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[NEW WORLD SOUL ORDER] Dirty Revival technically has five (give or take) members, but an illustration of frontwoman Sarah Clarke's profile dominates the cover of the band's self-titled, self-released debut. It's representative of how Clarke—who can channel Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard as easily as Aretha Franklin or even Mary J. Blige—leads the band's sound, which bounces between soul, funk and hip-hop. But when guitarist and MC Evan "evv'n'flo" Simko, drummer Terry Drysdale, keyboardist Karl Ludwigsen and bassist Jon Shaw combine their forces and find a sense of unity among the rotating cast of local horn players and backup singers, Dirty Revival transcends its gallery of influences. The spoken-word elements, in particular, differentiate the band from other neo-soul revival acts, especially on opening track "Dirty Love" and "Lately," both highlighted by Simko's rhythmic delivery. The electric violin-based blues ballad "She Can't Wait" ends with an empowering soliloquy that positions Clarke as the Carla Thomas to Otis Redding's "Tramp." And "Breathe," a proper protest song with a sermon-like outro on what is otherwise a party record, proves Dirty Revival has emotional depth to counter its deep grooves.
SEE IT: Dirty Revival plays Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Ave., with Redray Frazier and DJ Weather, on Friday, Sept. 11. 9 pm. $12 advance, $15 day of show. 21+.
Willamette Week