Less important than the genre these days is the songwriting and what you put into it – how much of yourself you allow the music to present, how well structured it is, how easily it connects and entertains or lets an audience escape. You get a good balance of all of this with Cleaned Out.
Music
Underneath the colourful exterior though is an artist with a conscious approach to rap and something heartfelt to talk about, and that’s what you begin to appreciate when you let the track play and you really, fully listen.
DeeZire are a duo with voices designed for precisely the kind of smooth and soulful RnB vibes presented on this single. All Night Long is a gorgeously ambient track with a classically warm aura and some likable levels of nostalgia – the sort that easily take you somewhere calm and comforted.
Occasionally you can get either an incredibly impressive backing track or an incredibly captivating leading vocalist – rarely do you get the pleasure of experiencing both at once. In this case, the music and the performances – the lyricism, the flow, the tone – everything is well above par.
Skillfully fusing feelings of ambient calm with those a little more industrially energized, this single offers a dash of influence from the likes of Massive Attack – though with a hint of notably experimental, alternative creativity.
Junior’s single Love Is Gone is one that swiftly evolves from simple pop to outstanding soul-rock within a few short minutes. Where the verses have a certain delicacy about them, a quietness even, the hook pours through as this completely unexpected moment of brightness – a choir of voices, a multi-layered rock soundscape, and a wonderful reminder of acts such as Queen and Prince alike – a fine fusion of royalty.
King St. offer a simple fusion of Americana and indie-pop with their latest album, all connected beautifully with some poetic and heartfelt songwriting.
Raymond Dickerson keeps classic funk and soul alive in one mighty swoop with this single Dixie. Bringing together raw vocals, an infectious rhythm, and a rock and roll edge that emerges during the latter half, the song offers a whole host of musical perks that work wonderfully in uplifting and energizing the room.
The soundscape itself loops out & around you as a soothing constant – that riff, that subtle sense of rhythm, that voice; all of it connects in a masterful yet natural way. Fusing poetry with personal reflections on life, the lyrics captivate & offer a fine balance between individual truth and a more widely accessible feeling of isolation or being lost.
There’s familiarity in the way the whole thing pours through. There’s not a common set-up, it doesn’t feel verse-chorus-like, it just emerges and moves along like an ambient hip hop loop; adding further to that laid back, calming energy.
Love lifts us up in often unpredictable ways, and this album is a testament to that honor. Undoubtedly one of the most eclectic and enjoyable releases of Imbred’s to date.
KC Sisters harmonize beautifully on this refreshing take on The Marvelettes 1960’s classic Please Mr. Postman. It’s a pleasure to hear this song again after so long, especially when it’s been given such a light and lovely makeover.