Words: Spencer Saylor
It’s 2016 and the technicality and modernization of music and its applications goes beyond what the mind could have imagined, just 15 short years ago. However, still few have been able to explore the grounds of a new ‘sound’, while still sticking true to their fan induced, original music—which they once found good enough to share with the world. Amos Lee’s Spirit defies such notions as a now seasoned songwriter shares his subtle experimentation with his already vintage and sultry soul.
Completely self-produced, Lee allows listeners a glimpse and a listen into an artist’s ability to hold true to their creative juices, while still making high-quality music on a major labeled level. Amos is blessed to be one of the few vocalists in today’s music industry that is indistinguishable from another voice, but keeps listeners and myself still wondering whether his voice truly works or not.
This album is nothing short of Lee’s recent dive into the depths of performing alongside orchestras and extensive band formations—incorporating strings and orchestral arrangements infused below his acoustic picking and brassy ol’timey R&B approach. Spirit has us reminiscent of the sounds that Leon Bridges and Allen Stone have recently been trying to rectify from the grave and back to the radio (check out the track “Til You Come Back Through”).
Ultimately, I tip my hat to Amos for his fearless self-confidence to release an album that tracks everything from Gospel and R&B, to his typical folk rock and singer/songwriter roots. It may not follow the conventional story-telling path from track 1 to track 15, but Lee packages each track into its own asset, none relying on another for clarity or explanation. Unsurprisingly, this album’s sound still delightfully packages with a damp rainy day or a ‘can’t sleep love’ romantic encounter with a loved one that his music has always been capable of doing.
Recommended songs to listen to: “New Love”, “Highways and Clouds”, “With You” and “Don’t Leave Me (BONUS)”
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tG-WpGZ9BQ[/youtube]
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