Tom Krell started out his career by hiding himself in shrouds of mysticism, muffling his spectral R&B with vocal effects and lo-fi techniques and sending out only out-of-focus photos of himself. So it’s striking that Krell’s newest, best album is so emotionally naked, so exultant in its self-disclosure. On “What Is This Heart?”, Krell strips the effects from his voice and sings, passionately and eloquently, about hidden fears and deep needs, drawing as much psychic inspiration from emo as he ever did from R&B. Musically, the album is grand and majestic, with synths that layer up like sheets of glass. Altogether, it’s a pretty, pretty thing. –Tom [LISTEN]