Written by Al Currie Jr. - June 22, 2023.
“NEVER ENOUGH” - Daniel Caesar (Shot by @trentmunson)
Okay, I know I been MIA but like life been “LiFE-ING” for real. In all the chaos, music has been the life raft that has kept me afloat, with that same regard some of my favorite artists have been doing an amazing job. Notably, Daniel Caesar to say the least.
After listening to his sophomore studio album, “CASE STUDY 01”, I knew the next project would be transcendent. It was one of my most anticipated albums of the year, so I had high hopes. Once I heard the rollout of singles like, “PDNL” (Please do not Lean), “Let Me Go”, and “Do you Like Me?” I knew we were getting another classic, and I was right (kinda).
My first initial listen had been in my bedroom that midnight as the rain poured heavily with my AirPods fully engulfed in Daniel’s smooth melodic voice. The album opened up with “Ocho Rios” solidifying Daniel’s themes of heartbreak and lost love. The composition of chords and drums with the mixture of rain in the background was a *Chef’s Kiss*. I knew he had me. The rest of the album consist of 17 more tracks with themes of love, self reflection, self empowerment, and so much more to dive in. My favorites (excluding the singles) were “Superpowers”, “Toronto 2014” and “Homosexual”.
I think overall Daniel knows exactly what to do in that booth. He has perfected his craft and sound with the help of his producers and engineers for sure. My biggest criticism towards the album was that unlike “CASE STUDY 01” there wasn’t any upbeat songs. I really liked the island vibe from the previous album and tracks like “CYANIDE” or “FRONTAL LOBE MUZIK” had a pace to them that made me want to dance and move. I think I missed that element on this album. I also love that Daniel experiments and isn’t afraid to try new things. It’s what separates artists from singers in my opinion and he is definitely not afraid to try something new! I think that worked in his favor for the most part but some songs did feel a little too far fetched for me. Overall, I’d give the album a solid 8/10. It’s definitely got gems on there that can be added to your personal playlist but also the replay value on this album is grade A. I think it was a solid follow up and nice addition to his discography.