CHILDISH GAMBINO DELIVERS
The Method To His Madness on 3.15.20
With a blank cover enveloping the new Childish Gambino album, it invites all interpretations as a tabula rasa, a blank slate through with different meanings from the musical ethos of the actor and musician. The robust songs are so much more unique than his earlier songs. His work is always evolving, and because of the Internet, his second album offers a unique brand of experimental hip-hop.
Gambino is said to have drawn from the classic blues and jazz on his last album but this one is a medley of effects and voices that come from a wider variety of music genres. In an article from The Guardian, “Awaken, My Love! found Childish Gambino dropping the structure of his previous output in favor of lushly layered psychedelic fun in the tradition of George Clinton and vocals reminiscent of Prince at his most soulful.”
This album, 3.15.20, is a musical amalgam (or algorithm) of his past styles and new avant-garde sounds. This album utilizes instrumentation and sounds to generate a dark mood that only Gambino knows how to control. The opening track invites us into a world that is vague but potent as a trippy horn solo pulls us into this project. Gambino drags up emotions from the listener and continues to the song, “Algorhythm” which has dark vocals and loud instruments reminiscent of the hip-hop group, Death Grips. Gambino also draws from his contemporaries but infuses it with soul in tracks like Time and 24.19, where Frank Ocean-like vocals and lyrics pair with the synthesized sound of 1970s singer, producer Teddy Riley.
Tyler the Creator‘s voice is present in this album on songs like 12.38, where high-pitched lyrics match interesting and provocative words. Sounds like Queen are also present on tracks like 39.28. Overall, this album oozes with influence, showing Gambino’s musical power and knowledge. Gambino’s most significant idol seems to be Michael Jackson and he also channels the style of psychedelic 70s throughout his project. The passion and pizazz on this album strike from start to finish. Songs like 53.49 are soulful ballads with the sound of Marvin Gaye echoing throughout the chorus and bridge. PROVOKR wants you to listen to this album. You’ll get a glimpse of the fresh music that overtakes Childish Gambino’s, i.e., Donald Glover‘s newest LP.
