This week I’m reviewing “Ventura” by Anderson .Paak, which I listened to for the first time last week. Released in 2019, this album perfectly blends R&B, hip hop and funk to produce an insanely groovy sound.
I’m familiar with some of Anderson .Paak’s work; he released a single this spring called “Lockdown” that I really enjoy. It perfectly captures the confusion felt by many in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. He was also featured on the “Black Panther” soundtrack, which is another one of my favorites. I decided to listen to “Ventura” quite spontaneously last week and I am so happy that I did.
“Ventura” is led by .Paak’s smooth and relaxing voice, which really adds to the laid back vibe of the entire album. I honestly couldn’t stop grooving while listening to each song. Funky basslines and hypnotic synths give each song an interesting yet catchy sound. “Come Home” features the legendary Andre 3000, one half of the hip-hop group Outkast. “Make it Better” features another legend in Smokey Robinson, which helps this song create a classic R&B sound reminiscent of Marvin Gaye, Earth, Wind & Fire and The Jackson 5.
“Reachin’ 2 Much” includes a refreshing beat change roughly a minute in that works really well for the song. “Winners Circle” opens with some dialogue focused on boxing and then explodes with a smooth yet catchy bassline and great vocals from .Paak. “Good Heels” slows everything down with some softer vocals and drums. “Yada Yada” features some sensational synths and bass and great lyrics from .Paak.
“King James” starts out a jazz-inspired track with more great basslines. .Paak’s lyrics often focus on activism and social justice issues which can clearly be heard on “King James.” LeBron James is one of the most popular athletes in America, and often uses his platform and status to advocate for causes he believes in. Recently, he has been vocal in supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, and has been criticized along with many other athletes. “King James” is .Paak’s way of showing support for James and the larger social justice movement as a whole.
“Chosen One” feels the most modern out of all the tracks on the album, but still reminds me of R&B and dance tracks from the 90s. “Jet Black” is an incredibly catchy song with a really exciting beat and great harmonies. “Twilight” is made for dancing, it’s nearly impossible to listen to this song without nodding along to the infectious beat, which is nicely complemented with background horns. The final song, “What Can We Do?,” has a classic feel to it that instantly reminds of Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.
Tracklist
Come Home
Make it Better
Reachin’ 2 Much
Winners circle
Good Heels
Yada Yada
Chosen One
Jet Black
Twilight
What Can We Do?
Final thoughts: “Ventura” is a perfect blend of sounds both new and old. .Paak created a modern classic R&B album with a real hip hop feel to it. I’m really excited to listen to more of his work in the future, and I believe that he deserves more recognition in the music world.
Rating: 8.5/10
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