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Madison McFerrin
I Hope You Can Forgive Me
Madmcferrin Music
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Madison McFerrin has some ferocious musical DNA in her makeup. The daughter of the multiple GRAMMY-winning, musical polymath Bobby McFerrin and granddaughter of late operatic baritone Robert McFerrin, she stands in auspicious company just in family circles. Her debut album I Hope You Can Forgive Me has been a while in the making, with her earliest sojourns into the public eye coming in 2016.
Now, a couple of EPs and a number of collaborations later, her debut offers a bright and breezy evolution of the sound that Questlove labeled “soul-appella.” Those early songs showcased her father’s influence in their use of the human voice as inventive and imaginative accompaniments, but this work broadens out the instrumental scope of the tracks while still remaining true to the desire to showcase her vocal arrangements.
It is refreshingly concise and to the point too—it weighs in at just shy of half an hour, but takes in a raft of variations of soulful pop music. The album is bookended by two reminders of her earlier work. Both “Deep Sea” and “Goodnight” feature the glory of her vocal harmonizing—a swirling, whirling vortex of sonic beauty. The subject matter is consistently focused on love and relationships, with not just the good times being covered, but the harsher end of love too.
The sensuality of “Testify” comes courtesy of a stuttering, muted beat and gently thrumming bass. As she sings, “On my knees / we can pray / to the love / that we make,” the sensuality is only heightened by her sultry vocal arrangements.”
The sour side of love gets an airing on “Stay Away (From Me),” with its robust chorus augmented by organic drums alongside the house music beat. But that sour side is best expressed on the standout “Utah.” The soul/pop song bounces along buoyantly and is enlivened further by a guitar solo.
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The highlight, though, is “Run,” which features her father and his undoubted influence. More fabulous vocal atmospherics give way to a skittish beat, while Madison and her father lace the song with their redoubtable vocal talents.
McFerrin is clearly aware of the old showbiz adage “leave ‘em wanting more” and she manages that easily here with her beguiling vocal skills and arrangements alongside some solid songwriting and relatable lyrics. There’s a feeling that there is a lot more to come from her, but this is a successful showcase for her talents that stays in the mind long after it finishes.
Notable Tracks: “Run” | “Stay Away From Me” | “Utah”
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