GARY CLARK JR. // “THIS LAND” - ALBUM REVIEW

Singer and Guitarist Gary Clark Jr. is back with a brand new album ‘This Land’. The debut single and title track is already impacting radio. Garnering praise from the likes of Keith Richards, Alicia Keys, and even Former President Barack Obama. Gary is taking no prisoners with this album. His unique ability to seamlessly blend so many genres, Soul, R&B, Blues, Rock, Pop, Funk ... really too many to name but it all works well together on ‘This Land’.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KgNaRQ_J-cWe begin the journey on 'This Land' with the title track that is at once a soaring anthem and a super personal track about growing up a Black Man in America. Where getting your own it could still change nothing. It is angsty, driven and is devastatingly beautiful. It's the perfect opening statement for the record. We segue into tracks 'What About Us' which has a slightly slower tempo but is still riding that same bluesy funk rock feel as the opener. On 'I Got My On Eyes You' Gary first slips into his falsetto which is featured heavily on this record. This track with all of its old school soul influences has lots of fuzzy guitar shredding throughout. There are also some notable electronic elements peeking in and out. On the pleading and lovelorn 'I Walk Alone' he maintains the falsetto for most of the song with the guitar matching the vibe and feeling as well, harkening back to 60s RnB with just a bit of the Blues as well. Gary picks up the pace significantly with the next two tracks, 'Feeling Like A Million Bucks' and 'Gotta Get Into Something'. Both songs are on the opposite ends of the musical spectrum, with 'Feeling Like A Million Bucks' being a feisty, slinky and reggae-tinged track while 'Gotta Get Into Something' being a harder edge bouncy punk influenced song. Yet, they both fit. The reason for this is the signature guitar sound snaking throughout not only these two songs but each and every track on 'This Land'. Tracks like 'Got to Get Up' and 'Feed the Babies' have so much Swagger and 70s Funk influences (love the 70s funktastic horns flittering about both songs).Photo Credit: Frank MaddocksHis latest release 'Pearl Cadillac' is just beautiful and a sweet ode with the guitar softly shredding along not too much but not too little. One of the highlights on the album that is so full of standouts. It is a shame because my least favorite song on the album is right after 'Pearl Cadillac'. 'When I'm Gone' is a bit clunky amongst the rest of tracks on 'This Land'. While there truly isn't too much wrong with the track as a whole it's a pretty groovy song. It doesn't quite come together for me with this one. 'Guitar Man' is a fun blues inspired track that sounds most like classic Gary. As the song continues you'll find it's quite the foot-stomping number. 'Low Down Rolling Stone' starts off with some heavy fuzzy guitar and drums. The track feels like a new age Rock anthem for the broken and indifferent. The heaviness in the instruments and only adds to the soulfulness and emotionality of the track. It's another highlight for me. 'The Governor' is just straight up blues and rock and roll, with the use of an acoustic guitar. This is just a fantastic track overall. Gary's vocals have a gruffness we don't hear on much of the record. Gary does a complete 360 on 'Don't Wait Til Tomorrow' and brings in strings, beautiful harmonies, and more modern influences, like 90s RnB. His vocals shine best on this track. The album ends on tracks 'Highway 71' and 'Dirty Dishes Blues'. 'Highway 71' is an instrumental track that opens on a cool sultry electro beat with the guitar riffing along the top of the beat. 'Dirty Dishes Blues' is just a good old fashioned honky tonk blues jam about heartbreak, a perfect way to close out the album that is 'This Land'. This record encapsulates so many styles of music that is America, but also the heart and soul of Gary Clark Jr.Stream/Buy 'This Land' out today here: https://WBR.lnk.to/ThisLandTCFavorite tracks: This Land, Pearl Cadillac, The Govenor, I Got My Eyes On You, Low Down Rolling Stone, and Don't Wait Til Tomorrow.Gary Clark Jr. Socials:Twitter: @garyclarkjrInstagram: @garyclarkjr

Until then,
Brittney x
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GIRL WILDE // “FAKE LOUIS” - SINGLE REVIEW