Starfruit

For over a decade, Los Angeles-based trio Moonchild—consisting of lead vocalist Amber Navran and multi-instrumentalists Andris Mattson and Max Byrk—have been perfecting their unique blend of jazz-inflected soul. From their soothing, groove-laden debut Be Free to their subsequent LPs that combined dreamy keyboards with funk-inspired rhythms, their sound has consistently evolved. With their fifth studio album, Starfruit, Moonchild continues this trajectory, embracing their smooth instincts while remaining deeply rooted in neo-soul.

Starfruit is a milestone for Moonchild, marking their first foray into collaborations. This album features a lineup of primarily Black female artists, reflecting a deliberate choice to highlight voices that resonate with the group’s musical ethos. Notable contributors include North Carolina MC Rapsody, the revered R&B singer Lalah Hathaway, and indie rapper Ill Camille. Their presence injects a new vibrancy into the record, which otherwise navigates the serene yet complex landscape of love and longing.

Navran’s velvety voice remains the centrepiece of the album. On the track “Takes Two,” she delivers a poignant line—“The greatest gift that you could give to me is to leave and stay gone”—over a backdrop of smooth synths and a subtly pulsating bass. Her voice is rendered even more ethereal when paired with collaborators who challenge her to explore the full range of her vocal abilities. In “Tell Him,” the opener featuring Lalah Hathaway, Navran’s falsetto finds a compelling contrast with Hathaway’s rich, low-register tones. Meanwhile, “Get By,” featuring The Tank and the Bangas, pairs Navran’s sultry melodies with Tarriona “Tank” Ball’s playful raps over a synth-driven groove.

While Starfruit’s mellow beats and airy vocals suggest a desire for extended instrumental exploration, this is only fully realized on the album’s closing track, “The Long Way.” Here, a saxophone solo from jazz musician Josh Johnson provides a satisfying culmination, delivering the improvisational flair that Starfruit hints at throughout.

With Starfruit, Moonchild solidify their groove, further refining their sound while paying tribute to the artists who have influenced them. The album captures a sense of effortless sophistication and deep appreciation for the art of collaboration, marking another step in the evolution of a band that continues to smooth out the edges of their already compelling musical identity.