Omar Afuni isn't new but he is new to me - and often with an artist who has a back catalogue you can delve into, once you've got over the regret that you didn't discover them sooner you are awash in an embarrassment of riches - drenched in their songs, sounds and visuals; saturated with their history as an artist. I've spent the past two weeks immersed in the music of Omar (I shall be returning to his debut album and lovely Christmas music very soon) and a jolly good time it has been too. Today, however, we're here to concentrate on his delicious new album, Soundproof which is available for you to purchase right now. And purchase it you should for it is a soaring collection of emboldened, impassioned and heartfelt tunes designed to touch your soul, lift your spirits, elevate your mood and get those hips & shoulders shimmying to the beat. Soundproof is clearly a labour of love that showcases Omar's talents both as a writer and performer, his ability to switch seamlessly between big synth infused dance numbers and tender, delicate, mellifluous ballads; and demonstrates a masterclass in how to look pretty darn hot on the cover of the album too. I mean seriously, the dude looks amazing in a casual-meets-smart chinos, shirt, tie, blazer combo - every vigorous young go getter should be emulating this look for work next week :) But it's the other touches that really bring the album cover to life - the joyous pose Omar strikes that represents the confident positivity he sings about in certain songs; the headphones bringing visual realness to the title of the album. It's so much more than just an album cover - it's a representation of what you experience with each listen. And what that experience is is the most sparkling pop album since Kylie's Light Years; the most consistent dance album since Madonna's Confessions On A Dancefloor. I don't mean to set the expectations high but the quality of Omar's work here is so good that I could pick at least 6-7 singles from Soundproof and still have some back ups to spare...
The album leads off with the titular track which lyrically deals with blocking out the negativity in your life, muting those who seek to bring you down with their words. It's like the most amazing modern day version of 'sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me'. It's about getting to that point where you say "no more" and decide to concentrate on what you know you can achieve. It's a bold statement that sets up the entire album extremely well, particularly with a vibrant dance track, steeped in electronica that wouldn't sound out of place next to Madonna's modern day epic Girl Gone Wild. This is followed by Music Therapy (the lead off single for the album) which also seems like the direct sequel to and next chapter of the song that preceded it. What's not to love about a song that so accurately puts into words the healing and redemptive power of music set to a percolating beat that perfectly mirrors Omar's resonant tones singing "SURRENDER TO THE RAPTURE, GO INTO A STATE OF TRANCE/FRAME FREEZING THE MOMENT, JUST LET ALL YOUR PROBLEMS GLANCE"... Punchy rave synths ensure that the chorus is a euphoric state of mind that washes over you, elevating your mood. As a song within the confines of the album, as well as a lead off single, it's a sterling piece of work that demands repeat listening. Escape The Box continues with the theme of shutting out the haters and dancing to the beat of your own drum. Omar beings the song (metaphorically) gagged & bound looking for his creativity to help him break free from the restraints keeping him down. Escape The Box becomes his safe word and is an empowering number that, once again, uses Omar's clever lyricism to paint a vivid picture of how to achieve your potential in life - I particularly like the section where he sings "DON'T LET ANYBODY TELL YOU JUST WHO YOU SHOULD BE /SOCIETY'S MOLDS LIMIT CREATIVITY /IT'S A GIGANTIC HUMAN PHOTOCOPYING MACHINE /SO WASH OFF THE INK AND BE YOUR OWN ENTITY"; potentially the most inspiring love is love song since Lady Gaga's Born This Way. Also of note - the punctuated "escape" ad-libs that fuel the message forward in the chorus. It lifts the song - the most pop on the album so far - to dizzying new heights.
Alive absolutely must be single number two from the album - and I certainly won't accept anything else :D I haven't mentioned this yet but Omar has a really beautiful voice that is able to transcend genres yet is distinctive enough not to get lost in the club production of his songs. In the opening bars of Alive, his voice is transparently beautiful, soaring with conviction, enthusiasm and passion. Surrounded by a sparkling dance groove, he sweetly sings of the joy of performing in a way that hits home so much more elegantly than Lady Gaga's Applause. It's as triumphant as Madonna's Celebration, as gleeful as Kylie's Better The Devil You Know and as theatrical as Erasure's Drama. Yet it stands firmly on it's own two feet as an Omar original - with the acoustic version further delineating the power & allure of his impressive pipes. Moving onto Bad, it's a brave man who bares his soul to the world, confessing his sins and making it sound so intimate even when the music is stark electronica designed to sound detached & robotic. His voice is the emotional anchor to the song, drawing the listener in as the absolver of crimes committed. Borders is almost the flip side to the coin - the memories of the good times a relationship can bring before things turn sour. It's full of lush piano and sweeping string effects that give the tune a necessary, grandiose atmosphere before the chorus gallops in with a deliriously happy melody. It's all effortlessly buoyant (reminds me of the lovely new Agnetha tune, Back On My Radio) and definitive proof that Omar knows how to construct music from the heart but for the masses. This continues with another potential single, Heartbreaks & Sun Rays - an exquisite teardrops on the discofloor type number that helps the wistful melancholy side of the lyrics seem dusted with hopes thanks to a gloriously peppy instrumental accompaniment.
In a perfect world, Portrait of a Lady would be a grammy winning song for Omar. It's a haunting engaging number that touches on themes of sacrifice, missed opportunity and the sense of unknown - I really like that it could have been inspired by a passing glance at any picture hanging in a hotel lobby and Omar creating a story out of it. Set to a evocative piano & strings backdrop with subtle synths giving a contemporary feel it's the type of song that will sound utterly amazing in whatever format it's delivered in. Indeed, it feels like it should be part of a contemporary broadway musical with Omar in a tux surrounded by people at a dinner party, yet just him alone with this mesmerising picture behind him on the wall. The sadder side of Omar continues with Leave Me Alone - an ode to unrequited love and living in a world of possibilities where it's potentially the only place that the love can burn & live & survive. It's touchingly sad and Omar gives a nuanced performance that will tug at your heartstrings. It reminds me a little of when Depeche Mode and Erasure (and the synthy ilk) did ballads in the 80s - their ability to infuse the electronica with real emotion & pathos as much as any big ol' Whitney number. (A spiritual successor to this song is Breathing which celebrates the absolute nirvana of a new relationship; an epic love affair. It's what happens when the dream comes true and is a gorgeous tune from start to finish).
Flashing Lights returns to the bright and breezy uplifting songs that kicked the album into life. Cascading disco riffs give the chorus an addictive, retro feel and there is some alluring falsetto from Mr Afuni himself (who, looks mighty fine in his sleeveless top on the lyrics page of the liner notes - superbly produced it must be said. Makes me yearn for a hard copy of the album). It's actually quite nice that the album cohesively closes with the same message of self belief, equality for all & an enabling shout out that it began with. It feels like you've been on a whole journey with Omar - "You can tie me up" (not without a safe word one assumes. Mine would be "Yes please" :D) "You can lock me up, but you never can control me" begins Super Trouper. It's a revelation of a song with a kicky Wham-esque vibe to it that will have you finger clicking along as it instantly embeds itself in your brain, transfusing you with energy & eager zeal. The lyrics spill out of Omar's mouth at a million miles a minute and by the end of your first listen you are easily singing along "super super trouper trouper, this is my anthem". And an anthem it is - one that deserves to be heard by many. The album comes to a close with The Calm, a quiet, reflective piece that urges you to just set the busy world aside for a minute and reflect on what is important to you. It's not only a delicate piece of music but it gives you the opportunity to allow the emotions the album evokes to settle; the listener emerges refreshed and all too ready to start the journey again. All in all, an outstanding piece of work that deserves every kudo lavished on it that it will no doubt receive. Get onboard with Omar Afuni right now, because there is no way you will regret the ride he's going to take you on...
Potential singles: Music Therapy; Alive; Heartbreaks & Sun Rays; Borders; Portrait of a Lady; Super Trooper
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