Spotify Listen Link: Miguel – Kaleidoscope Dream
2013 Grammys:
- Nominations:
- Song of the Year, "Adorn"
- Best R&B Performance, "Adorn"
- Best Urban Contemporary Album
- Producer of the Year, Non-Classical - Salamm Remi, "How Many Drinks?"
- WIN: Best R&B Song, "Adorn"
Well, can't lie, the guy's voice totally had me and my roommates in awe during the Grammys. He's got silk going on, and it's lovely. The sad part was that we were all sitting there going "who is this guy??" Now, that being said, what's the rest of the album like?
This is actually Miguel's second studio album. This time around, he wanted a more hands-on creative approach, so he gtook to writing and producing. There's apparently a classing R&B sound, infused with electricity - literally, to give texture to the songs. Lyrically, we're in for an album that "generally dicusses sexual and romantic themes." The title's a metaphor for his life and personality.
So we start off with the major single, "Adorn." It really is today's R&B, and he really does have a great voice. Do I love the music? Honestly, no. The bass is a little too strong and the melody is a little too airy at times to get in to. It's got an overly-sexual sound to it, even if the lyrics aren't necessarily portraying that. I don't know… I guess it's okay once, but beyond that I could do without, yah know? | |
Next up is another bass-filled track, "Use Me." It's like this isn't meant to just be played across normal computer speakers because you're supposed to feel each and every thud against your head. You're certainly not supposed to hear the lyrics with any coherency, because they're so layered and annoying I'm tuning them out automatically. I even left to go throw dinner back in the refrigerator, and I came back to absolutely no difference in sound. The song never ends, and not in the cute way the kid's sort goes. It just never stops until your lulled to a gentle blackout as an escape.
| "Do You…" starts out gentle and airy, just sort of pulling you in as it goes with a mellow R&B mode. I guess the song's okay as it moves in with a stronger beat and more questions. I guess. There's a story, sort of, there. It does kind of feel like too much was added in at once, so the song becomes just a tad overwhelming in spots. The ones where it pulls back give you a moment to breath and figure it out though. |
"The Thrill" is kind of cool. I mean, at least this is a vision to have with the music that maybe doesn't embarrass me in front of my mother or require hallucinogenic. Or maybe I'm missing the point here completely but either way, I'm okay with it. The sound is and awesome mix of light beats with harmonies as it flows on the breeze. This is something to hear even if you can't focus into the lyrics all that closely.
So we cut right to the point with "How Many Drinks?" It takes him only two lines to mention "in your pants." And the whole chorus is a wondering about how many drinks it will get to get her to leave with him. I mean, at least he's somewhat honest with his intentions and what's on his mind. You only hear this kind of stuff come out so up-front in a handful of songs, so I guess it's good we have another one to add to the list…?
"Where's the Fun in Forever" has a nice little old-school sound to it. Lyrically now, I'm only getting hints here and there, but it seems to largely play off as a tale about being more interested about now than the future. Sort of an anti-commitment notion. I'm really trying to chalk this up to just not hearing something though. The line "tomorrow's just a day away" has a live-in-the-moment vibe to it, so maybe the Hardyz' theme is in play.
Yah know, this is probably not the album to be listening to first thing in the morning in my office. "Arch & Point" isn't really audible in all parts, but the mood of the music itself says sex, sex, and more sex. How was this nominated for a Grammy? Normally that's not the nature of their nominations, but I'm starting to wonder what I really know anymore.
"Pussy Is Mine" probably isn't going to be much better. It's probably a little sad that I'm just aiming to get through this album at this point. I mean, I'm all for hot and steamy content I suppose, but I think I said this back on an R Kelly album or something that felt equally inappropriate - I just don't need an entire album on sex. | |
| Final song on the album is "Candles In the Wind." Seems to have that 'last song' feel to it with very final strings of melodies. There's a very typical, but gentle R&B sound to close things out, finally. |
- "Don't Look Back"
- "The Thrill"
Nice voice, obviously, but nothing outstanding musically. I can't fall in love with the guy's lyrics, and because of that I can't love his voice as much as I'd like to. Give him just about any other song to sing and I'd probably do a 180, but for now this just will not be someone I'll follow up with.