Meshell Ndegeocello’s Synonym, released October 2, is a collection of duets. Start with “Don’t You Want Me,” with Cat Power: Blue Note describes the Human League song reworked around reggae rhythm and horns. The single appeared August 7; the album is this week’s arrival. That distinction keeps a familiar preview from masquerading as a new track.
The album feature treats rearrangement as an interpretive choice. Another entry is “With God on Our Side,” with Bill Callahan and Chris Thile. These are listening leads grounded in the label’s descriptions, with no invented verdict from a play-through. Two voices inheriting a familiar song can change who seems to be speaking to whom; that is a good reason to start with one track before committing to the entire album.