Seinabo Sey - Pretend

Seinabo Sey
Pretend
2015
Seinabo Sey - Pretend

There is an absolute smash hit track on this record, but you may not even know it. "Younger" came out almost two years ago and has hung around on dance floors and in peoples minds ever since. Kygo's remix is probably the most well known, but when you actually listen to the lyrics this is someone who is highly introspective and willing to dig deep into their person. Almost the whole album follows the same suit, highly charged emotional lyrics paired with Sey's mistakable voice. When she is allowed to experiment and let the music flow into new and interesting directions the songs connect and force you to stay and contend with them. Where this breaks down is when the music starts to become pedestrian. Songs like "Younger" "Words" and "Who" all bring this exciting sound with instruments layered more and more on each other. The other tracks however that just feature a piano sound more like the belong at the opening credits of a Jame Bond film rather than in a pop album with lyrics this complex.

It is quite interesting to find an artist that really soars as the remixee. People like RAC and others made their careers but remixing, but Seinabo seems to shine so much brighter when someone else takes control on the production side. That may have really helped this album refine the song selection and really tighten up the points where the record seems to just kind of meander on and on. "Ruin" is one track that sounds the most like something Celine Dion would sing, and the next song "Burial" is so overblown with a full choir and grand piano. Seinabo Sey has certainly found her voice as a writer, but when it comes to composing it seems she could still use some help. This is just a start though and with a voice like Her's she is bound to only get better. Don't believe this is the last you will hear from Seinabo Sey.

5.4 out of 10