Album Review/ R&B : Jeilani’s ‘Absence of Affection’
Jeilani is an R&B/ soul artist with an alternative pulse. With neo elements, fluid rhythm dynamics, experimental accents, and mellow beats, he creates frames of emotion, stories that reveal the experience of being human. In his latest release, ‘Absence of Affection’, the artist explores the complex labyrinth of heartache. A sphere that has been often and consistently explored across centuries in different art forms. However, Jeilani has made it his own, authentic sphere, one that not only spells out the experience but reveals the artist behind the music. And that connection is so sacred and powerful as you journey through the album.
In ‘Absence of Affection’, we see a changed life. It’s not just a world that has been devoid of affection, but a world that has seen it, felt it and lost it. The pain can be an abyss, one that consumes you. And he dives into this with a modern, edgy pulse that honors classic R&B but also leaves space to make it his own.
‘Mistakes’ opens the album. The track sets the stylistic tone for the album along with telling a wrenching tale about a toxic relationship. The stylings and production are so fluid. Imagine a mix of The Weeknd, Drake, and Leon Bridgers. There’s a little bit of everything, fused with a unique chemistry and emotion. Tracks like ‘Look What You’ve Done’ and ‘Rebound’ have a commercial appeal. It is dressed in remarkable beat cycles, and catchy vocal loops.
On the other hand, ‘New Obsession’ and ‘Over..?’ have a more introspective, intimate vibe. The songs have mellow flows, thoughtful vocals, and a reflective vibe overall. We see some rap scattered in the tracks. But more so in tracks like ‘Out of My Life (My Way)’ and ‘BS Demon’. It is interesting to see how the rap in both these tracks manifest in such different form and style. It speaks to his artistic vibe and the modernity of his craft. If you are in the market to experience alternative R&B, this artist is for you. Listen Now!
