ALBUM SPOTLIGHT: Theophilus London - "Vibes"

I’ve been listening to this album pretty much all week. It was like Christmas morning when I first opened my computer and saw that it was available to stream a full week before its release date.

Anyway, Vibes was probably one of my most anticipated albums in awhile (5 years later and I’m still waiting on Jay Electronica). I’ve been a fan of Theophilus’ music, and the man himself since back when “Humdrum Town” first came out. The guy marches to his own rhythm, and that’s something you have to admire, whether its fashion, music or his antics. It’s that creativity, hit or miss, that’s so endearing and inspiring.

Vibes is an album that melds the best of the past and future, in the form of 80’s new wave infused with a concoction of soulful R&B and syncopated Hip-Hop. Sure, it jumps around at points, with somewhat out of place upbeat tracks that seem to be pandering to the Pop/EDM world, but somehow even these apparent hiccups end up growing on you as they eventually compel your body to get up and move. Throughout it all, Theophilus London is at his best over the tracks that ooze chilled-out funk and soul, with his voice sounding perfectly at home as it intertwines with the languid jams wrapping them up in his warm embrace. The features are also all on point, with the most notable being Kanye at the helm executive producing the album, and also providing a verse on the brilliant “Can’t Stop.” Other notables are Devonte Hynes (Blood Orange) and Soko.

Its very rare these days for albums (or anything for that matter) that I highly anticipate to live up to my expectations. However, with Vibes, Theophilus London has managed to do just that.