inc. + Zomby + Kelela + Total Freedom

Time Out says

Fri Feb 8 2013

Taking its cues from the R&B heroes of 2012—Frank Ocean, Miguel and the Weeknd—L.A. duo inc. has traveled the understated road, in terms of its wispy, soulful sound, as well as the mystique it has maintained prior to the release of its debut full-length, no world. Still, Andrew and Daniel Aged haven’t gone unnoticed—prompted by a sold-out Brooklyn gig in November, 4AD labelmate Zomby (opening for inc. here) tweeted, “One chick had 5 orgasms within 2 chord changes.”

This week, the brothers will celebrate the release of their album with a concert at Le Poisson Rouge on the day it drops. The red-velvet-curtained venue is appropriate for their after-hours funk, which is more than a little bit sexy, balancing a hushed falsetto over low-end rhythms with a digitized sheen. The fraternal pair’s résumé collectively includes stints as session musicians for Robin Thicke, Elton John and Raphael Saadiq; it’s safe to say the Ageds are well versed in using sensuality as a mainline to heady R&B.

Beyond providing a funksome, faultless soundtrack for your next romp between the sheets, inc.’s dreamy restraint points to the unconventional directions R&B has taken lately. Ocean, Miguel and the Weeknd’s Abel Tesfaye heralded a revolution by infusing the style with an indie effect, ethereal production and confessional lyrics. Up-and-comers such as Jessie Ware and How to Dress Well continue to bend the form, outfitting neosoul with EDM textures. Now, inc. upholds the genre’s dedication to personal integrity, coalescing all of those influences into something singular and intimate.—Marley Lynch

Follow Marley Lynch on Twitter: @marleyasinbob

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