In a world where D’Angelo is back in full effect, Miguel may have to wait on being this generation’s Prince. But, he can certainly fill the opening Usher used to fill before he decided to skew super young in his material, leaving his adult audience behind (the sublime “Good Kisser” withstanding).On his seductive and hotly anticipated third commercially released album, Wildheart, Miquel delivers his own Confessions with the help of producers DJ Premier, Fisticuffs, Cashmere Cat, Benny Blanco, and Benny Cassette. Miguel’s blazing blender bangers that aren’t too alternative to alienate the urban adult contemporary crowd, but not too old to be dated for the kiddos, the largely self-penned Wildheart lands on that tough to find commercial sweet spot just shy of his 30th. For the L.A.
In a world where D’Angelo is back in full effect, Miguel may have to wait on being this generation’s Prince. But, he can certainly fill the opening Usher used to fill before he decided to skew super young in his material, leaving his adult audience behind (the sublime “Good Kisser” withstanding).On his seductive and hotly anticipated third commercially released album, Wildheart, Miquel delivers his own Confessions with the help of producers DJ Premier, Fisticuffs, Cashmere Cat, Benny Blanco, and Benny Cassette. Miguel’s blazing blender bangers that aren’t too alternative to alienate the urban adult contemporary crowd, but not too old to be dated for the kiddos, the largely self-penned Wildheart lands on that tough to find commercial sweet spot just shy of his 30th. For the L.A. born Blatino who claims he doesn’t feel like he belongs on “what’s normal anyway,” Miguel’s rock and soul vocals are perfectly placed in these very personal, largely relaxed compositions. Did we mention he gets to duet with Lenny Kravitz on the California soul meets classic rock of “face the sun?”
However, the hot song of the hour is Miguel’s latest single, “Coffee.” An airy, sinewy bedroom romp, the cut received a second life following its more provocative early version “Coffee (F***ing) feat. Wale” released on Miguel’s three-song EP, Wild. This considerably less explicit and more romantic take co-written with Brook Davis and self-produced by Miguel opens up the cut to a much wider audience. The steamy video echoing Confessions-era Usher should pretty much seal whatever deal his revealing psychedelic album cover hasn’t already, giving fellow nudist pretty boys Trey Songz and Chris Brown a run for their money. It helps that the song is actually a good one…just in case you’re someone who actually listens to the radio and missed this video completely. Still, I’d advise pressing play on the clip below and let the eye candy—I mean the incredible music -- carry you away.
By L. Michael Gipson