Valerie June, Aloysious 3, Jalen N’Gonda

Singularly unique voice that blurs the lines between genres and eras, resulting in an eclectic blend of folk, soul, country, R&B and blues

Valerie June

It’s rare to encounter someone whose voice is as universally extolled as Valerie June’s. The colossally talented, Tennessee-raised singer-songwriter took the music realm by soulful storm with her 2013 bombshell hit album Pushin’ Against a Stone. Heralded as one of America’s “most intriguing, fully formed new talents” by The New York Times, and ruled “Unstoppable” by Rolling Stone (along with countless other accolades from esteemed music publications), June had truly arrived. Not one to rush things (she has a remarkable affinity for, and appreciation of, ‘time,’ and the transient nature of being), she spent the following years cultivating and developing her sophomore release, The Order of Time. The unadulterated success of her first album gave June the confidence and freedom to experiment with forms and genre, evidenced on this swirling blues, soul, country, R&B and folk masterpiece of a follow-up. Listen for her inventive use of banjos on multiple tracks, for a glimpse into her brilliant musical psyche.

Aloysious 3

Jalen N’Gonda