Moonchild - Waves

The Moonchild trio lays claim to a challenging territory from the moment their album, released on February 20, 2026, hits the shelves: that of grief, transforming raw pain into sonic architecture. Waves is not just a follow-up to Starfruit (2022), but a thematic departure, abandoning romantic themes in favor of resilience and self-worth. This 50-minute 55-second album, released by Tru Thoughts, functions as a laboratory where the group's songwriting dialogue with a level of collaborative density rarely seen. Out of the 14 tracks on the album, 12 feature jazz and soul legends who not only add to the tracklist but also serve as structural pillars of the album.

Assessment: A snapshot of resilience

This album confirms that the combination of live soul music and the trio's songwriting allows the concept 'Waves' to go far beyond a simple collection of appearances. Out of the 14 tracks, the production roles reveal a meticulous organization: Sam Browner on the opening track (Jill Scott/Rapsody) and Pete Min on several other tracks, including those by D Smoke, Lalah Hathaway, and Robert Glasper. This sound architecture, where each producer or engineer has a specific role without overshadowing the group's identity, is the true success of Waves. It defines Moonchild through its collaborative nature, transforming prestigious guests into integral parts of a strong emotional structure.

Discographical context and collaborations

Waves continues a successful career, following Starfruit (2022), which in turn built upon previous releases such as Be Free (2012), Please Rewind (2014), Voyager (2017), and Little Ghost (2019). This album marks a significant turning point for the group, exploring more personal themes such as healing. The collaboration with Rapsody illustrates this evolution: while she had previously been featured by Moonchild on "Love I Need" (Starfruit, 2022), the roles are now reversed, with a new dynamic. Other artists such as Jill Scott, Astyn Turr, D Smoke, Robert Glasper, PJ Morton, Chris Dave, Gretchen Parlato, Dayna Stephens, Elena Pinderhughes, Erin Bentlage, Lalah Hathaway, Rae Khalil, Brittney Carter, and Christie Dashiell also contribute to the project.

Technical Details

- Release Date : February 20, 2026 - Label : Tru Thoughts - Tracks : 14 (50 minutes 55 seconds) - Opening / Closing : Not Sorry / Afterglow - Guest Artists : Jill Scott, Rapsody, Astyn Turr, D Smoke, Robert Glasper, PJ Morton, Chris Dave, Gretchen Parlato, Dayna Stephens, Elena Pinderhughes, Erin Bentlage, Lalah Hathaway … - Previous Album : Starfruit (2022)