Independent soul/funk group Sneezy released its latest album early last month in the form of Open Doors. The band’s third album, the 14-song presentation is a breath of fresh air among this year’s new albums and independent albums. Over the course of its 41-minute run time, the record’s featured arrangements make that clear. They will be discussed shortly. The lyrical themes that accompany the record’s musical content (and that are just as accessible as said content) makes for its own share of appeal. They will be discussed a little later. The record’s sequencing ties in with the album’s musical arrangements to make for yet more engagement and entertainment. It will also be discussed later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album. All things considered, they make the album an enjoyable new offering from Sneezy that is well worth hearing.
Open Doors is a record that given the right support, could open new doors for the currently independent soul/funk group. That is proven in part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements in question blend the best elements of old and new school R&B, soul, and funk from one song to the next o give listeners a fully enjoyable experience from beginning to end. Right from the album’s outset in ‘Vibez,’ the group exhibits influence of The Four Tops in its original, unique, catchy composition. The use of the horns, keyboards and even some rapping join to give the song that unique identity. From there, the group goes the reggae route in ‘Not Sorry,’ the album’s second song. What is so interesting here is that while the reggae influence is there, the keyboards give the song a touch of a disco influence. ‘A Little Bit Better’ changes things up somewhat with a more modern R&B vibe. That alongside the more rock oriented guitar line gives this song its own unique touch, too. On yet another note, ‘Crème Brulee,’ which comes just before the record’s midpoint, lends itself to works from the likes of Jamiroquai. Just as much of note is the late entry, ‘Battles.’ This song’s arrangement, with its subtle horns and keyboard alongside the equally controlled vocals, lends itself to comparison to certain works from the likes of D’Angelo. Yes, this critic went there. It is that slow jam style work. Between this song, the others noted here and the rest of the album’s entries, the whole of the record’s musical content forms a solid foundation for this record and reason enough for audiences to hear the record. It is just part of what makes the album stand out. The record’s lyrical content works alongside its musical counterpart to make the album even more appealing.
The lyrical content featured in Open Doors is important to note because it is just as accessible as the album’s musical content. The short and simple of the record’s lyrical content is that it focuses on relationships and on general positive outlooks on life. The optimistic outlook on life is presented right from the album’s outset in ‘Vibez’ while also incorporating in the noted elements of a relationship. The group sings here of having “a good feeling” while mentioning a woman and just being positive in general. ‘A Minute Past’ also takes on that topic of relationships. In the case of this song, it would seem that this song centers more on a broken relationship, despite the positive vibes exhibited through the song’s arrangement. ‘Pieces of a Puzzled Heart,’ meanwhile, is yet another example of that accessible theme of relationships. In this case, the song seems to hint at a relationship at its infancy. It is just one more way in which the record’s lyrical content proves itself so accessible. When this and so much else noted here is considered with everything else in the album, the overall lyrical content leaves no doubt that the record’s lyrical content will appeal just as much to audiences as the album’s musical content.
Taking into account the impact of the overall content featured in Open Doors, it clearly gives audiences reason enough to hear the album. It is just a part of what makes the album stand out. The sequencing of that content brings the content together and completes the record’s presentation. From beginning to end, the album’s sequencing keeps the record moving fluidly. The energy keeps flowing from one song to the next, and with the longest song coming in at only three minutes, 34 second, that is relatively easy even when the record gets relaxed. The record’s sequencing ensures that listeners will remain fully engaged and entertained throughout. The general effect is that it leaves audiences wanting more in the best way possible as they will not even realize the album has ended until moments after it has ended. Considering this and the impact of the content itself, the whole makes Open Doors a surefire hit for any soul, funk and R&B fan.
Sneezy’s latest album, Open Doors is a work that will appeal widely among soul, funk and R&B. That is proven easily throughout the course of the record. Its musical arrangements in themselves do well to support the noted statements. They bring together the best vintage and modern influences of said genres so fluidly from one song to the next and within the songs themselves. The lyrical content that accompanies the album’s musical content is just as accessible as the record’s musical content. It will connect with audiences just as easily, thus ensuring listeners’ maintained engagement and entertainment even more. The sequencing of that collective content puts the finishing touch to the presentation, completing the whole and making the record even more appealing. The time and thought that went into the sequencing will leave audiences not even realizing the album has ended when it ends until after the fact. To that end, it leaves audiences wanting for more in the best way possible. Each item examined here is important in its own way to the whole of Open Doors. All things considered, they make this record a work that given the right support, could finally open a lot of doors for Sneezy.
Open Doors is available now through Color Red. More information on the album is available along with all of the group’s latest news at:
Website: https://www.sneezyband.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sneezymusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sneezymusic
To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.