#mclyte

Bad As I Wanna B  |  ‘96

1 of 1  /  2024

One of the dopest Mc's to touch the M-I-C, McLyte!

After several years of waiting, the Grammy Award-winning Lalah Hathaway returns with her latest album, VANTABLACK. Known for her soul-drenched voice and genre-bending music, Hathaway’s new album delivers a mix of Neo-Soul, R&B, and Dance. Collaborating with a diverse range of artists, including Common, MC Lyte, Michael McDonald, Phonte, and WILLOW, Hathaway brings her voice back to the forefront of the music scene. However, despite the vocal brilliance that Lalah consistently delivers, the production of VANTABLACK leaves something to be desired. Track by Track Breakdown - BLACK (feat. Rapsody & Common): This track kicks off the album with powerful spoken word contributions from Rapsody and Common, while Hathaway’s scatting and ad-libbing glide above the instrumental. It's a strong opener, with its themes of Black pride and identity. - No Lie (feat. Michael McDonald): A collaboration with the legendary Michael McDonald brings together two soulful voices for a beautiful harmony. The instrumentation stands out with a rich and textured sound, providing a strong backdrop for their vocals. - Mood For You (feat. MC Lyte): This track is arguably one of the highlights of the album. MC Lyte’s mature and smooth delivery blends effortlessly with Hathaway’s vocals. The production feels organic and warm, thanks to Warryn Campbell and Eric Dawkins, whose experience shines through. - You Don't Know (feat. Phonte): Phonte’s laid-back flow complements the throwback production, reminiscent of 9th Wonder's signature style. The song has a nostalgic feel, giving Phonte a rich musical canvas to play with. - Vantablack: The title track showcases Hathaway’s soulful voice over a straightforward production. While it’s solid, the track doesn’t stand out as a potential hit, though the synth bass does provide some nice texture. - Returning: Produced by Juan Andres Carreno Ariza, this track adds a refreshing break to the album with a South American flair. It’s one of the more dynamic moments of the project. - So In Love: This track doesn’t quite hit the mark musically, though Hathaway’s voice is a bright spot. It struggles to find a distinctive groove in the production. - I AM: A lively track with a party vibe, I AM dives into themes of empowerment. It’s reminiscent of early house music with a vibrant energy that works well. - The Machine: This song finally gives Hathaway space to let her voice resonate deeply, but unfortunately, the wide open chords are short-lived and don't allow the track to fully soar. - Myth of Being: Lalah's vocals are top-notch on this track. The production steps back, allowing her voice to take center stage, creating a truly spiritual listening experience. - Higher: A dance track with a thumping bass, Hathaway effortlessly navigates the busy sonic landscape, delivering a powerful vocal performance despite the intensity of the beat. - The Energy: This track feels like a tribute to her father, Donny Hathaway. The laid-back groove and minimal rhythm section allow Lalah to channel the spirit of her father, making for an emotionally rich moment on the album. - #BITMFW: This explicit track deviates from Hathaway’s usual tone, featuring video-game-like production and a more aggressive lyrical approach. It feels out of character, and while Hathaway is experimenting, the result feels misaligned with her usual style. - Clearly: Another dance-oriented track, Clearly struggles with overbearing production that overshadows Hathaway’s voice. The standout moment comes during a scat section at the end, where Lalah’s vocal prowess truly shines. - Lower (feat. Gerald Albright): A short instrumental interlude featuring Gerald Albright on saxophone, harmonizing with Hathaway’s vocals. It serves as a nice breather within the album. - Tunnels (feat. WILLOW): The vocal blends between WILLOW and Hathaway are absolutely incredible. It’s a testament to WILLOW’s talent that she can hold her own alongside a seasoned veteran like Hathaway, and together, they create a magical sonic moment. https://open.spotify.com/album/2OObNk2YheZrtE1YYZLhD7?si=1nYdMrveRRS7fMQPjkzw3Q Overall Sound and Production One of the more notable aspects of VANTABLACK is the production, helmed primarily by Phil Beaudreau. Unfortunately, the production feels too digital and lacks the organic warmth that typically complements Hathaway’s voice. While there are standout moments, particularly on the one trackLalah Hathaway returns with her latest album VANTABLACK, showcasing her soulful voice alongside collaborations with artists like MC Lyte, Common, and WILLOW. While her vocal performances remain exceptional, the album’s digital-heavy production falls short, missing the organic warmth typically associated with Hathaway’s work. VANTABLACK has standout moments, but ultimately doesn’t reach the high bar set by her previous albums. produced by Warryn Campbell and Eric Dawkins, much of the album feels devoid of the soulful depth one might expect from Hathaway. The digital-heavy beats and over-reliance on synthetic elements leave parts of the album feeling cold, missing the richness of live instrumentation. Lyrical Content and Themes Lyrically, Hathaway explores familiar territory, focusing on empowerment, Black identity, and self-reflection. While her vocal delivery is powerful as ever, the lyrical content doesn’t reach groundbreaking heights. Still, tracks like "BLACK" and "The Energy" succeed in delivering thought-provoking messages of Black pride and self-love. Vocal Performance and Delivery As always, Lalah Hathaway remains a technical master when it comes to her voice. Her control, tone, and effortless ability to blend genres are on full display. However, while her voice remains untouchable, it would have been exciting to hear her explore more vocal risks, such as her famous polyphonic singing. Standout Moments Tracks like "Mood For You" featuring MC Lyte and "Tunnels" with WILLOW provide the album’s standout moments. These tracks offer a more soulful, organic sound that allows Hathaway’s voice to shine. The collaborations feel purposeful and elevate the overall album experience. Conclusion VANTABLACK shows that Lalah Hathaway still has one of the best voices in the industry, but the production lets her down on many tracks. The digital-heavy and synthetic production choices detract from the organic, soulful sound Hathaway is known for. While there are shining moments on the album, particularly in her collaborations, VANTABLACK doesn’t quite reach the high bar Hathaway has set in her previous work. Rating: 3/5 Read the full article