanu,” creating a transfixing song that is a highlight of Fearless Movement. This song excels in its ability to transcend genres, a trait that permeates all of Fearless Movement. It’s a nine-minute journey, giving everything to each track. Another fascinating aspect of this song is its production, which gives each instrument, from the saxophone to the piano, its own spotlight. It is an opener that clearly sets the stage for Fearless Movement and only further enhances it. The next track, “Asha the First,” showcases this innovative approach, incorporating additional vocals by other artists. I would describe it as quite a collaboration that mostly does a great job of mashing Washignton’s style with other artists’ styles. This track evokes a lengthy, fast-paced attitude that even the first track missed, and towards the middle half of it there is an almost seamless transition into another artist, which is seamlessly implemented. This track demonstrates how to have and implement a featured artist with this seamless, thrilling, and intense song.

Fearless Movement conveys a bold, insatiable urge that sucks each voice out, like an echo in a cave. It’s a piece of work that prioritises its sound above all else. What keeps Fearless Movement going is the multitude of sheer, transfixing, luxurious tones it exhibits yet conceals with sometimes awe-inspiring vocals. If there ever was a way to put a pin on this record, it would be euphoric. Fearless Movement is filled with pain and beauty, interwoven into every track. As it evolves, almost every song seems to brilliantly attempt something. If there was a slip-up, it would be that some of the collaborations contained in this labyrinth can seem forced into the songs, with the many different vocals and abilities sometimes not very well transitioning in between one another. Despite this, Fearless Movement compensates by fully embracing all the instruments and sounds with robustness, transforming them into a magnificent piece. Fearless Movement is a work that, while not the most magnificent in Washington’s masterful discography, still stands high up there nonetheless. The production is alluring and never loses sight of its magnetic ability to control each aspect of this record. Furthermore, Fearless Movement is a haunting and beautiful portrait of so many things, as well as a record that will likely end up defining the year.

Pre-order Fearless Movement by Kamasi Washington HERE