dvsn – Sept. 5th (8/10)
Drake surrounds himself with some shady figures. The Weeknd remained anonymous until the release of his second mixtape. ILoveMakonnen received the co-sign on “Tuesday” from sheer obscurity. The OVO Sound roster receives a new mysterious crooner in the form of dvsn (pronounced “division”).
dvsn’s identity was fairly unknown until their revelation at the Fader Fort at SXSW. dvsn is the duo of singer Daniel Daley and producer Nineteen85. The producer’s involvement was known as singles were dropping from an anonymous singer. Nineteen85 carries a lot of weight as he is the producer behind Drake’s biggest pop and R&B hits: “Hotline Bling” and “Hold On, We’re Going Home.”
dvsn’s Sept 5th is pure bedroom music. Every song on the album is about sex and intimacy. While much of R&B, as well as rap, can treat sex as a casual interaction, the duo treats sex with passion, so much so that using the term “making love” seems more appropriate than “f***ing.”
The production level here is high with Nineteen85 using slow and trippy sounds to back Daley’s squeals and croons. Throughout the album, choirs appear to back up the singer, which makes him sound like pre-hiatus D’Angelo. The album opens strongly with its best track, “With Me,” using guitars and snares.
As with The Weeknd, Drake has once again picked a powerful singer lurking in anonymity with the ability to write powerful sensual lyrics. However, where The Weeknd acts as if he feels nothing at all, dvsn feels way too much.
Best Tracks: “With Me,” “Angela,” “Hallucinations”
TWENTY88 – Self-Titled (6.6/10)
Collaborative projects can be tricky. What A Time To Be Alive and Watch The Throne prove that collaborators with chemistry can come together to make great music. However, like Best of Both Worlds, the JAY Z-R. Kelly collaborative album, and 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne’s recent Collegrove, it’s not always perfect.
TWENTY88 is the surprise release by rapper Big Sean and singer Jhene Aiko. The two had previously collaborated on songs on Sean’s last two albums, “I Know” off Dark Sky Paradise and “Beware” with Lil Wayne off Hall of Fame. “Beware,” was actually a fairly solid break-up rap on a low-key synth beat.
However, TWENTY88 comes off as strange and undercooked. Since the two artists are of different genres, it feels more like Big Sean featuring Jhene Aiko. Sean generally raps the verses and Aiko fills in on the choruses. Sean tries to sing like Drake and his lower voice masks Aiko’s, which is much cleaner sounding.
The EP uses a lot of old-school production that is better for Aiko in a Lauryn Hill style, but again, Sean gets a majority of the airplay when he raps some decent but fairly unmemorable verses.
The two come off as a couple fighting and coming together throughout the album. (It was surprising to learn that they actually aren’t together and that Aiko is married to Kid Cudi-collaborator Dot Da Genius). The album is a generally mellow piece of R&B-rap even if it comes off pretty half-baked.
Best Tracks: “Selfish,” “On The Way,” “Memories Faded”
ZAYN – Mind of Mine (8/10)
All boy bands must eventually come to an end. It’s either dissolution or some form of mutation where middle-aged men end up singing on cruises and at theme parks. Justin Timberlake knew to get out of N’Sync and pursue a more successful and fluid solo career.
Zayn Malik, formerly of One Direction, knows that too. Malik departed the group in early 2015 and pursued a solo career.
The singer’s debut album Mind of Mine is a full 180 from the One Direction pop juggernaut. 1D’s commercial, formulaic pop is nowhere to be heard on this record. Mine is a complete R&B record from start to finish.
Malay, the mastermind behind Frank Ocean’s 2012 classic Channel Orange, helms production. Production is generally minimalist. While Malik is hardly comparable to Ocean as a songwriter, Malik finds a way to back the singer all the same. The instrumentation isn’t complex, which supports Malik’s crisp vocals.
Almost every song is expertly produced and really allows Malik to find his voice as an R&B singer. The lead single “Pillowtalk” is an excellent radio hit with a perfectly mixed chorus. “She” finds a groove for a perfectly tuned slow jam.
One Direction has announced a hiatus this year, which could mean the end is near for the rest of the group. While unlike N’Sync, there may be potentially several solo careers, at least one from Harry Styles one can safely assume. To get out early was a smart decision for Malik as he has already found his voice outside of a pop machine.
Best Tracks: “Pillowtalk,” “She,” “Truth”