NEW MUSIC: Introducing… by Aaron Frazer
The debut album from the soulful Aaron Frazer is music that explores the peaks and valleys of love. Introducing… is a rollercoaster ride of emotion that is well done, invigorating, and our favorite album early in 2021.
From those early moments in a new relationship when you feel like you’re walking on air, to the bitter ending where you can not help but wonder where it all went wrong, to those moments of jealousy when you see other people in what seems like a perfect relationship, Aaron Frazer’s debut album Introducing… leaves no stone unturned. He takes a well-worn troupe, love, and manages to find a fresh approach. That is in large part because of his soulful singing and musical production, but it also has something to do with his content. Introducing… feels timeless yet very modern. It takes on old touchstones, like heartbreak and the strength we can find in love, and mixes them with contemporary additions, like the manic pendulum of a toxic relationship and the loneliness of being single.
The album opens up with the heart wrenching and moving “You Don’t Want to Be My Baby,” with Frazer singing about that terrible feeling of heartbreak that we’ve probably all experienced; the type of heartbreak and hurt that takes hold for weeks or even months; it feels never ending. It stands in stark contrast with the follow-up, “If I Got It (Your Love Brought It)” – a song that sings the praises of the richness love brings into our lives. It encapsulates those feelings when colors seem brighter and food tastes better just because you’re in love. “The music in my soul… the butter on my roll…” croons Frazer. He then moves into “Can’t Leave It Alone,” which swings between the love and hate you might feel after a particularly bitter break-up – You hate the abuse and the fighting you’ve been subjected to, but there is still some kind of infatuation that keeps your mind going back. In these three opening tracks, Frazer quickly covers a wide spectrum of emotion, but the journey is just beginning. Clocking in at 12 tracks and a run-time of 42 minutes, Introducing… is a legitimate album in a world where G.O.O.D. music “albums” have numbered seven songs.
In some respects, Frazer brings to life an album that is akin to something Mark Ronson might produce. The construction of each track does not have exactly the same depth or richness, but the modesty allows Frazer and his falsetto to take centerstage. A very strong roster of session musicians add texture to each cut; “Have Mercy,” features slow, sultry instrumentation that subtly captures the flavors of Bossa Nova and Mambo.
One of the more fun tracks is “Ride with Me.” The bubbly track evokes feeling of love, but not romantic love. It throws off peace and love vibes from start to finish finishing with some pretty sweet bell playing at the end. It’s a classic 70s groove that really adds to the bell-bottomed ambiance of the entire project. “Girl on the Phone,” shares a different perspective on love. Frazer sings about a conversation he overhears, with a girl talking on the phone to her lover. The cadence of her conversation, the tea she orders for two, and the smile on her face all come together leaving Frazer lamenting his loneliness. That’s the love he wants for himself in his own life.
Slow and foreboding, “Love Is” acts as a warning about love, cautioning listeners to be careful what they get themselves into, with “Over You,” the jazzy funk successor illustrating the trap that love can set for you. The rollercoaster ends on an up-beat note with “Leanin’ on Your Everlasting Love.” It’s slow and heartfelt, and draws on the strength and power that love has to get us through difficult times.
Introducing… is a strong first effort from Aaron Frazer. Its timeless soul allows it to stand out against the backdrop of modern pop and R&B. The clean, well-produced tracks give him a great landscape for his beautiful voice to run wild on. It’s a perfect album for late winter and spring, so give it listen and let us know what you think.
Buy Aaron Frazer’s Introducing… on all formats from the Secretly Store here.
Michael Stroneski, editor at mvsicthovght, has started several blogs and multi-media projects you’ve never seen. He’s a life-long cheerleader for Connecticut and underground music. You can reach him at contact@mvsicthovght.com