Prince
HITnRUN: Phase One
(NPG Records)

Embracing the digital world, Prince officially released HITnRUN: Phase One on Tidal, the music streaming service re-launched earlier this year with 16 artists as owners, including rapper Jay Z. HITnRUN follows 2014’s Art Official Age – a throwback to Prince’s soul and R&B roots, but the music on his latest is sonically soul and EDM. It’s fresh and fun, wild and energetic. Each song seamlessly glides into the next, making for a funky ride through a mixtape of sorts with tracks like the hard-hitting “Ain’t About 2 Stop” featuring singer Rita Ora, a revamped electro version of “This Could B Us,” the clubby “Like a Mack” with girl duo Curly Fryz and the romantic “1000 X’S & 0’S.” Known for always working alone in the studio, yet embracing new talent, Prince teamed up with Joshua Welton; co-producer on Art Official Age. He’s also the husband of Hannah Welton, the drummer in Prince’s band 3rdEyeGirl. Joshua is also the new in-house producer at NPG Records. Perhaps what makes HITnRUN so much fun is that it was like a family affair putting this entire project together.