New Music with Nick: ‘NEVER ENOUGH’ by Daniel Caesar

Welcome to “New Music with Nick.” On this column, I can be reviewing a few of the most notable new album releases throughout numerous genres, specializing in hip-hop, R&B and pop music. Be a part of me in exploring the ever-shifting panorama of the streaming period. 

Daniel Caesar: “NEVER ENOUGH” (April 7, 2023)

The long-awaited return of Daniel Caesar has lastly arrived. Virtually 4 years following the discharge of “Case Examine 01,” Caesar has come again along with his third full-length LP. 

A string of phenomenal EP releases — specifically “Pilgrim’s Paradise” and “Reward Break” — started Caesar’s profession in 2014 and 2015. His first huge break got here just a few years later along with his debut full-length album, “Freudian.” The 2017 launch shortly gained cultish reputation and mainstream reward. The debut instantly cemented Caesar as one of many premier R&B/Neo-Soul skills to look at. 

Nonetheless, Caesar’s follow-up album, “Case Examine 01,” was not practically to the extent of high quality that “Freudian” introduced. It put Caesar’s trajectory as an artist right into a little bit of a flux.

Round that point, music wasn’t the one problem in query for Caesar. Social turmoil arose because of Caesar’s extremely controversial feedback in regards to the Black neighborhood and race relations. Many on the web “canceled” him and vowed to by no means take heed to his music once more. Ever since then, Caesar has been extremely quiet. The rollout for “NEVER ENOUGH” was the primary time that he started to divulge heart’s contents to the world once more, after lastly apologizing for his previous feedback.

I actually was undecided what to anticipate throughout the rollout. The 2022 unfastened single “Please Do Not Lean” was implausible and recalled Caesar’s pre-“Case Examine 01” success. It shortly grew to become clear that Caesar was as soon as once more harnessing his potential. “Do You Like Me?” gave the rollout a stable begin, which was then carried ahead by “Let Me Go” and concluded by “Valentina” and “Unstoppable.” These tracks had been a promising preview of what was to come back on April 7.

The album proved that Caesar’s creative comeback would solely proceed. Caesar constructed a particularly constant monitor checklist that hardly wavered in any respect in its high quality. There have been some small moments the place the songs went from wonderful to good, however few moments had been weak.

“Shot My Child” arguably supplied the climax of the album. The extremely passionate monitor options a few of the most enjoyable manufacturing and charming deliveries on the monitor checklist. “Cool” is one other spotlight, with a beautiful association and delightful storytelling. Caesar’s mild vocals excel, and the various vocal deliveries transport the listener by way of Caesar’s life phases and feelings with precision and depth. “At all times” supplied one other heartfelt efficiency with charming vocals, songwriting and association. “Let Me Go” was arguably the strongest of all the singles, and it sounded even higher throughout the context of the album.

I believed practically each side of the album’s development was stunning and well-executed. The songwriting was sharp, authentic and poignant, and I feel the lyrics have solely change into extra charming with every pay attention. The manufacturing is pretty minimalistic at occasions, however that doesn’t imply it’s with out crisp element and precision. The sonic ambiance supporting Caesar’s vocals is spectacular and really applicable. 

Caesar additionally experimented with vocal supply, which gave the album and lots of of its songs a refreshing enhance. HItting a wide range of notes, flows, voices and cadences, the album portrays many feelings and concepts with easy cohesion. The album is gentle on options, however the visitor artists he does carry on are efficient.

“NEVER ENOUGH” is a few of Daniel Caesar’s greatest work. “Freudian” is all the time going to be a tricky album to match, however I feel that “NEVER ENOUGH” is an in depth second. Though it would lack the very best highs of “Freudian,” it makes up for that in its constant themes and cohesion. It’s actually a significant enchancment from “Case Examine 01” and places Daniel Caesar again on the creative trajectory and positioning that his expertise warrants. “NEVER ENOUGH” is a good album that was properly definitely worth the wait.

Favourite Songs: “Shot My Child,” “Cool,” “Let Me Go,” “At all times,” “Ache Is Inevitable,” “Ocho Rios”

Album Rating: 86/100

Try this Spotify Playlist and prefer it to comply with together with a few of my favourite songs of 2023 to date.

Editor’s Be aware: This text is a assessment and contains subjective opinions, ideas and critiques.