Leven Kali
HIGHTIDE
Interscope
Listen Below

First impressions hold great value in music. With so many acts to sift through, fans often need to be hooked by their first listen. If not, that artist's name becomes just one more thing listeners scroll by.

I doubt that this is a problem Leven Kali has faced when it comes to his debut LP Low Tide (2019), one of the best R&B and soul albums released last year. It's hard to balance innovation and tradition, but Kali walked the line with poise.

The LP established his identity as an artist. Kali's vocals are breezy and his lyrics are filled with charm. The production behind him is eclectic, pulling from various genres. But there's a musicality and laid-back feel that unites all of the different sounds. This is a strong foundation for a young artist, and Kali builds on it with his latest offering titled HIGHTIDE.

The California singer begins his album with sounds that will be familiar to Kali's fans as well as some first-time listeners. "FIRE IN UR EYES" and "12345 (GET REAL)" both pull from '80s R&B, just as songs did on Low Tide. The tracks feature synths and cowbell hits that were staples in the days of New Jack Swing. Yet, Kali's tone distinguishes his performance from the belting voices heard over Teddy Riley tracks.

"12345 (GET REAL)" especially highlights Kali's strengths. The song is a melodic jam that'll have you singing along before you even realize it. Its chorus is catchy and Kali punctuates it with background harmonies that glide over the beat.

While "12345 (GET REAL)" sounds like a fun night on the town, "MADE 4 U" is the romantic wind down. The song is a smooth, guitar-driven duet with Syd of The Internet. The pair's soft tones blend seamlessly with the string play. And the singers use a melody in their verses that's reminiscent of a classic Ginuwine song, "Differences." This melody makes the verses slick, helping the courtship described in the lyrics come to life.

Other songs on the album aren't as alluring as "MADE 4 U," but they do retain the level of instrumentation heard on the track. One of the best examples is "FOREVER," a beautiful acoustic ballad. Over tranquil strings, Kali delivers his most sentimental lyrics on the LP. He sings, "Now everybody calls my name but / I don't ever feel the same when you do, when you do / And I don't wanna count the days but / No one else can stop the pain like you do."

There's warmth in both the song's sound and Kali's message. The feelings he expresses for a distant love match the sincerity in his voice. And as the strings pick up the pace during the chorus, the song turns into an "everybody, put your phones in the air" anthem.

"FOREVER" is a moving record and the same can be said for the album's last song. "LALALA" is a cheerful track on which Kali shifts his focus from romance to community. He sings about how music creates the shared experiences of which societal barriers tend to deprive people. The concept may seem corny to some, but the song isn't a remake of "Kumbaya." Instead, it’s an acknowledgement of the power Kali's album holds.

We're living in a time of disruption, uncertainty and loss. But songs like "LALALA" can provide the comfort needed to salvage our spirits. Music has the power to ease your mind and lift your mood, and HIGHTIDE is a testament to this. For first-time listeners and full-fledged fans, Kali's album will make a lasting impression.

Notable Tracks: “12345 (GET REAL)” | “DAY AFTER THE RAIN” | "FOREVER" | "MADE 4 U"

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