From the second you hear Brandon Anderson Paak's voice, you can tell that he is special. His musical range and artistry is a unique blend of 70’s soul, R&B, Hip-Hop, EDM, Funk, Rock n’ Roll and Blues. He showcases his versatility by effortlessly blending his naturally soft, raspy voice into a straight from the street narrative rhyme style which steadily floats over airy and experimental tracks.
After losing his father to prison and having a gambling addict mother, getting laid off from his marijuana farmer job, homelessness and God knows what, who would’ve thought Anderson .Paak would become an overnight success and produce an album that’s lively and vibrant album as Malibu from his life journey?
On Malibu, .Paak celebrates his progression as an artist and person by acknowledging where he’s come from, the trials he’s endured and things he’s seen. “I had to wake up just to make it through, I got my patience and I'm making do/I learned my lessons from the ancient roots, I choose to follow what the greatest do,” .Paak asserts on the soulful piano/trumpet combination “The Bird” which opens the album and sets the tone for the rest of the project. From there, Anderson .Paak effortlessly transitions and dances through the melting pot of prominent genres sounds 16 track project.
One minute you're listening to an early-’00s neo-soul impression on “The Waters,” then the '60s soul-filled on "Put Me Thru," and next to ‘70s psychedelic funk on “Light Weight”. Paak smoothly incorporates these past sounds with his very own and surprisingly makes them have modern feel towards listeners.
Even with a short list of guest features on Malibu, the songs are still lively and ambitious. "Without You" featuring Rapsody, shares remanence of '90s G-funk hip-hop and On "Am I Wrong", a disco club grooves cut featuring Schoolboy Q, it displays both artists spitting boisterous rhyming about dancing and '90s hip-hop on "Without You."
"I spent years being called out my name, living under my greatness," .Paak asserts on "The Season / Carry Me," a shape-shifting album highlight.
Much like Kendrick Lamar, .Paak skillfully depicts his surroundings while remaining in the foreground.
Malibu offers a sense of wonder that's carefully rooted in funk and soul, and presents a complete vision from a blossoming new artist that's not only fearless, but leading something of a sonic revolution.
Essential Tracks: "Heart Don't Stand a Chance", "The Waters" featuring BJ the Chicago Kid, "Am I Wrong" featuring Schoolboy Q, "Parking Lot", "Silicon Valley" and "Lite Weight"
