Today, I have a new Top 5 Male R&B Artist. Elijah Blake delivered a R&B classic with his sophomore album, “Audiology.” The 14 track album gives us pure vocals, and the forgotten art of storytelling in music.
Listening to this album, I regained a lost piece of myself. Blake revealed truth and honesty with this piece; R&B has a strong soldier on its hands. This album is a transparent look into Blake’s soul, from the first song, “Occupied,” to the last song, “Momma Knows.” “Momma Knows,” alone, tells the story of Blake being molested as a child, something he revealed a recent Billboard interview.
“The last song on the album, “Momma Knows,” deals with something I’m coming to terms with: I was molested as a child. And that’s what this album is talking about. I don’t have all the answers because I’m still learning; these are the issues I’m working on but I’m not quite there yet.”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfA3C088urQ&w=560&h=315]
The first track, “Occupied,” is reminiscence of early 2000’s R&B, while talking about love and love at first sight with more of an up-tempo beat, he slowed it down towards the end, giving us runs and scats. From. that first track alone, it captures the audience and draws them in with a familiar feeling. The song flows effortlessly into the second track, “Dopeamine.”
Dopeamine: [Verse 1]
Finna get wreckless/ I’m all one, I’m on now/ Hit me with the text message/ I can’t talk, it’s too loud/ Man, look at me now/ Super fucked up/ Two adderalls later and I’m ‘bout to fall down/ But there’s plenty more rounds to go
[Pre-Chorus]
I feel like/ Falling in love, falling in love, tonight/ Ah yeah, yeah, yeah/ I feel like/ Falling in love, falling in love, surpass the light/ Baby you’re gonna be… all mine/ Give me drugs, give me the drugs, tonight/ Do me like kush, keep it OG/ You should slide through on the low-key/ ‘Cause low-key
[Chorus]
Baby I’m a fiend, I’m a fiend/ Oh you know you got me going off your dopamine/ All I really need, all I need, is for you to put me on to the recipe, yeah/ Ooh, ooh/ Purple flowers, candy showers, in the air/ You, you/ Dance for hours as I watch from over here
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0wFPG0Jf1w&w=560&h=315]
The self discovery Blake takes on during this album is appreciative in the black male discovery. In the words of Master P, “Black kids don’t have rehab, we have to rehab ourselves.” This album comes across as therapeutic for Blake and its listeners.
Not only is this Blake’s second album, but its his first album independent. Listening to this album compared to his first; the difference is clear, and the artistry and freedom has prevailed. There is even homages to artists before him His song, “Technicolor,” is very Prince inspired, with hints of Michael Jackson. #IssaVibe
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrIAJ7kcxRw&w=560&h=315]
Blake is stripped down naked on his album cover, and it’s a good representation for the music we’re getting. Everything is stripped away to showcase the talent, showcase the emotions, showcase the stories and Blake as an artist.
This is the type of music that needs to be presented onto radio airwaves, music we can understand and clearly hear. Music with meaning; artistry at its best. “Audiology” comes across as a part of Blake’s biology, the essence of who he is, and the artist he is and is trying to be (in terms of getting better).
For any true music lover, genre aside, this is an album worth listening to. Lyrics, vocals, runs, production and all. You can listen to “Audiology” here, and physical copies will be following shortly after.