Moonchild is a trio from Los Angeles consisting of Amber Navran, Andris Mattson, and Max Bryk. Navran handles the vocals, but then all three pitch in playing multiple instruments and producing beats. They’ve been together a little over ten years, steadily working, touring, and releasing albums, gradually improving each time through. Their last album, Little Ghost, came out in 2019. Now they are back with their fifth full-length album, Starfruit.

The great thing about a group like Moonchild is that they know who they are and they have fantastic chemistry together. The result is a sound that is incredibly tight and consistent, which then leaves them free to explore and experiment in subtle ways here and there without feeling the pressure to reinvent the wheel with each album. What you know you’re going to get each time out is a neo-soul album with jazz and hip hop influences, with Navran’s sultry whisper-singing leading the way. You also know that each time through they are just going to level up in their confidence to make music as a trio and find just the right chemistry between the three musicians. What you don’t know is where they are going to find the space to subvert your expectations and hit you with a surprise or two, or just when the music will hit you with that extra “oomph” and take you to a higher place. Over the course of Starfruit, you’re getting these Soulquarian-inspired grooves that just feel warm and inviting, and the level of musicianship regarding both their playing and songwriting/arranging is just top notch. After all this time together, their attention to detail is second to none as they do all of the little things to keep the music interesting and feeling soulful. Where Starfruit really becomes interesting is in the ways that Moonchild opens themselves up to collaboration, working with some guest artists who spice up the proceedings at just the right moments. With appearances from Lalah Hathaway, Alex Isley, Ill Camille, Tank and the Bangas, Rapsody, Mumu Fresh, Chantae Cann, and Josh Johnson, each artist brings a unique perspective and gets to contribute something distinct to the album, all while Moonchild manages to fold it all in and makes sure that the whole album sounds coherent and flows naturally from one track to the next. It’s something that feels so easy when you’re listening to the album, because everyone just slides right in and does their thing, but let me assure that this is much harder than it looks. Moonchild did a fantastic job of opening their sound up to a talented group of collaborators without losing their own identity in the process.

Starfruit is the culmination of a talented group staying together and believing in themselves, just honing their craft and gradually getting better each time they make an album. Moonchild has leveled up once again to bring us one of the best neo-soul albums you’ll hear this year.