Half my review is done

update in OP

Still dropping my review in like an hour. S*** is fat need to proofread first.

Excited as hell to review this one. I meant to just listen once then type this up but I’ve listened to it like 10 times in the last 3 days by the time I’m finishing this. I forgot how replayable this is. The album that really got me into D’Angelo. Voodoo was too inaccessible for me before I was really understood this album and what makes D’Angelo special. You know the deal we going track to track.

Ain’t That Easy - funky, groovy, one of my favorite choruses and deliveries on the entire album. Lyrically D’ Angelo goes back and forth from stating this muse needs him to bring out their best but by the end he admits he needs them to do the same for him. My favorite part of a lot of this album is how ominous some of the lines sound and how they can be taken as philosophical musings as well as lyrics that fit the narrative of the song. “Ever live with a choice that you can’t decide” “you won’t believe all the things you have to sacrifice just to get some peace of mind” gives me chills every time.

1000 deaths- never was a major highlight for me but I’ve listened to this album 3 - 4 times in preparation for this review and I really love the drums coming in under this Fred Hampton sample at the beginning. The instrumental is muddy in the best way invoking sly and the family stone but in the modern era. The driving nature of the drums really stands out for me I love it. D’s vocals are particularly muddied here I’m not 100% what he’s talking about even reading the lyrics lmao but I’m sure it’s related to the intro of the song.

The Charade- Definite highlight, a Prince song done in D’s style from the vocals to the instrumental. I never realized how political this song is. One thing that I’m sure is semi intentional on his part is how much a lot of his vocals leave the music up to your own interpretations. Yes the lyrics are just as important (especially here) but his voice is just another piece of the vibe and texture of his music it’s so interesting. It’s The drums and bass line come together wonderfully as well. “All we wanted was a chance to talk instead we only got outlined in chalk” powerful powerful s*** played over an upbeat instrumental.

Sugar Daddy- feels like some 1920’s ass jive zootsuit music and I love it. I had no idea what the lyrics actually were until this listen and it just makes the song funnier and stranger. I wonder that the narrative of the album is supposed to be.

Really Love- the first song I’d ever heard off this album way way back in like 2016. Never knew what the woman at the beginning was saying until now but it juxtaposes D’Angelo’s proclamations of being in really love, that she’s patient with him as he knows he’s not always the easiest lover to be with this woman’s admissions in Spanish (a language he likely doesn’t know, thus her hidden feelings are in plain sight yet still out of reach) that he is a jealous and possessive lover whom she still loves despite it all. Gorgeous acoustic guitar with a Latin flavor (fitting given the woman’s monologue in Spanish) beautiful instrumentation all the way around with the orchestral elements, thumping bassline. One of the few D songs with his vocals being clear and up front which makes sense with the lyrics being so integral to the songs message. He isn’t hiding or obscuring his love (vocals) unlike his lover.

Back to The Future 1 - a highlight for me on the album. Love the thumping beat, weird ass synth thing that kicks the song, the touch of orchestral strings hits the right spot. The lyrics and message always hit me hard especially given the time in my life when I first got into this song. “The season may come when your luck just may run out, and all that you’ll have is a memory” - is such a poignant and scarily real message, that’s simple but made all the lord powerful when delivered with the lyrics “I just want to go back, back to the way it was”

Till It’s Done (tutu)- “The question ain’t do we have the resources to rebuild, it’s do we have the will” a song that grapples with death and existential questions we will all face until well- until it’s done. A song with lyrics detailing environmental failures on behalf of humans in light of these existential questions but without being corny. Light feeling instrumental with a lovely groove and dark lyrics detailing the human condition as it stands today. Also I love the drums on this.

Prayer- heavy muggy beat, feels like a funeral that’s soundtracked with a groovy bass and some funky guitar licks. Lyrically this is a song about religion and praying for redemption so we can all reach the promised land. To ignore the devils attempts to hurt you and dissuade you on this journey towards light, towards god. Never was a major highlight for me but it’s still a great song. It’s a religious song done tastefully imo.

Betray My Heart- feels like a jam sesh with its loose groove but this isn’t a negative observation at all. Jeez I keep saying groove and noting the basslines but every song is groovy with amazing bass. This song finds D reassuring his loved one that his heart is strong for them. His love is as sure as the sun in the sky and the moon in the night.

The Door- folksy and country in best way. The whistle melody is so catchy and was a nice touch. An ode to a style of music that originated from black artists. Here we find D telling his lover to be careful not lock themselves out of that door. I’m not sure if this means closing the door to his heart via betrayal or if he’s telling them (and by proxy, us the listener) to be careful in what decisions you make as you never know when you may close and lock a door for good whether in love or friendship.

BTTF II- I wonder if there’s a narrative overall on this album given that this reprise interlude esque songs placement here towards the end of the album. I will say this song isn’t necessary to the album and is the only song that makes the album feel bloat ish . But maybe it’s placement between The Door and Another Life holds the answer to why it’s here.

Another Life- on an album full of incredible vocal performances this may be my favorite. He sounds like an Angel and the sentiment of the lyrics hits close to home. I’ve never sat and read his lyrics I usually just go with the vibe of the song and pick up what I can. His music is even more poetic than I realized. Also this s*** passes the f***ing whip test goddamn the drums and bass on this album are immaculate.

These recent relistens have really cemented Black Messiah as an album that competes with Voodoo for me. The lyrics in particular standout heavily for me. It feels like he’s speaking directly to you the listener without preaching to you or being heavy handed. He’s sharing wisdom.

If Voodoo was an album in vein of celebrating the legacy of great artists from the golden age of soul like Marvin, Al and the like, then this album is a dedication to Sly, Prince, and to a wider array of black music. He tackles themes of love/relationships , environmentalism, existential crisis, death, god and religion over some incredibly put together tracks that despite their dense layers feel understated. Every piece is in it’s right place to the point you don’t even notice how perfectly put together it is.

D’Angelo can take as long as he wants to drop if this is the quality we can expect every time. He’s truly one of one and I can only imagine he’s growing even more as an artist. This a classic album, deserves all its praise and then some.

such a great review man..

Review long asl lmao but on more reflection I think this may be one of my favorite albums oat

if anyone is interested in doing this again i will start it up