Saturday, August 1, 2020

MUSIC REVIEW 011 - Adrian Knight - Pleasure Center



I am exceptionally excited to hear a new Adrian Knight album in a time that seems to find new releases stagnating from quarantine ambivalence. From the get, Mr. Knight brings a denser direction to his notable harmonic language. With more sophistication than ever, the prolific sophistipop composer brings perhaps his heaviest synthesizer patches and most introspective lyrical content yet.

The second track "Pleasure Center" brings some amazing bass playing, deft songwriting, and really imaginative horn arrangements in a track that nearly evokes a "Boston Rag" ala Steely D. I'm eagerly anticipating the accompanying lyrics video so I can sing/sway along.

"Quarantined" is a real jazz-funk groove and was my favorite track on the album. Adrian Knight's chord changes fly where few other sophistipop musicians dare. So unpredictable are the harmonic twists and turns that I'm uncertain whether it would be appropriate to either laugh or either cry. 

"Captain's Log" is some straight break beat funk which finds Mr. Knight delivering some of his rawest bass lines to accompany an outstanding vocal performance! 

"Invisible Man" shows some real flash in the bass department with a catchy series of hooks throughout. There is a really fantastic synth solo in the outro.

"Lasertown" has some heavy grooves and some excellent woodwinds by David Lackner, head of Galtta Media.

"Drifter" finds Knight cooing smoothly over a synthesizer ballad.

"Waiting for a Ride", the album's closing track is a smooth trip down a street and back, which seems much less common in this day and age. 

Overall, I loved this album and I'm prepared for repeat listens. Its among the finest albums I've heard that have been released since the quarantine started and is a real envelope pusher in terms of modern pop in general


..AVAILABLE AUGUST 7, 2020..
....PRE-ORDER HERE!!....


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