Week 19 - “Awaken, My Love!” - Childish Gambino - A No-Skip album.

I have a lot to say about this one. One of my all time favourite albums, Awaken, My Love! Is a complete deviation from Gambino’s prior sounds. A cornucopia of sheer talent, Donald Glover has been one of my favourite creators ever since I came across Troy Barnes on the Greendale campus. His previous albums have also been stellar; insane rap flow with incredibly intelligent lyricism, but it is this one that really hits different.

An album (I surmise) is dedicated to his then newborn son, Gambino pontificates on his realities. Boogeyman takes on themes of racial violence in America while Terrified and Zombies acts as an exploration of his feelings towards the modern rap “machine”. Baby Boy most obviously talking about fatherhood and his fears of losing his son.

Inspired by Funkadelic’s Maggot Brain, the album possesses a deeply psychedelic tone, especially in the instrumentation. The album itself has an RnB feel to it however it doesn’t stick to that label for long. With plenty of funk, the album has a distinct aesthetic. Listening to Maggot Brain and this back to back, the similarities / allusions are undeniable, and yet Awaken! is able to distinguish itself in a truly unique way. It’s honestly a great album and I’ve loved it since the first listen.

Personally I'm a sucker for concept albums, I love when artists take risks, staying true to the evolution of their creativity. The album comes off as a genuine collection of Gambino’s feelings as he pours them out for you to listen to.

My recommendations off the album

1. Boogeyman - In this track, Gambino is at his lyrical best. Sharp, provocative and relevant, he explores the ideas of racial violence and police brutality. I think this is very similar to the guerilla messaging of the Fugees. Presented in an incredibly funky package, Boogeyman is Gambino’s satirical take on racial profiling by law enforcement. Sonically, a definite nod to “Hit It and Quit It” the track is just soo funky
   

2. Redbone - The song I think everyone has heard from this album and definitely the most broadly palatable, the song is soulful and Gambino’s vocal performance surely came as a surprise. Ironically, the lyrics are a dive into his psychology and paranoia about infidelity in his relationship. The heavily featured “stay woke” a warning to stay vigilant. Ofcourse, this song was used in Jordan Peele’s Get Out, yet another fantastic project from another one of my favourite creators (Key and Peele is an absolute mood) In that of course, the song took on a completely different, yet equally relevant meaning The heavy emphasis on percussion and the bassline really make this a standout track. Though it seems sparse, the layering and little accents with the bells are icing on a fabulous cake.
   

3. Stand Tall - One of the reasons I love this album is the sheer storytelling through it, Gambino takes us through his mind as he deals with some particularly dark subject matter. Now speaking directly to both his son and the listener, Gambino uses the last track on the album to end on an optimistic note. Both reminiscing as well as imparting his parent’s advice he urges us to smile when we can. A reminder to stay strong; despite all that we see and experience we should stand tall. Taking it a step further, he reassures us that on the days that are too much, we don’t have to brave them alone. A definite favourite for me, I have heard this album more than a few dozen times and this track has always been a source of good vibes only

Though I have offered my top picks, I believe concept albums are best experienced as a whole and in the order intended. Concept albums are so much greater than an arrangement of tracks, I see them as a curated experience from the artist. So, just slap on your best pair of headphones and enjoy this warbly, wonderfully funky goodness that is this album in its entirety.

Also, if anyone is ever curious about what to gift me, this album on Vinyl is a much welcomed option :)

Go listen to Funkadelic’s Maggot Brain, that is an insane album in itself.