[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_type=”circular” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”top left” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(255,255,255,0.89) 30%|rgba(255,255,255,0) 80%” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(255,255,255,0.89)” background_color_gradient_start_position=”30%” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_color_gradient_end_position=”80%” background_image=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Keshi-debut-album-gabriel.jpeg” parallax=”on” width=”100%” min_height=”100px” custom_margin=”-12px||194px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-50px||194px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”8vw|1px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.49)” transform_translate_linked=”off” min_height=”192px” custom_margin=”160px|auto|150px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”61px|48px|61px|48px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”46px” text_line_height=”1.2em” header_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_font_size=”80px” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_5_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_5_text_color=”#000000″ header_5_font_size=”20px” header_5_letter_spacing=”0.5em” header_5_line_height=”1.8em” custom_margin=”-30px||-2px|0px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|90px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” animation_style=”zoom” animation_intensity_zoom=”5%” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”33px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”1.2em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”48px” header_font_size_phone=”28px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_5_font_size_tablet=”14px” header_5_font_size_phone=”12px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ inline_fonts=”Montserrat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Keshi\u2019s \u2018GABRIEL\u2019 leaves more to be desired<\/b><\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|500|||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”15px” header_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_font_size=”80px” header_5_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_5_text_color=”#000000″ header_5_font_size=”20px” header_5_letter_spacing=”0.5em” header_5_line_height=”1.8em” width=”83.3%” min_height=”0px” custom_margin=”0px|129px|-35px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px|0px|0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|63px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”zoom” animation_intensity_zoom=”5%” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”1.8em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”48px” header_font_size_phone=”32px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_5_font_size_tablet=”14px” header_5_font_size_phone=”12px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ inline_fonts=”Montserrat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
Asian-American singer Keshi<\/span>\u00a0has released his long-awaited first album. The rising star and beloved crooner has charmed a legion of fans worldwide, who call themselves the \u2018Keshi Kult\u2019, with singles such as \u20182 soon\u2019, \u2018drunk\u2019 and \u2018like i need u\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-194px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”84px” custom_margin=”-67px|auto||auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-145px|auto|-100px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” custom_margin=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Asian-American artist Keshi in a promotional still for his debut album, <\/span>GABRIEL. <\/span><\/i>Photo taken from Universal Music Group.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About Us” _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”1463px” custom_margin=”-136px||-385px|||” custom_padding=”107px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-55px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-35px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”2px|0|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px||true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|104px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-40px|79px|0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”15px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n BY <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3.png” alt=”3-out-of-5-review-stickers” title_text=”3-out-of-5-review-stickers” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Who is this for?<\/strong> Fans of Keshi, BROCKHAMPTON fans recovering from their breakup, 88Rising stans.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Label:<\/strong> Island Records<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n When people think of sensual music, it\u2019s rare that they\u2019d mention an Asian artist. Most of the time, people think of the slow, hip-gyrating beats from sensual R&B artists like The Weeknd and Kali Uchis, or the empowering rap tracks from the likes of Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Maybe you\u2019re thinking of Lykke Li\u2019s <\/span>so sad, so sexy. <\/span><\/i>Well, this one\u2019s sad and sexy.<\/span><\/p>\n Enter Keshi, 27. The Vietnamese-American R&B whisperer has dropped his long-anticipated debut album, <\/span>GABRIEL<\/span><\/i>, after a string of releases including 2018\u2019s <\/span>THE REAPER <\/span><\/i>and a trilogy of EPs from 2019 to 2020. The artist cleverly blends the shy, low-key appeal of a sensitive, quiet dude with feelings with the image of a moody bad boy who looks better than you with his shirt off.<\/span><\/p>\n Keshi\u2019s made waves in the Gen-Z Asian community. He\u2019s a refreshing figure, especially since it\u2019s uncommon to see an Asian artist take control of their image as a mysterious heartthrob with plenty of feelings. Girls want him, and it\u2019s obvious that many Singaporean boys want to be Keshi. He\u2019s effortlessly sexy, a textbook Scorpio clad in black with tattoos, windblown hair and an aloof gaze that combines just the right amount of mystery and intrigue.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He may not know this, but his style is emulated in mullets and wolf cuts, stacks of silver jewellery and all-black ensembles, much like his contemporaries in Asian-American record label 88Rising. I call a lot of these men \u2018Keshi wannabes\u2019 as a joke.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In a press conference with the Southeast Asian media earlier this year, Keshi stayed true to his sensitive self. We\u2019re promised a much more confessional and personal album inspired by John Mayer, Radiohead and Frank Ocean.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Keshi-vinyl-release-debut-album-gabriel.jpeg” alt=”Keshi-vinyl-release-debut-album-gabriel” title_text=”Keshi-vinyl-release-debut-album-gabriel” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”31px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n GABRIEL\u2019s<\/span><\/i> vinyl release offers a unique listening experience to fans. Photo taken from Keshi\u2019s web store.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The album\u2019s first track and second promotional single, \u2018GET IT’, recalls the now-defunct rap group BROCKHAMPTON\u2019s efforts, especially with its pitch-deepened chorus, Kevin Abstract-like singing and trap beat. It\u2019s a fun opener that promises a thrilling new direction for Keshi as an artist, a sensitive whisperer who has gently crooned his way from SoundCloud to the <\/span>Shang-Chi soundtrack.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n At its essence, it\u2019s still full of the DNA that fans know and love: It\u2019s got everything from the swoon-worthy high notes, with a stronger hip-hop essence that may give BROCKHAMPTON fans a run for their money. \u2018GET IT\u2019 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>is certainly one of the album\u2019s high points for how unique it is amongst his discography, and its music video recalls the earlier works of K-Pop rapper, G-Dragon. Weirdly, the beat reminds me of this <\/span>TikTok trend from 2019.<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5OLgj5s21Ps&ab_channel=KeshiVEVO” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-20px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n GABRIEL\u2019s<\/span><\/i> second track and first promotional single, \u2018SOMEBODY’, is the quintessential \u201csexy track\u201d of the lot. The steamy music video shows an ethereal fantasy with alt-girl baddies who look like they\u2019re fresh off a Dolls Kill lingerie shoot, along with Keshi surrounded by flowers and smoke. It almost looks like the darker mirror image of the Garden of Eden, and it perfectly compliments the mythical, sexy lyricism of the track. In both tracks, Keshi promises unfaltering loyalty and adoration towards his lover with a ride-or-die attitude.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uV2yMgh85qU&ab_channel=KeshiVEVO” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n WESTSIDE <\/i>is one of the most confessional tracks on <\/span>GABRIEL, <\/i>as Keshi questions everything around him, including his relationship.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo where the f*ck you been? And where you think you goin? Is leaving you a sin or not?\u201d<\/b> He implores. <\/span>\u201cAm I better never knowing? Where the f*ck is home? Where the fuck I\u2019m goin’? Where the f*ck my friends? F*ck I\u2019m waiting for? Think it\u2019s time to go, think it\u2019s time to call you.\u201d<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/x_vwAzBsuWM” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The third single, \u2018TOUCH’ offers details about a lusty forbidden fling as Keshi laments what could have been. He bemoans the inability to get closer and more intimate with a partner pondering if the non-commital sex between the pair would be better than an actual committed relationship. The track almost feels apologetic and pleading with its lyricism: <\/span>\u201cSaid it\u2019s only a touch\/ Is it b\u0435tter than us to you?\u201d<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/juMQWThd5rQ” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The centre of the album is where <\/span>GABRIEL <\/i>loses its touch (all pun intended). \u2018MILLI\u2019 blends into \u2018TOUCH\u2019, but feels like a rather unnecessary section of the album due to its repetitive nature as Keshi broods over his vices. Little texture is present in the production of this track and the lyrics fail to communicate a darker change in the album\u2019s mood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZnxqCeArPko” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>When it comes to the addition of spoken-word interludes, many artists try to insert a greater message within an album. Some feel incomprehensive and inconsistent compared to the rest of the album, such as Justin Bieber\u2019s poorly thought-out \u2018MLK Interlude\u2019<\/span> <\/span>in his pop album, \u00a0<\/span>Justice. <\/i>Others, such as \u2018A Tale By Quincy\u2019 in The Weeknd\u2019s <\/span>Dawn FM<\/i>, transition beautifully and meaningfully into the rest of the album. Keshi\u2019s interlude \u2018PER\u00ca\u2019 <\/span>\u00a0<\/i>is a sweet addition that offers a French spoken word section from his father (per\u00ea means \u2018dad\u2019 in French) on his experience as an Asian immigrant in America, leaving all that he had behind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While it serves as a heartwarming and meaningful easter egg for fans, general listeners may feel confused at the awkward pause without any instrumentation, which could have been added for it to flow more consistently with the rest of <\/span>GABRIEL.<\/span><\/i> You\u2019ll be disappointed to know that there isn\u2019t a follow-up on Keshi\u2019s dad\u2019s experience as an immigrant on the following tracks, either.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Follow-up track \u2018HELL\/HEAVEN’ is a signature Keshi track, with ethereal vocals that feel like a heavenly lover\u2019s adoration, and serves as one of the more memorable tracks on the album.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/HLFtTPbI6XU” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u2018ANGOSTURA\u2019 <\/span>\u00a0<\/i>feels nicely consistent with the rest of Keshi\u2019s discography, but doesn\u2019t feel like a standout in any way. \u2018UNDERSTAND\u2019 <\/span>\u00a0<\/i>is one of the quieter, stripped-down and emotional tracks on the album, and feels very much like the \u2018La Vie En Rose\u2019<\/span> <\/span>of the album. Upon realising that his lover is the only one who understands who he is, Keshi gives up his fear of commitment and his vices. In a moment that feels like a deep sigh of relief, he finally asks his lover to commit to him and stay, offering an answer to the burning question from \u2018TOUCH\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/SqFJEIT35k8″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/6DcUnqZqTvI” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u2018LIMBO\u2019<\/span> is a contemplative follow-up after \u2018UNDERSTAND\u2019<\/span>, <\/span><\/i>as Keshi promises to be the best he could for his lover as she ponders commitment. In this track, he is very much in limbo: far away from heaven and too hopeful for hell. \u2018LIMBO\u2019<\/span> is also where the artist is at his most vulnerable, as he begins to feel like a fraud for his lusty inhibitions.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI just been goin through motions, back and forth like a ocean<\/b><\/p>\n I am a fraud, I am the shit, hoping that nobody notice<\/b><\/p>\n Bang chest in the morning, head down in the night<\/b><\/p>\n Drink less if I wanted, strike up with the light<\/b><\/p>\n And square up, I’m the mightest<\/b><\/p>\n Myself in the fight, hurt twice but i tried it<\/b><\/p>\n No advice for this shit, might die for this shit<\/b><\/p>\n Do I feel alive, feel alive, feel alive?\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/ssIiBm0ORuI” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Breakup track \u2018ANGEL\u2019<\/span> <\/span>feels church-like and almost Mandopop-ish, with its piano and guitar instrumentation. On this track, it\u2019s like you finally hear Keshi shout his feelings out loud, and the change of dynamics feels invigorating after listening to a rather quiet, gentle album.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>\u201cWhat could I do? I thought you were an angel, and lost myself when I caught sight of you,\u201d<\/b> he laments in glorious, sad-boy fashion.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/nVLfZmVpVOI” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The album\u2019s title track and final song, \u2018GABRIEL’<\/span>, <\/span><\/i>feels like Keshi\u2019s last resort to win back the one that got away. It\u2019s a lot more sad compared to say, two tracks ago, as he resigns himself to his fate. It almost ends anticlimactically with little production at the end, and its lyrical references to the biblical angel barely gel together with the rest of its concept. <\/span>\u201cBefore I leave, I\u2019ll see Gabriel,\u201d <\/b>he sings in the last line of the album.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In biblical lore, Gabriel was the angel who brought the Virgin Mary news of her pregnancy with Christ. What\u2019s that got to do with Keshi, and could he explain why?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The metaphors, lyrics and production in this track are disappointing and somewhat confusing, and leaves you wanting more: It could have certainly taken notes from other works, such as FINNEAS\u2019 production on <\/span>Happier Than Ever, <\/span><\/i>which was by a similarly ethereally-voiced artist, Billie Eilish.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It almost feels like the album should have ended on \u2018ANGEL\u2019 instead, since \u2018GABRIEL\u2019<\/span> was far less powerful than it could\u2019ve been. In fact, the album lacks so much change in its tracks that half the songs can\u2019t be told apart, with the exceptions of more unique tracks such as \u2018GET IT\u2019, \u2018HELL\/HEAVEN\u2019 and \u2018ANGEL\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/VPVNhp6t50o” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You don\u2019t always catch the lyrics on many of the tracks either, because much of it feels like a trap-based mumble, a signature trait of the Keshiverse. Sure, it\u2019s personal, but compared to other R&B greats, the production and lyricism of <\/span>GABRIEL <\/span><\/i>as a whole<\/span> leaves much to be desired.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At times, he\u2019s so soft I forget that he\u2019s feeling angry and confused on some of these tracks.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s not exactly heartbreaking either, and <\/span>GABRIEL <\/span><\/i>may feel underwhelming to some. Pop and R&B fans looking for an easy listen will be satisfied, as the album<\/span> is rather pleasing on the ears. People looking for a magnum opus would probably be disappointed.<\/span><\/p>\n Personally, what I want to hear from this album would be a genuine scream from someone who\u2019s been a whisperer for much of his career. I\u2019m not asking for a heavy metal scream, but a change in dynamics would have been nice. There have been many good screams in mainstream pop. Come on, even notorious whisperer Billie Eilish screamed in <\/span>this single.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n After all, Casey Luong\u2019s angst needs to go somewhere, right? I almost feel like a friend telling a shy guy to just speak up for himself, because this album is full of emotion, except I can\u2019t feel it because it\u2019s not conveyed adequately enough. C\u2019mon Keshi, I\u2019m really rooting for you. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”- Gabrielle Ang” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ background_color=”#233956″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n After all, Casey Luong\u2019s angst needs to go somewhere, right? I almost feel like a friend telling a shy guy to just speak up for himself, because this album is full of emotion, except I can\u2019t feel it because it\u2019s not conveyed adequately enough. C\u2019mon Keshi, I\u2019m really rooting for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-449px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n GABRIEL <\/i>is sad, but it\u2019s sexy. It\u2019s sexy with a tinge of guilt that feels self-conscious to the point that you can barely hear Keshi on some tracks, or comprehend what he\u2019s actually saying to you.\u00a0<\/span>
Gabrielle Ang<\/strong>
Editor<\/strong>
Hype Issue #54<\/strong><\/p>\nPublished on<\/h5>\n
April 24, 2022<\/h5>\n