The model with one of R&B’s most gifted voices, transitioning into an actor starring in cultural classics and blockbuster franchises, in the recent media climate tends to find himself spoken of more for the transparency of his personal life than his art itself. However, his recent series of events felt more calculated to me, from the viral national anthem rendition (which I think he knew people would assume was Marvin Gaye cosplay and give him the platform to speak on the Teddy Pendergrass movie), to the roll out that followed, and though it’s a shame that this is the time we’re in where an artist of his stature feels he has to do that, if you can deliver quality in the height of such interest then you can maximise interest.
Now, I don’t know if that campaign did maximise interest, but I do know that with Beautiful Pain, he’s delivered quality. It’s loosely themed around his recent divorce drama, being a very personal album and that emotion is the catalyst throughout, the bad and the good. I didn’t know what to expect entirely, but the intro set the mood, the cheers emphasised his status and the sexy saxophone solo with the falsetto said R&B. First couple listens the content may feel heavy but as it continues, the art takes over and as an expression, it’s executed to the highest level, the songwriting, structure and sequencing, it’s a solid offering, complete with the legendary features, there’s songs that will exist outside of the album, like Bedroom Bully and Unbelievable (ft. Kenny G & Eric Dawkins). This album is a success just off Tyrese’s ability to take a tumultuous experience and artistically vent through this, (again) the bad and the good. I believe he will reap the benefits from this project, with fans undoubtedly looking forward to more of this grown man music. Perfectly titled, through the ups and the downs, powered by love, he shares his Beautiful Pain.
ONE Fáris 