Music & Concerts
Disclosure hits sophomore slump
High-profile guests can’t salvage mediocre ‘Caracal’
Despite an impressive guest roster, Disclosure flounders on sophomore album. (Photo courtesy PMR/Island)
The talented young British brothers Howard and Guy Lawrence (21 and 24 respectively) earned instant acclaim for their 2013 debut album “Settle,” an invigorating electro-pop marvel featuring a number of terrific guest appearances and some of the best dance pop in recent memory.
Guy Lawrence told PrideSource in 2014 that he and his brother, although straight, were inspired by house and garage music in the gay clubs they visited in their native UK. Those exhilarating sounds informed their stellar debut, which was hailed by critics and was widely recognized as one of 2013’s best albums. They play D.C.’s EchoStage Oct. 21-22.
Numerous tracks from “Settle” became club favorites, including in prominent gay venues, and they were even rumored to be working with Madonna on her last album (which never came to fruition). Anticipation for the sequel to “Settle” has been sky-high. Unfortunately, their eagerly anticipated follow-up album “Caracal,” released Sept. 25, falls well short of the lofty standards set by their debut.
Trouble begins right away with the opening track “Nocturnal,” feature phenom the Weeknd on vocals. It’s bland and repetitive mid-tempo electro-R&B with very little in the way of a memorable melodic hook. Disclosure puts “Nocturnal” in the prominent opening slot, but the song itself is no more than average at best. It sounds like a Ne-Yo throwaway and drags on for nearly seven tedious minutes. Not a good omen.
Speaking of omens, the big reunion with Sam Smith, the openly gay British superstar who exploded on the international pop scene with his feature on Disclosure’s “Latch” from “Settle,” is entitled “Omen.” Unfortunately it lacks the immediacy and excitement of “Latch” and seems little more than an excuse for the team to get back together. The melody is forgettable and the track slinks away forgotten as soon as the last beats stutter out.
“Holding On,” featuring esteemed jazz and R&B vocalist Gregory Porter, is surprisingly limp and dated. Its beats and production tricks would have sounded fresh perhaps in 1997. “Hourglass,” with the talented New York-based R&B duo Lion Babe on vocals, has a nice groove and some terrific vocals. Lion Babe adds some elegance and charm, but again the song is betrayed by insipid electronic rhythms that don’t have much punch.
The big guest appearance is New Zealand pop star Lorde, who adds her breathy vocals to the track “Magnets.” It’s stripped down electro-pop similar to what Lorde offered up on her debut album. It’s one of the better moments on “Caracal,” which isn’t saying a whole lot. It’s clear the Howard brothers were intent on emulating Lorde’s sound and while they do an adequate job, it’s also faintly pointless. The track might have been good enough to make the cut on Lorde’s debut album — maybe — but it certainly would not have been a standout. As a high-powered collaboration between two exciting and influential new artists, it underwhelms.
Miguel is the other high-profile guest appearance, and his vocals on “Good Intentions” are fine, but the song itself is yet another that’s just average. Disclosure brings in some of the most exciting pop artists around and does basically nothing with them. These songs could be sung by anybody and would have the same (minimal) impact. They’re not horrible; just a huge letdown after “Settle.”
Artistic exploration is fine. The downside is that sometimes it reveals artistic limitations. While their debut was exciting and bold, “Caracal” feels uncertain and cautious. But they’re young. Hopefully more exciting things are yet to come from this promising duo.
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her acclaimed “Tension” world tour to D.C. next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.
The show features songs spanning her long career, from 1987 debut single, “The Loco-Motion,” to “Padam, Padam” from her album, “Tension.”
Music & Concerts
Busy season for live music in D.C.
Erivo, Kylie, Sivan, and more headed our way this spring
One sure sign of spring’s arrival is the fresh wave of live music coming to Washington. With more than 10 venues and a diverse lineup of artists, the city offers no shortage of live performances for the new season.
In addition to this impressive list, don’t forget the many artists coming to town for WorldPride, May 17-June 8. In addition to headliner Cynthia Erivo performing on Saturday, June 7 at the two-day street festival and concert, many other performers will be in town. Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, and RuPaul are among the featured performers at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds, June 6-7. Visit WorldPrideDC.org for a list of other performers.
MARCH
Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Mary J. Blige will take the stage at Capital One Arena on March 26 for her For My Fans tour. Two days later, on March 28, J Balvin will also perform at Capital One Arena for his Back to the Rayo tour.
The Lincoln Theatre will host the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for three performances—one on March 15 and two on March 16.
If dance parties are more your vibe, you’re in luck. DC9 is hosting a series of themed dance parties this month, starting with Poker Face: 2000s + Dance Party on March 14, the ever-popular Peach Pit ’90s dance party on March 15, H.O.T.S.: A Sapphic Dance Party on March 22, and RageRiot!—a burlesque and drag revue featuring a lineup of local drag kings, queens, and everything in between on March 29.
APRIL
Australian queen of pop Kylie Minogue will bring her Tension tour to Capital One Arena on April 8, with British dance artist Romy as her special guest.
Indie singer-songwriter mxmtoon will stop in D.C. for their Liminal Space tour on April 4 at the 9:30 club, followed by indie rock band Gossip on April 5. The 9:30 club will also host two dance parties in April: Gimme Gimme Disco – a dance party inspired by ABBA on April 11 and Broadway Rave on April 18.
The Atlantis will feature Brooklyn-based indie rock band Pom Pom Squad on April 2.
Comedy duo Two Dykes and a Mic will bring their Going Hog Wild tour to the Howard Theatre on April 19.
DC9 has two dance parties lined up this month: Bimbo Night on April 4, hosted by Baltimore’s “premier red-tattooed Filipina diva” Beth Amphetamine, and Aqua Girls: A QTBIPOC Dance Party on April 5, celebrating “queer transcendence through music, movement, and community.”
The Anthem will welcome a lineup of big names in April, starting with Alessia Cara on April 8. Lucy Dacus will take the stage on April 18 and 19 for her Forever Is a Feeling tour, while funky pop artist Remi Wolf will headline on April 27, joined by special guests Dana and Alden.
MAY
Indie-pop artist Miya Folick will bring her Erotica Veronica tour to The Atlantis on May 1, followed by multi-genre musician SASAMI on May 2. Pop artist Snow Wife will close out the month at The Atlantis on May 31 as part of an official WorldPride 2025 event.
Queer rock band Lambrini Girls will perform at the Howard Theatre on May 4, while rock trio L.A. Witch will take the stage at DC9 on May 12.
Union Stage will feature Rachel Platten on May 3 for her Set Me Free tour, followed by Femme Fatale: A Queer Dance Party later that night.
The popular DJ festival Project Glow will return to RFK Stadium grounds on May 31 and June 1.
JUNE
Pride month kicks off with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Trixie Mattel, who will perform at Echostage on June 3 as part of a series of official WorldPride 2025 events.
Queer icons Grace Jones & Janelle Monáe will take over The Anthem on June 5 for a WorldPride 2025 event performance.
Perfume Genius will bring his signature sound to the 9:30 club on June 7 as part of WorldPride 2025 festivities. Later in the month, Blondshell will hit the 9:30 club for her If You Asked for a Tour on June 24.
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