Voodoo

the take

Voodoo is a hypnotic record utilizes atmosphere over texture, and while that choice doesn’t always land, it’s often spellbinding. Lyrically, it leans into feeling. D’Angelo’s writing is sensual, spiritual, and at times abstract, blurring love, desire, and identity into something almost impressionistic. It fits the album’s late-night mood perfectly. The musicianship is where Voodoo truly excels. The playing is loose yet impossibly tight, with Questlove’s behind-the-beat drumming anchoring a sound that feels alive and human. The grooves are deep, almost drunken in their swing, and the instrumentation interlocks in a way that rewards close listening. It’s less about hooks and more about feel, and when it clicks, it’s incredible. The album aims for a kind of neo-soul transcendence, blending funk, blues, jazz, and psychedelia into a warm, analog swirl. But that same commitment to bit over structure can make stretches of the record feel meandering, lacking the punch or focus needed to fully sustain its runtime. Still, at its best, Voodoo is immersive and richly crafted. Fav Track Untitled (How Does it Feel)