R&B and soul phenom Prince returns this week with not one, but two new albums. ART OFFICIAL AGE marks the Purple One’s 34th solo effort, while PLECTRUMELECTRUM serves as the debut LP from his new band, 3rdEyeGirl.
ART OFFICIAL AGE follows up 2010’s 20TEN, marking the longest gap between records in Prince’s discography. A press release described the 13-track album as a “contemporary concoction of soul, R&B and funk.” It also called the songs’ melodies “immediate and prominent as ever and Prince’s vocals are rich and solid, taking full advantage of his vocal range with decidedly, seductive lyrics.”
PLECTRUMELECTRUM boasts 12 tracks, which were recorded live and to analog tape. Much of the material was road-tested in front of audiences during the band’s tour of the UK earlier this year. A press release describes the album as “an electrifying funk-rock statement.”
In an interview with Mojo, Prince discussed the recording sessions and inspiration for the new tracks. “We recorded it in Bryan Ferry’s studio in London,” he said, “after a night of partying for which the Cocteau Twins was the soundtrack. You can’t understand the words of Cocteau Twins songs but their harmonies put you in a dreamlike state.”
ART OFFICIAL AGE Tracklist:
01. ART OFFICIAL CAGE
02. CLOUDS
03. BREAKDOWN
04. THE GOLD STANDARD
05. U KNOW
06. BREAKFAST CAN WAIT
07. THIS COULD BE US
08. WHAT IT FEELS LIKE
09. affirmation I & II
10. WAY BACK HOME
11. FUNKNROLL
12. TIME
13. affirmation II
PLECTRUMELECTRUM Tracklist:
01. WOW
02. PRETZELBODYLOGIC
03. AINTTURNINROUND
04. PLECTRUMELECTRUM
05. WHITECAPS
06. FIXURLIFEUP
07. BOYTROUBLE
08. STOPTHISTRAIN
09. ANOTHERLOVE
10. TICKTACTOE
11. MARZ
12. FUNKNROLL