TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES / Snoh Aalegra / July 9, 2021
- Joshua Yoo
- Jul 27, 2021
- 1 min read
Already two albums into her career, Snoh Aalegra has carved her place at the forefront of atmospheric lush R&B. With her third, she builds on her craft with more passionate performances, bold and pushing production, and still ever-present air of sensuous and romantic ardor.
With help from a variety of keynote contributors in her field, including Pharrell Williams, Tyler, The Creator, and executive producer No I.D., production choices across the project are consistently robust and layered, and Snoh is able to operate in a much wider area of styles to her great advantage. “NEON PEACH” is an instance of this, the droning synthesizers, emphatic beat, and bittersweet hook accentuating the tension and chemistry from Snoh and Tyler’s electric performances, or “IN YOUR EYES”, the trademark Neptunes spark showcased by the punchy percussion and intoxicating, sugary groove.
At the core of the album is Snoh’s vocal ability, her velvet tone and entrancing performances enveloping listeners into her own world. It’s multifaceted, at times sultry and hot-blooded (“LOST YOU”), and at others refreshingly bouncy and playful (“IN THE MOMENT”). Her timbre never overextends, finding power in understated yet passionate delivery.
Expanding her style while retaining the elements of her timeless sound, Snoh finds the ideal balance. Exuding elegance and polish, the album captures the soul of its creator quite fittingly.
Highlight(s): VIOLET SKIES, NEON PEACH, LOST YOU, IN YOUR EYES, TANGERINE DREAM, IN THE MOMENT, TASTE, WE DON’T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT
Lowlight(s): SAVE YOURSELF, JUST LIKE THAT
SCORE: 8/10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KboeThRnpBo
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