My new obsession - Sam Sparro Album Review

Sam Sparro, a new artist based in the UK, released his debut, eponymous album earlier this year and I figured I would introduce him with a review. Sam Sparro is a hodge-podge of disco, R&B, pop, and soul that makes for an inviting debut, as there’s likely something for everyone. And as for the dreamy Sam himself; ladies, he’s gay. Gay boys, he’s taken. Sigh... (continue reading)

The album kicks off with Too Many Questions, an introspective disco ditty made rich by Sam’s R&B vocals. Grammy-nominated Black and Gold comes in next, Sparro’s first hit record and already a staple in gay clubs across the States. The infectious track has definitely made for a great career-starter. Unfortunately, it would seem that Sam squandered his momentum by releasing 21st Century Life as the follow-up single. While not a throwaway, it is not exactly groundbreaking or distinct enough to warrant much praise. Jamiroquai could have made the same track, honestly.

Sick and Waiting for Time follow, both electronic-tinged mid-tempo tracks that add welcome variety to the overall sound of the album. Neither is as fabulous as Recycle It, however, a tongue-in-cheek, Prince-influenced interlude encouraging listeners to recycle. Love it. Cottonmouth is also awesome, possibly my favorite track on the album. It’s just a catchy, soulful head-bopper that has you singing along sooner than you think and putting it on repeat when it’s through.

Hot Mess, devastatingly enough, does not live up to its name. (And let us be frank; I’ve been waiting for a song called ‘Hot Mess’ to come along for years now). The Prince influence is there, but it mostly just sounds like a few of the other tracks on the album. His decision to leave ‘Hot Mess’ out of the chorus is over my head. I cannot figure it out. I also can’t understand why Pocket is the third single. I find it to be the least engaging song on the album. Sam himself sounds monotone on the track, as if he couldn’t be bothered with lacing this song like he did the others.

Cut Me Loose needs to be jettisoned to the clubs immediately. This song knocks and the lyrics are hilarious, especially the bit about the sexy girl he’s not interested in. Sam is caught again emulating Prince, but it doesn’t get old, similar to how Prince himself does not age. You can definitely ‘snap your neck, your back, and shake your rump.' Sally is hot as well, with Sam really putting the funk on his vocals. It’s somewhat campy, but it’s that dramatic, fun, gay brand of camp that’s endearing. Sam keeps it popping with Clingwrap, another hilarious banger that you can’t help but move to. If you’re not a fan after listening to these three songs in succession, then his music probably isn’t for you.

Can’t Stop This, by no means an awful song, isn’t quite as awesome as the previous three and ends up sounding like filler that could have been edited out in the interest of closing the album out neatly with Sam’s only ballad, Still Hungry. A pleasantly surprising respite from the rest of the disc’s intensity, Still Hungry is a track that I found easy to relate to, and provides Sam the opportunity to show off his pipes. His raspy, unique voice really shines here and I look forward to future ballads.

Listening to the album, Prince and Stevie Wonder’s influences are abundantly clear, but, oddly enough, I see Sam Sparro as Erykah Badu’s pop, male counterpart. Though not strictly an R&B singer, Sam demonstrates through his debut that he is capable of both Erykah’s wit and grit, especially on tracks like Cottonmouth. This is not mindless pop music crafted to attract the most listeners. Sam wrote or co-wrote every track and his artistry shines through his lyrics and melodies. Like some of Badu’s popular singles, there are those fresh, comedic lines that make you LOL when you listen, and he always delivers the swagger and/or emotion to make the songs engaging. There are also some similarities to Lady Gaga, though Sam is nowhere near as queer as the gay man trapped within that girl.

For a debut album, Sam Sparro is surprisingly complete. A solid effort from an artist with a promising future ahead of him. I was almost surprised that he didn’t get a Best New Artist nomination after being recognized for Black and Gold, but then I reminded myself that it is the Grammys after all, and how often do they get anything right. Moreover, there were legitimately quite a few awesome artists to burst on the scene in the last year. Either way, I am definitely a fan now and I recommend Sparro if you’re looking for something new, which you always should be.