Ezra Collective – Here Because of Hope Review

Across three parts tracing the movement of people, culture and sound, Ezra Collective turn hope into some of their most joyful and affecting music yet.

Following their Mercury Prize win for Where I’m Meant to Be, Ezra Collective’s 2024 album Dance, No One’s Watching saw them manifest true dancefloor joy, building a world through their sound. One-upping themselves, Here Because of Hope brings a heightened level of coherence. Presented in three parts, the album celebrates the movement of people, culture and sound across generations, culminating in their most poignant and impressive work yet.

‘I feel it deep within my soul, that my feet will land on solid ground…’ reads Letitia Wright, opening the band’s fourth studio album with spoken word. Catching you off guard in the most beautiful way, opening track ‘Blow Your Trumpet’ brings a soulful quality, easing listeners into the world of Ezra Collective. Juxtaposing melancholic overtones with jubilant piano, the track’s production feels carefully considered without sacrificing the rawness of the playing.

On ‘Sweet Echo’, Femi Koleoso’s brilliantly fast-paced percussion underpins the exchanges between trumpet and organ, firmly landing on the sweet spot between funk and jazz. Bassist TJ Koleoso puts in a roaring, robust performance, his dexterity helping to drive the track forward. As it builds, the musicians’ energy becomes increasingly infectious. ‘Sweet Echo’ gives the album’s focus on hope a physical expression: it makes you want to move.

One of the most extraordinary things about Ezra Collective is their ability to refresh their sound while staying true to the foundations of the musical styles they explore. The result is music that feels familiar yet full of possibilities. Take ‘Only Love’, featuring the mighty Pa Salieu: its West African influences sit alongside a contemporary vocal presence, continuing the album’s conversation between generations. Similarly, ‘Black Flag’ has echoes of Herbie Hancock, though the track remains recognisably Ezra Collective. There’s a creative curiosity running through both that keeps the record moving.

Letitia Wright returns with spoken word to introduce the album’s second part. These passages give context to the music around them, adding a poetic edge and helping the transitions feel intentional. The loose-fitting ‘Birdie Sings’ continues the story through the Caribbean. Its heavy dub sound lays the foundations for James Mollison’s ever-ardent tenor saxophone, each note a small detail within a much wider story. His performance feels intimate and original, bringing a distinct voice to the surrounding weight.

‘The Last Stand’ draws out a darker energy through its low piano chords and quietly militant percussion. The horns moving in unison suggest an uprising in the face of adversity, while Ife Ogunjobi’s trumpet conveys feelings that are difficult to put into words. As the track draws to a close, we are left with just bass and percussion. The story’s heart goes beating on.

Another strength of Ezra Collective is their focus on storytelling, creating a real sense of rise and fall across the album. Lila Iké adds a subtle yet radiant pop energy to ‘Well Organised’, offering a moment to settle after the preceding intensity. Elsewhere, ‘El Corazón’ and ‘Bunny on the Rise’ turn up the heat, bringing an increase in pace and ardour. Both return us to that dancefloor joy, constructed to keep you grooving into the early hours.

Carrying the story back to London, Leona Lewis opens the third part with a sultry performance on ‘All I Need’. Reminiscent of 1970s lovers rock, it feels so old skool yet so current. Keeping the focus on London, ‘Jubilee Feeling’ brings UK garage energy. Held down by a deep-cutting snare, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones plays with precise technical skill. His handling of rhythm and pace makes for an exciting and joyous listen, leaving us with no doubt that we are back partying on home soil.

Stitched together by Ezra Collective’s focus on hope and renewal, Here Because of Hope is a remarkable accomplishment. To move through so many musical styles and emotions while maintaining this sense of coherence is no small thing. Each change of pace feels part of the same story, with the quieter passages giving the celebrations that follow them greater meaning. Ezra Collective make hope something you can hear in the exchanges between the musicians, and feel in the urge to get up and dance.