Album Review: Black Coffee’s Career defining Subconsciously
Dance music icon Black Coffee has unveiled his long-awaited new album Subconsciously, available to stream and download globally here. A diverse, wide-ranging release and his first since 2018’s EP Music Is King’, Subconsciously explores a multitude of different styles and tempos across its twelve tracks. It also features collaborations of a string of huge global stars, including Pharrell Williams, David Guetta and Usher, to name but three.
The album opens with the fluttering vibes of ‘Lost’, featuring Greek artist DJ Angelo and British multi-instrumentalist Jinadu, a melodic, emotion-tinged club cut that sets the tone for the rest of the LP. December’s gospel-evoking ‘You Need Me’, featuring Bronx-born singer and model Maxine Ashley and South African star Sun-El Musician, is a warm piece that’ll entice its listeners into an impassioned dance. Chart-topping singer-songwriter Sabrina Claudio then lends her ethereal vocals to ‘SBCNCSLY’, a delicate dance track drenched in warm piano chords and rolling drumlines. Pop and R&B superstar Usher links up with Black Coffee on the groove-laden ‘LaLaLa’, a track that topped the South African Airplay Charts when it was released in 2019. Equally exciting is Pharrell Williams’ contribution to the poignant modern pop energy of ‘10 Missed Calls’, with vocals from fellow Grammy winner Jozzy.
September single ‘Ready For You’ is next up, pairing warm, shimmering electro-pop vibes with the angelic vocals of UK singer-songwriter and ‘BBC Sound of 2020’ winner Celeste. Fresh from being crowned #1 DJ on the planet in the coveted DJ Mag ‘Top 100’ rankings, David Guetta and Black Coffee’s 2018 collab ‘Drive’, featuring the vocals of London-based Delilah Montagu, is also included. The track is described by Resident Advisor as “another classic Black Coffee production”. The LP’s closing track is a similarly high-profile affair. Featuring music mogul Diplo, with the track ‘Never Gonna Forget’, a percussion-driven deep house gem pairing guitar strings with the pitch-perfect vocals of UK chart-topper Elderbrook.
Non-single highlights include the melodic-natured ‘I’m Fallin’’, featuring the hushed vocals of Australian singer-songwriter Ry X, hypnotic R&B vibes of ‘Time’ featuring Cassie and punchy ‘Flava’, with fellow South Africans Una Rams and Tellaman.
Black Coffee’s penchant for production and vast musical knowledge manifests in this album with creative flair and vibrant pop beats that are sure to leave fans impressed.