Reviewing Royce Diamond’s newly released album, Signal Flow doesn’t come from the voice of a writer; although, as a writer I appreciate and respect a dedication to a complete production of an album: a beginning, a middle and an end. I’ve been known to buy an album due to hearing a single lyric from a song. A song that inspired a story in my mind, just as Signal Flow has done.
There are few albums you can listen to straight through and get a different experience with every song. Often times you get a single to an album that turns out to be a disappointment as a whole. Royce has sidestepped all of that and has written and produced an album that has exceeded expectations.
However, even with all that being said, this particular review comes from me as a fan.
The artists featured on this album are a musical line-up of of KC all-stars. They lyrics prove telling of where he’s been and where’s he’s going and the very order of the songs seems to have had much thought put into it. There is cohesiveness, a very well-played out plan that has been executed to perfection.
The album’s barely been out a week, a release party has taken place and I’ve managed to choose my top three tracks:
The Dotte - Like a faint sequel to Between Time’s ‘Cliques’, this song has the lyricism and instrumental quality that has managed to create an experience that is both audial and visual. Close your eyes and see the words he’s rapping. Picture the story he’s telling, the streets he’s walked down and in a strange parallel, I imagined the song starting out black and white, following a yellow-brick road ending in a technicolor Emerald City.
Move Back – This song embraces the pivotal point of a party, late into the night when the music is turned up, everyone’s cup is full and then someone makes a smart ass comment or gives a bump from behind and there’s that raw, palpable energy. It’s everyone wondering if a fight’s going to break out. And who might throw the first punch.
I Bet – For me, this was a pure Royce Diamond music surprise. Played in the car so loudly that the speakers don’t shake just your car, but the car next to you making them look over, wondering what song it is you’re playing. Louiz Rip on this track has one of my favorite lyrics from the entire album, ‘Still mining for diamonds, lookin’ for Royce but of course you can’t find him’ and when I took my first run through listen, it was the song I kept on repeat.
There’s my top picks, but even as I’m writing this, I’m adding a new favorite in with I’ll Lead feat. Approach … “you come into my huddle, then brother you gon’ hustle…”
There are times when the destination really is as important as the journey. Specifically in the case of an artist, the destination isn’t what you get in the end; it’s the beginning of things to come.
Royce wants to hear what your Signal Flow top picks are. Choose your favorites and fill out a review of his album by clicking here.
Signal Flow is now available on iTunes, roycediamond.com and Love Garden in Lawrence
