Quantcast
Advertisement
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)

NEAR TRUTHS: SPRING BLOOMS
Here come the big guns. (3/28a)
THE COUNT: COLDPLAY IS HOT, COUNTRY'S COOKIN' IN THE U.K.
The latest tidbits from the bustling live sector (3/28a)
CITY OF HOPE TAPS MARCIANO FOR TOP HONOR
This year's philanthropic model (3/28a)
TRUST IN THE TOP 20
Hip-hop is no longer hibernating. (3/28a)
UMG BROADENS SPOTIFY OFFERINGS
Sir Lucian and Daniel are in harmony. (3/28a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
THE B-SIDE
CURRENT OBSESSION: ROADHOUSE
3/30/17

Allan Rayman's otherworldly and genre-defying voice sticks with you, like a feeling of guilt that you can't shake or a monkey on your back. He'll haunt you to your core and have you begging for more.

This point is proved on Roadhouse 01, a 13-track set he released via Communion at the end of February. Listen, moan out of satisfaction, repeat; at least that's my advice.

Rayman's swagger is undeniable, regardless of the fact that he can't lean on the crutch of categorization. In fact, his inability to be pinpointed is part of what makes him so cool. Sultry guitar riffs come out to play on songs like "Head Over Heels," "25.22" and "Sweetheart," giving him moments of Alternative realness, but hip-hop beats and R&B vibes are integral throughout. Influences of jazz, blues and synth-driven '80s pop are also made clear.

Aggression and frail sensitivity dance like partners on this album, which starts off with a chilling piano part, reaches the peak of its arc with an earworm ("Left Alone") and ends on a bold statement ("God Is a Woman"). I mean, the guy references Faust (with "Faust Road"), the successful and zealous scholar who makes a deal with the devil, exchanging his soul for bountiful knowledge and power. What's more important? And where does true satisfaction sprout from? Roadhouse 01 is the musical exploration of such.

"I'm a bad boy, I'm an outlaw, I'm a James Dean," he croons on "Head Over Heels"—the same track that he spits the phrase, "She's a beauty queen," in a way that I can only really describe as reminiscent of a gritty Michael Jackson.

That's exactly it, though; he's an outlaw, and ain't it true that no one can help but be mesmerized by what they can't grasp?

Oh, and the multi-layered production is pretty exquisite. 'Kay, I'm done now.

xx,
Samantha Hissong