- In a world where hip-hop is becoming increasingly obsessed with shiny, hi-definition synths, P Morris's music has gotten earthier. It began with this year's Debut, which featured plush arrangements and warm, homey sounds. Its follow-up, Beloved, a sort of concept EP about a romantic relationship that goes through good and bad, sounds more like blues than rap.
"Grace" begins the EP with a sticky, blues-rock strut, but time-stretching artifacts on the drums dampen the machismo. The effect makes it feel knowingly artificial, like an ensemble controlled by puppet strings. "Darling" is a more impressionistic take on the same formula, while "Before You Disappear" opens things up, offsetting another muddy rhythm with touching slide guitar. Rather than tugging on the heartstrings too much, Morris rips the track apart halfway through and leaves it in tatters.
Silence and space are Morris's secret weapons on Beloved: so many of its songs sound like they're peeking out of dark shadows just long enough to get your attention before receding. "Fallen" is sparse and recalls early James Blake, especially with its chorus of oddly-pitched vocals, while "Theme From Beloved" is a brief hodgepodge of steel drums and chimes, like some soap opera's opening credits. Neither track feels as well thought-out as the others. The loud-and-soft dynamic comes to life best on "Beloved," which seems like the happy resolution for our imaginary couple, replete with sweetly-sung vocals and pretty piano playing. Though some of its experiments are more successful than others, Beloved shows Morris taking an increasingly unusual path.
Tracklist01. Grace
02. Before You Disappear
03. Theme of Beloved
04. Fallen
05. Darling
06. Beloved