Shamir- Ratchet

Shamir
Ratchet
2015

The idea of Pop Music takes a punch on the chin with the debut album from Shamir Ratchet. It is an exploration of sexuality, demons, locations, house music, dance music and just about every other damn thing out there jam packed into an 11 track extravaganza. In the same vein as Prince or D'Angelo Shamir takes on society's norms of what sexy is but does it without singing hyper male or hyper explicit lyrics. Shamir is able to exist fully comfortable in himself and his music which comes across in a supreme confidence that has no use for boasting or being bombastic. Instead Shamir knows He is making something special and doesn't need to brag about doing it. He moves seamlessly from R&B warbler to Rapper track to track and his only limits are those that he puts on himself. His Rap game is so strong on "On the Regular" it almost makes you want to hear a full record of that type of music but it makes it all the more special being sprinkled throughout the album.

The album was produced by Nick Sylvester (GODMODE Records) and his House music mastery is prevalent throughout. A great sense of four on the floor makes each track better than the next to get out and dance to, a central theme of the record. Nothing about this album feels like homage or taking from anything, its all so fresh and new Shamir is blazing his own trail and creating something entirely his own. Ratchet is going to be one of the best records you hear this year and Shamir Bailey will be blowing your mind for years to come. Don't let this pass you by.

9.2 out of 10