Not only does New York multi-instrumentalist Xenia Rubinos have a remarkably unique voice, as demonstrated on her two albums, she also uses that voice to express an opinion. On her latest record, Black Terry Cat, she tackles the position of the non-white laborers who keep the American economy afloat in the song Mexican Chief, for instance. Musically speaking the song has a punk and funk drive that resounds throughout the entire album, while it's filled with a lot of soul as well as rap and vocals. It is in line with a series of albums made by African American women who confidently spoke about their identity last year, like Solange, Beyoncé, and Alicia Keys. But Xenia Rubinos sounds rougher, the bass is deeper, and the beats are louder and contrast sharply with her keyboard playing and singing. Rubinos leaves a profound impression.
