It’s been a crazy couple of months for Aloe Blacc since the release of ‘Wake Me Up’, his monster EDM collaboration with Avicii. Now, following the 2010 release of his last record Good Things, Blacc returns with Lift Your Spirit, a highly optimistic collection that is driven by the strength of the artist’s voice.
The album shines through in its utter confidence, best represented in ‘The Man’. This powerful single best portrays Blacc as an artist, with his repetitive deep vibrato “I’m the man” causing listeners to believe it.
Pharrell Williams brings forward his production talents in another great track ‘Love Is The Answer’, which provides a fresh genre change as sexy jazz funk oozes from the groovy bass guitar’s rhythmic line. The acoustic rendition of ‘Wake Me Up’ is a refreshing change that draws upon folk influences, a stripped-back version that instils a passion in the listener to maximise every single day.
The Californian creatively mixes changing tempos, especially in ‘Ticking Bomb’, where instruments and vocal techniques combine to create an enjoyable listen. It’s obvious that a lot of care and attention has been paid towards the production of the album, proved by the multi-layered, orchestral arrangements, including violin, piano, trumpet, and at one point, a brilliant gospel choir in ‘The Man’.
However, the true star is his voice. That smooth r n’ b and soul-esque baritone powers each and every track with a smoky haze. The singer caresses each lyric seriously and powerfully to increase its melodic impact, an factor that makes Lift Your Spirit an impressive LP.
Watch the clip for ‘The Man’ from Lift Your Spirit here:
