Album Review: Sunflowers In September by Frisco Boogie

 Sunflowers In September

By

Frisco Boogie

Today see’s the release of the new album from Nottingham emcee/Producer Frisco Boogie. Titled Sunflowers in September is the follow-up to Mask's of the Morning Sun, Rainbow’s in the Rubble and C.I.R.C.U.S. both of which I have reviewed on the blog.

So, lets get straight into it as I take you through the album from top to bottom…

Intro Sunflowers kicks things off and you immediately get a sense that there is a reflective aspect to not just the track but, to the album as well. Frisco’s vocals are almost softened into the background as the drums and piano really take the forefront. With that air of reflection also comes the feeling that far from being about endings there is a lot here that focuses on new beginnings. With those thoughts hanging in the air, we get into the first of singles from the album, Delight, with its laid-back drums, flute, bells, and guitar notes. This mellow head nod vibe takes you into Frisco Boogie’s love of Hip Hop and the fact that he still enjoys making the music and standing on stage, proving it’s not how old you are, it’s the pure Delight that it brings you that makes you what you are and what you deliver. Next, we get straight into the second single, Strollin’, where we get this real upbeat mix of drums, guitar, keys and finger snaps, which brings this funky fresh feel-good sound. Frisco Boogie really seems to be speaking on living in the now and looking on the bright side of things and facing everyday with a positive outlook to bring that sunshine into your life and feeling like you’re walking on the clouds.    

Keys, cymbals and drums create a jazzy vibe for Mean, as you begin to unconsciously nod your head, Frisco Boogie takes a different stance in looking at the people who try to knock you back. There is no anger or frustration here just telling it how it is and a desire to see karma catching up with them, one day. Drums and piano are the main elements of A Beautiful Place, with some calm cuts slipped in to add a bit more depth. Here Frisco Looks at the graff element of Hip Hop and the Black Book, that place where you can put all your dreams down on paper creating masterpiece’s, with their intricate blend of colours and designs, it can be a new world beyond which you can truly lose yourself in. Words of Wizdom (ft DJ Glibstylez) is short skit that has piano with a grime vibe to it, over this is a sampled vocal that is telling you to focus on the now and not to look back. To much looking back at where you have been, is likely to make you fail, you need to focus on where you are now, what’s right in front of you as you move forward…

Horns, piano, and drums combine to create a nice jazzy vibe for WST (World Still Turns). The jazzy nature of this has a thoughtful nature to it as Frisco Boogie speaks on all those decisions we face in life and the fact that the world turns no matter what, you don’t need to spend too much time reflecting on what might have been or beating yourself up, take the next step forward because the next step could well be the one that makes you realise all your hopes and dreams. Drums, guitar, and piano combine to produce a laid-back vibe that has real feeling to it. Frisco Boogie is thinking Arr Yeah (ft Kam), as he muses over that special lady in his life and how she makes him feel and what it means to be together. Next is the final single from the album, Lemonade, with drums, piano, cymbals and some soulful vocals bring a big sound that has that feel good vibe. That feel vibe echoes in Frisco Boogie’s vocals as he speaks on the sunny days and all those things that make you feel good and bring a smile to you face. These are the things we all need to drink a big glass of right now.  

Whenever U Need Me! is the penultimate track and gives us some heavy drums, guitar, piano notes, and strings. Those heavy drum sounds don’t overpower this emotive sound and vocals. Frisco Boogie takes us by the hand, leading us through a touching story of relationship struggles and how, sometimes, you just have to take a step back and let someone know your there, no matter how hard it might be for you. Frisco Boogie rounds the album off with its title track Sunflowers In September. Again, we have some heavy drum sounds which are almost softened by strings and keys, retaining this air of thoughtfulness. The message behind this one is that life might seem hard, and you might think there is no light at the end of the tunnel but, it’s never too late to change your life, wherever you are one life’s journey, no matter your age, you can still make it, you can still bloom, just like those Sunflowers in September…

Sunflowers In September has this deeply emotive vibe to it where Frisco Boogie takes his time speak on a lot of personal subject’s that you will find touching and that you can easily relate to But, more than that, he tackles everything here with an uplifting vibe that says ‘no matter where you are or situations you find yourself in, you can bounce back, there is a silver lining and there is a light at the end of that tunnel, and he does that by speaking from personal experience.

Musically you will find this album to be more laid back and calm than previous offerings but, with the depth of emotions laid bare by his lyrical content, you will see how everything here works so well and in harmony. There are times when he is telling a story that he knows will touch you, then there are moments when he sounds like your best friend talking to you and further, he even sounds like a guardian angel figure who is encouraging you not to quit and to trust in yourself.

Sunflowers In September is one of those albums that you can easily put on and chill to and that will open you up to just enjoying the experience or even have you looking a bit more deeply at yourself and asking questions about your own life.

Overall, it is a quality and solid album that has its roots in Hip Hop whist drawing influences from other genres to enhance the feeling of the music where needed. It is definitely one that you need to experience for yourself.

Sunflowers In September, produced and written by Frisco Boogie is out today, the 29th July, so be sure to check it out on all good streaming services etc.

On that note,

I’m Out,

Steve

LINKS

Get Sunflowers In September on Bandcamp Here:

https://friscoboogie.bandcamp.com/album/sunflowers-in-september

Remember to check all the usual streaming services for the album too...

Stream the full album on YouTube Here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lRChO1InYad9FHwdBJrvCFrPZmVvyY5uo

VIDEOS

DELIGHT