Zo! & Tall Black Guy - Expansions (2026)
Expansions leans heavily into warm Rhodes textures, mid-tempo grooves, and layered vocal arrangements that sit comfortably in the neo-soul lane. The production is rounded and human — drums have swing rather than stiffness, basslines feel lived-in, and the harmonic palette stays plush throughout. It’s clearly crafted by musicians who value feel and cohesion.
The issue is that the album rarely disrupts its own comfort zone. The grooves tend to operate within similar tempo and dynamic ranges, and the emotional register stays affirming and smooth rather than tense or exploratory. By the final stretch, the sonic cohesion starts to blur into uniformity. I respect the musicality, but I’m not pulled into deeper layers on repeat listens.
It’s well-made, pleasant, and consistent — but it doesn’t stretch into something exceptional.
Pros
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Consistent neo-soul atmosphere — Rhodes-heavy arrangements create a unified sonic identity.
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Human groove feel — The rhythm programming avoids mechanical stiffness.
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Clean, warm production — The mix stays balanced and uncluttered.
Cons
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Narrow dynamic range — Limited tempo and emotional contrast across the record.
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Low structural risk — Few moments that shift the album’s direction or energy.
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Moderate replay pull — Once the palette is absorbed, it doesn’t reveal much new on return.
Genre: Neo Soul
Country: US
Final Verdict: 64% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 78th / 176
Highlight: Keep Him Satisfied (feat. Sy Smith)
Made me think of:
Hiatus Kaiyote
Robert Glasper Experiment
D’Angelo
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