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BERNARR. - Durand Bernarr (2026)

Bernarr’s 2025 record, BLOOM, won the Grammy for Best Progressive R&B Album. I started this comparing that one to this new release, but the truth is I haven’t listened to BLOOM enough to have much opinion.

So instead, I’ll talk about how deeply and thoroughly funky this new one is.

Tracks like EFFORT the Vic Mensa-featuring Homesick are great funk workouts that also showcase his great vocal range.

Undivided and AM I OKAY?! are particularly great tracks, full of swagger and confidence even when the lyrics betray uncertainty. The album is ostensibly about mental health among other topics, and there are some good lines you can pick out about that.

Somewhere in the second half, maybe after more hip hop-styled Waiting and the synth bass drive of Wild Ride, the tracks move into slow-jam-style R&B. This includes BLOOM a track that is named the same as the previous album, but was not on that album. Outtake? Not-so-subtle nod? I don’t know. These later tracks are still excellently crafted and performed, but maybe not as exciting as the rush of the first half hour.

2020s music r&b neo soul funk progressive r&b

Singin' to an Empty Chair
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