Album Review: DJ Harrison's ElectroSoul is a No-Skip, Soulful Journey Through R&B and Hip-Hop

Less than a year after spotlighting Butcher Brown's Letters From The Atlantic and just a month after selecting them as one of the 50 Essential Albums of 2025, I am flying high on the wings of another member of the legendary quintet.

Today, we celebrate Devonne Harrison AKA DJ Harrison, and his brand-new record, ElectroSoul, released via Stones Throw Records. This is a record that is not only a stepping stone for one of today's truly inspiring musicians, but a gift for anyone hungry for that timeless essence of soul, r&b and hip hop. 18 tracks that coalesce into pure perfection.

I'll go all non-sequential on this album, but I feel the need to kick off with the beautiful impact of hearing his mother telling a story of his first drum performance at the age of five on "Sepia Visions". "My name is Devonne Harrison, and when I grow up, I want to be a musician and make beautiful music," hits hard. It's inspiring to see people achieving their dreams, and I am thankful we have contemporaries like DJ Harrison.

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Born after a period of long hospital stay and the reflection that comes with it, DJ Harrison started the creation of ElectroSoul as soon as he was released. "When you have a health scare like I did, it gives you the urgency to really want to create, and not take it for granted," Devonne shares. The Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist (10+ to be precise!) initially started solo, but it didn't take long for his hunger for collaboration to kick in. Tapping into his Richmond, VA community and beyond, he brought together a myriad of musicians who helped shape ElectroSoul into his most ambitious (and deeply healing) project to date.

I hope you haven't had a bad/prolonged hospital experience, but I have and can sympathize with Devonne. In a moment like that, you truly reflect on the important things in life - family, friends, and living your best life every single moment. I can relate to the fact that he didn't waste a moment before jumping into doing what he loves. It’s no surprise that ElectroSoul is heavily inspired by his community and surroundings. "ElectroSoul reflects my city, my family, and my upbringing,” says Devonne. "When I look inside myself, this is my core, this is what I’m about."

After the radio-like intro, "Fresh Squeezed Drums", which certainly draws attention, we're greeted with "OG Players", a song that sounds very Jimi Hendrix-y. Honestly, I couldn't think of a better introduction to the record. Raw, inspiring, and hopeful.

As mentioned earlier, while ElectroSoul is an album he started alone, I feel that the presence of friends and comrades elevates DJ Harrison's skills. From the get-go, you'll instantly fall in love with "Can't Go Back" - a classic soul anthem featuring Nigel Hall. The list of artists on the record is nothing short of impressive. From earlier collaborators and label mates to close friends, we're blessed with the presence of artists like Yaya Bey, Pink Siifu, Kiefer, Karriem Riggins, Fly Anakin, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Grebes, and Angélica Garcia. All of that is reflected in the sonic richness of ElectroSoul. Mellow, heavy, yet soulful and healing, the record is fruitful in a way that feels almost Edenic.

If you're vibing with the Soulquarians' sound (who doesn't?), characterized by sluggish beat and endless soulful head bopping, then the 2 Yaya Bey features, "Stay Ready" and "It's All Love", should be right up your alley. The snare on the latter is one of the most enchanting things I've heard in a while. Another favourite of mine is "Recycled", one of the first songs Devonne had written for the project, symbolizing an awakening of a new energy after an unexpected hospital stay.

Circling back to the album’s most precious elements, beyond the tribute to his mother, we also hear a snippet of his father, a local radio DJ, speaking on air on "SmokeSetBreak". The more I write those lines, the more I realize that we're at the start of the year, and we already have our first no-skips album of 2026. The gentleness of "Neverfold", the grooviness of the jazz anthem "Beginning Again" with Kiefer paired with the raw energy of "Seek God" with Fly Anakin alone, should give you an idea of how tasty this record is.