REVIEW: ‘Oxnard’ by Anderson .Paak is a disappointment
Newest album is only half good
Julio Enriquez - CC By 2.0
Anderson .Paak performing with the Free Nationals at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Jan. 27, 2017. Anderson .Paak released his new album “Oxnard” on Nov. 16.
November 20, 2018
Anderson .Paak released his new album “Oxnard” Nov. 16, and it is not as impressive as his last album “Malibu.”
Anderson .Paak is known for his soul, urban contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, Funk and rhythm and blues styles, so if you don’t have the ear for something unique, you won’t be a fan of his.
His prior album “Malibu” had a lot of success, receiving a Grammy nomination for “Best Urban Contemporary Album” and Complex said it was the 14th best album of 2016.
So the standards were extremely high for the next album.
He simply didn’t meet those expectations, and I’m taking a wild guess that he won’t be nominated for a Grammy for this album.
With this album, all the different styles were a bit overwhelming and then there are just some songs that aren’t even worth listening to.
The creativity is there, but the songs just don’t sound good.
The lyrics and beats didn’t seem to mesh together well in the songs and the album feels rushed.
However, the album isn’t terrible. There are features from Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.
There are about 6 solid songs that are worth listening to: “Tints,” “Saviers Road,” “Brother’s Keeper,” “Anywhere,” “Trippy” and “Cheers.”
“Trippy” [featuring J. Cole] and “Tints” [featuring Kendrick Lamar] are the two best songs on the album, simply because J. Cole and Lamar can make any song sound good.
“Trippy” is about love, and the song begins with comedian Rodney Dangerfield joking about how love affects people, saying “Everyone is looking for love, deep love, a lifetime of deep love, you know? I’m looking for a shallow half hour, you know? Don’t you have luck with women? I never had luck with women.”
“Tints” is simply a relaxing song that has a catchy vibe. This is the first single off the album and is definitely a must-listen.
Both songs are smooth and perfect to complement Anderson .Paak’s style.
You can listen to the first half of the song “Smile,” which is a solid song, but it transitions into the second half of the song “Petty,” which sounds terrible.
So, at best, there are seven solid songs out of 14, which is considered a failing grade in school. If the songs are not listed above, do not bother listening to them. They might make your ears bleed.
Anderson .Paak is a talented individual, so let us hope his next project will be better than this.
Mel • Jan 3, 2019 at 9:37 am
This could have been written a bit more professionally like the last person who commented said but that takes away from the authenticity of the review. I actually think the review is spot on. I’ve been a fan of Anderson .Paak since he was “Breezy Lovejoy” and I just have to say this album was a disaster compared to anything he’s ever put out before. I was expecting so much more with this album and it didn’t cut it. The author of this review was also spot on about there only being 6/7 songs worth listening to.
Keyshawn • Nov 21, 2018 at 8:15 am
Ok this is poorly written and a highly unseasoned review of a great album. I like how at the beginning of the article Dominique writes that there are a solid 6 good songs then at the end he writes that there are about 7 good songs? Great contradiction. “I’m going to take a wild guess and say this doesn’t get nominated for a Grammy” — do better.