Having cemented himself in the R&B realm, as an artist (including last year’s Ye Ali & Chill 4)and behind the scenes, writing and producing with newcomers and legends like Chris Brown, Ye Ali has been experimenting with genres, from displaying more raps to now releasing this new dance album, cleverly titled, WYA? I’m Not Mad Anymore.
There have been a few dance album attempts of late, Drake tried and it didn’t transition how he might have liked, Beyonce on the other hand, was able to cut through but more so as her discography has given glimpses, so initially, hearing this was a dance album, I might not have been as keen, preferring his R&B prowess, however, upon actually listening, I was surprised.
Seven tracks of upbeat soul (produced along with JVD) starting with Eyes Wide Shut, a perfect blend of his soulfulness with the club ambience, an insight into what this project is. No More Chances establishes the theme and is the more natural of the blends and maybe even my personal favourite. Party Just Peaked continues that vibe and is one of those classic picturesque songs that could have easily been a Chris Brown hit. Strangers In The Club musically is the more dance sounding, other than the harmonies in the back and he gets to rapping in what felt like a more British twang, it’s something that Pink Pankthress for example could deliver, which just highlights Ye Ali’s ability in constructing these tracks. Track 5, Secrets, the shortest track on the album is also one of the catchiest, though serves as an interlude, at this point I’m surprised that I’m enjoying a dance album as much as I am, nodding along to the uptempo drums. Echoes follows suit, similar style to the fourth track but doesn’t feel as experimental, before Who But Me? the smoother of the dance tracks, that not only is reminiscent to previous Ye Ali efforts, but also closes out the album nicely.
If you said he compiled some of the more upbeat R&B tracks in the vault into this concise project, I might have leaned towards it more, though the A&R part of me feels there are a few songs from this that might have stood out better amongst the more traditional releases, notably No More Chances and Party Just Peaked as the standouts, however, conceptually WYA? I’m Not Mad Anymore works well, as it isn’t too far left for his fanbase and will help him venture further in this direction as a creative.
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