In words as well as music, hear how seriously Bridgewater takes her role as a music mentor and how it connects to her own experience in the jazz lineage.
The latest album from the dystopian cartoon band — whose lone consistent musical member is the British musician Damon Albarn — emphasizes real suffering and salvation in a contemporary setting.
"It's a responsibility being Mary J. Blige," the singer says. She speaks with NPR's Rachel Martin about finding catharsis through music — and says that even she works out to her songs.
"I heard someone say once that you don't know what real power is until you're on the wrong side of it," says Algiers' frontman. His band's new song deals with the idea directly.
It's been four long summers since Days Are Gone, which is the only way to count our time way from the sparkling pop-rock of HAIM. Something To Tell You is due out July 7.