Estelle was a cool breeze when she blew across the often cynical British music scene in 2004 with poppy, autobiographical hip-hop tracks such as “1980.” The London singer didn’t really make an impact in the United States until the 2008 release of her second album, Shine, on John Legend’s label, HomeSchool. If Estelle appeared sweetly charming and even innocent with songs such as “American Boy,” which featured a rap by Kanye West, her recent single “Make Her Say (Beat It Up)” might surprise you. Over a slinky, insistently sinful beat, Estelle coolly declares, “Beat the pussy up” and invites her lover, “You can fuck me again, babe, but never the same.” Yesterday’s pop-soul ingénue is suddenly today’s dance-club dominatrix. Whether she’s trying to be shocking or just feeling horny, the new Estelle is nonetheless irresistible.

Sun., Dec. 7, 8 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 12/07/14)

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