Black Grapefruit’s “Mind” will brighten up your day

Formerly known as SOS, the Portland experimental pop duo of Randa Smith and Brian Dekker have reconvened under the new name Black Grapefruit. Their debut album, an emotion-filled spiritual celebration titled All My Relations, comes out August 10, and today they are sharing the first single from that project. "Mind" is an exuberant, afropop-tinged production that draws much of its strength from Smith's richly layered harmonies and Dekker's heart-pounding percussion. Listen to it once, and then a couple times more, and get sent off into your day in brighter spirits.

Of the upcoming record, Brian and Randa wrote via email: "The inspiration came from the energy and sounds of the backyard — family cookouts that became so dear to us while we were living in Brooklyn. We wanted this song to feel like a DJ mixed a Ladysmith Black Mambazo a capella over a soca beat. Something fresh and electronic, yet familiar enough to feel near to the source. Life is really beautiful and carefree sometimes and we wanted a song on the album to reflect that, because so much of our work is dense and emotional." Listen to "Mind" below.