Artist: Musiq Soulchild
Album: MusiqInTheMagiq
Release Date: 5.3.2011
There’s a reason Musiq Soulchild wins with every album. He has a unique way of giving voice to real-life love situations and connecting with his audience. “MusiqInTheMagiq” is an album all about relationships, the ups-and-downs, the fears and triumphs and the outcomes. It’s not that he’s saying anything particularly new, but the R&B singer constantly finds new ways to give voice to common human experiences, and he delivers an album that shows maturity and what it’s like to be in love – in the real world.
The lead single ‘Anything’ comes with a high-energy vibe courtesy of its live band sound and a guest appearance from Swizz Beatz, but it’s the only song if it’s kind on the project. The constant evolution of the Soulchild sound brings us mostly mid-tempos and slow jams. The melodies are what propel the album’s 12 tracks and give it a sense of vividness. Instant favorites on the album are Single, Silver & Gold, Back To Where, Do We Have To, Yes and Medicine. Honestly, it’s hard to find a song on this album that I didn’t like, even the old school harmonies on Love Contract sound so fresh with the arrangement and energy Musiq puts into the song. Waiting Still gives me vibes of old school El DeBarge, but not just for the smooth falsetto on the song. The melody, the content, it all sounds so mature and is a song I could really hear El taking on.
MusiqInTheMagiq is easily one of Musiq’s best efforts to date. The concepts flow well, the subject matter connects and the performance is one of his best, vocally speaking. For an artist on his sixth album with 10 years under his belt, he hasn’t continued to win without evolving his sound in some ways, but the balance he maintains keeps his sound from going too far left. Sure it’s comfortable, but it works. I’d consider it one of the finer R&B releases of the year… pure magic, pure Musiq!
Sound-Savvy rates MusiqInTheMagiq with 4.5 out of 5 platinum headphones.
I just got the album last night and I couldn’t have made the purchase at a better time. I instantly connected with the album as most of the songs describe me and my current relationship. Keep em comming Musiq.
The local radio stations in dc/md are playing some of his tracks today and I love them! You’re exactly right on how he captures everyday situations (love/relationships) in his music. I have to get this album.
I completely agree! I’m def loving this album…pretty much from start to finish, which is rare for me. Great to see artists out there that are still treating music as an art form, and not just trying to be a part of some “machine.”
Great work, Musiq!