The Melody Mention: Anderson .Paak releases Malibu
Anderson .Paak, also known as Breezy Lovejoy to his day one fans, is an artist who wears many hats of singer-rapper-musician and had quite the breakout year in 2015. Perhaps it was his features on albums such as The Game’s Documentary 2.5, Goldlink’s And After That We Didn’t Talk, or Dr. Dre’s Compton. The co-sign from Dre was all Anderson needed to push his career to the next level.
I was first introduced to Anderson’s music when he opened up for SZA and Jhene Aiko on the 2014 Enter The Void tour. Although he released his debut album Venice shortly before the tour launch, I wasn’t familiar with his music. However once I saw him perform, he grabbed my attention with his witty stage presence and dominant musicianship.
Keeping the California city theme alive and undeniable love for his home state, Anderson is back with his sophomore album, Malibu. The 16-track album features production from Madlib, 9th Wonder, Hi-Tek, and DJ Khalil, as well as artists like BJ the Chicago Kid, The Game, Schoolboy Q, and Talib Kweli.
Reaching fans from baby boomers to millennials who appreciate timeless music, Malibu breeds an eclectic fusion like no other. He blends elements from hip-hop, soul, electronica, and old-school to showcase his versatile vocal range and love for different genres. Perhaps it’s his comparable tone to D’Angelo’s raspy timbre or his melodic flows along the lines of Childish Gambino that capture you in. Whatever the case, Malibu is the ideal feel-good album whether you’re lounging on a beach or taking a road trip that you can play from beginning to end.
Not only does the Cali native bring listeners in with his mellow tone on the album’s first track “The Bird,” he also shows how much fire he can spit with his bars on “The Waters” featuring BJ the Chicago Kid. His rap skills are the perfect compliment to BJ’s soulful ad-libs and dreamy hook.
Anderson takes fans on a journey in music history as he uses different genre eras between tracks. “Put Me Thru” is a guitar-driven anthem with a Motown vibe as he sings about being hurt in a relationship. A song that perhaps one of the ’60s groups would perform as the ultimate toe-tapper. He then moves into the disco decade on “Am I Wrong” that includes a massive horn section on the bridge. Accompanied by TDE rapper Schoolboy Q gives the song a more modern-day sound. Whereas “Parking Lot” is the perfect California surf song channeling beach pop, similar to The Mamas & The Papas or The Beach Boys with an R&B spin.
He concludes the album with “The Dreamer” featuring hip-hop veteran Talib Kweli. It’s a celebratory song in which Anderson sings about his past circumstances and overcoming life’s challenges. It’s an inspirational song that all young dreamers need to hear whenever they are faced with adversity and self-doubt.
So what’s the melody behind the Malibu album? Anderson .Paak creates a throwback sound with an avant-garde twist. He’s one of the few artists creating his own lane to a point in which you can’t distinguish him with only one type of sound.
