Maxwell starts his new album by schooling us in All The Ways That Love Can Feel.
And who better to do so?
Yet never has he matched his amorous entreaties to sounds as broad and fresh as these.
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The music refigures the rhythms, and brings fresh textures, to familiar soul sounds.
Seven years have lapsed between the first BLACKsummersnight and this sequel.
In the latest phase, he shows a new level of aggression and variety.
Maxwells vocals also morph, from heavenly highs to lows that can recall Prince at his gritties.
Like His Purpleness, Maxwell upholds an elaborate sense of melody.
While Maxwells peers have evolved their lyrical point of view, Maxwell has stuck with his.
He still sings of relationships in aspirational terms, casting them as stabs at transcendence.
On III, he reveals a romantic role model: Michelle Obama, the first name-check of his career.
And on Of All Kind, he idealizes marriage itself, an institution he has yet to join.
To balance such dreamy visions, the music remains grounded.
Even here, Maxwell refuses to give in to the cliche of the soul stud.
The softer role he counters with doesnt sound wimpy.
Gods
The graceful melody finds Maxwell upholding a tradition of song craft modern R&B often lacks.
