Unfortunately, it was extremely difficult to find an album that merited a new release spotlight this week, but the following album pick should pique your interest if you haven’t heard of it already. Autre Ne Veut (aka Arthur Ashin) is the latest in a long line of what I like to call neo-R&B artists. His debut was a promising, albeit rough flirtation with R&B motifs. Two Days of Rain was an exceptional single, but the album as a whole was so-so. Fortunately, Autre Ne Veut does not fall victim to the sophomore slump with Anxiety. In fact, he outdoes himself and then some.
The one thing that immediately distinguishes Anxiety from its predecessor is that it has some rich production value and downright sexy hooks, even when Ashin ruminates on a failed relationship or his own mortality. Things get off to an amazing start with Play By Play, which is seething with passion and some great tempo shifts. Counting, a song about Ashin’s dying grandmother, is a heart-wrenching portrait of grief that will leave your ears wanting more. Anxiety is a relatively short album, and half of the songs are over within 2 or 3 minutes, but there isn’t a single wasted moment on this album; no filler whatsoever. From Play By Play’s first shimmering notes to the crooning chorus that closes out World War, the only thing you’ll want to do is hit the replay button when it’s over.
Anxiety is available now for an incredibly low price. You can thank me later.
