Following on from their eponymous debut album in 2019, the Black Pumas released a further ten tracks of classic soul, funk, jazz and a mix of rock’n’roll to please their ever growing audience in October 2023.
If ‘Colours’ is the track that many associate them with, the new album has several tracks which will touch the conscious memory of many in the future.
The album is a logical progression from their debut which garnered Grammy Award nominations, an invitation to play at the presidential inauguration and more.
Eric Burton has the classic soul vocal range reminiscent of some of the great soul singers of the past. Think Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, Al Green.
Along with the delicate production of Adrian Quesada that combine both lush soundscapes and rock infused melodies, the band have raised their own bar of excellent musical quality.
The opening track More Than A Love Song kicks off the album with a soulful beat that sets the tone for the following forty plus minutes. Tender lyrics, a handclap beat and a searing, yet short, guitar break, provide the listener with the perfect montage of what follows.
The breadth of musical genres that the album successfully encompasses can be found in comparing Angel, a soulful ballad, with Gemini Sun, a song that would comfortably sit in any rock stable.
The songs here confirm Black Pumas as a creative force across several musical styles from starry-eyed soul, psychedelic rock and jazz funk to symphonic pop.
On the evidence of this album the band have no intention of being pigeon holed into a specific musical category.
It’s a further statement that their musical influences are widespread and we are benefitting from the kaleidoscope of ‘Colours’ they expand here.
As we head to London to see them live, we look forward to hearing the catalogue of songs they have so far introduced the world to.
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