A sun-drenched splendor defines Taymarion’s touching “Love Letters”. With a flow that emphasizes compassion and care there is a loveliness to the way the verses cascade. Stylistically he brings together elements of R&B, pop, ambient, jazz, hip-hop, and trap into a coherent fully realized whole. The immersive experience means that the album is best taken in one single sitting, for Taymarion crafts a rich narrative that ties the journey together. By bringing together the highs and lows that define a fully lived life, there is a rawness to the way he puts it altogether. Easily the highlight and heart of the sound comes from his soulful delivery, whether he’s opting for a hushed awe or fiery bombast, it all works.
The slew of influences that abound throughout add to the colorful tapestry he’s woven. Notes of Drake’s soothing work emerges over the course of the experience. Beyond this are the noir vibes of A Tribe Called Quest, for his arrangements have a similar sophistication to them. Easily though the closest comparison would be the thought-provoking wordsmith Kendrick Lamar, whose laid-back, slow-moving verses have a close similarity to Taymarion. Yet what Taymarion does is highly unique, a feeling of increasing and decreasing tension. It all has a quiet sense of grandeur to it.
Glowing chords open the album up on a high note with the lush “Pull Up”. Percussion gains a geometric quality on the multi-faceted, multi-layered bliss of “Nothing Compares (feat. #ChillCity)” complete with exceptional bassline. On “Touching You” there is a giddiness to the track, for the beats bounce off the walls in a fantastic, fevered way, with even the reference to the 808 a nice touch. Incredible guitar licks help to center “Fatal Attraction” where there is an intense sensuality. The vinyl crackle adds to the classic sound of “Im In Love” by far the highlight of the album. From the hard-hitting beats to the optimism flowing from his lyrics there is a passion behind it.
“Six Nine (feat. St. Diego)” goes for a truly physical approach, from the heavy groove to the ornate wordplay. Buildup matters a great deal on the stripped-down raw sound of “Deeper Level”. Fragile patterns interlock on “Down” featuring a personal touch. With a hint of the blues comes the slowed-down style of “Jaded”. Doing the sound tremendous justice “On The Side” slyly slips through with a thoughtful, universal sense of storytelling. Bringing everything to a powerful conclusion is the tremendous “Fifty Fifty”.
Done with such dignity, Taymarion inhabits their own unique sonic universe with the confessional “Love Letters”.
