Future Life
Progression
By
O.Love
With such a wealth of good music being released in 2021, I
was excited for the release of the album Future Life Progression from Bristol
based and Multitalented artist O.Love (aka Asian Hawk).
I have previously reviewed a couple of the single releases
from this album in Embellishment and Controversial. This introduced me to his brand
of electronic neo-funk, neo-soul. This was a refreshing sound, and I was
looking forward to listening to the album to see what else was instore.
So, lets get right into it…
The albums title track, FLP, is also its intro, with
sparce and spaced-out tones providing the backdrop, it really invites you to
listen with an open mind because every time you put this on it will bring a new
and exciting experience. This is mind expanding, like an introduction to a
musical meditative experience. Our first full length track is Controversial which
features Matt Owen (Noah and the Whale) and Keno Decosta Medford (Sounds of
Harlowe) providing guitars. This track reflects the driving force and desire
to leave the DJ world behind and expand to newer, more exciting musical
heights, with universal appeal. This is a spaced-out Neo-Funk/Neo-Soul
track that has a vibe right out of hyperspace, deep space, or some previously
undiscovered alternate reality. It has a funk fuelled beat over which floats
that eclectic mix of guitar, synth and melodic vocals. Those vocals bring to
your awareness all that is or could be termed controversial. By the end of the
track, you are feeling like you have just been dipped into some awesome mix of
Prince and Parliament/Funkadelic but, with vibe like it’s all been experienced
through your third eye. Now we are floating around just outside of earth’s
atmosphere the Galaxy Cruise Briefing provides us with some
intergalactic electronic notes with vocals that make us ponder what is about to
happen on our journey.
A Wonder of the Modern Age is a slightly more
laid-back vibe with synths and piano notes. There are plenty of wonderous
things in our modern age with technological advances and so on but, is there
anything more wonderous that watching someone you love just do the things they
do, being themselves. Embellishment continues our journey and see’s
O.Love’s voice bring an almost dreamy quality that perfectly contrasts yet
compliments the track. As you listen you are drawn into this parallel dimension
of electric funk which lifts you up and carries you, floating in an alternate
colourful realisation of space. As you float along the vocals reach into your
mind and create this almost trippy vision of the duality of lives and
everything around us. Where things are not always what they seam and those you
trust often have an ulterior motive for doing or saying certain things. We
venture further into the cosmos with an upbeat extra-terrestrial Rhythm
which is infused with drums, bass, rain sticks and Rhodes piano (played by
Jackson). It is all about the rhythm here and how it makes you feel and move.
We venture beyond our solar system on an electronic,
futuristic jazz vibe and boom bap drums, alongside vocals and a rap from Press
1. All this combines to transport your awareness In To The Parallel
dimensions. Feel free to stay here, especially if you consider you own dimension
and are not happy with what is looking back at you. We spend a short interlude
suspended between one dimension and the next. The music is unplugged with just
a piano to accompany the vocals. This short moment says so much, O.Love says Before
I Leave there is still time to reflect on all those individual times you ponder
on life and who you would like to spend it with. Guitar and drums accompany the
organ notes on Instascam as O.Love looks at the world of social media.
There is a value in keeping touch with friends and family. There is also value
in making new connections but, with all the fun you can experience comes many
pitfalls, especially the addiction of valuing ‘likes’ above all else.
Dumbface hits with a percussion vibes and bass over
the organ notes. The message here seems to reflect the ups and downs of
everyday life. Especially those time we lose control of our conscious thought
when tired and exhausted. We just need to maintain ourselves with poise and
positive focus and not throw it back in one’s face, no matter the situation.
There are times in life where we meet someone and there is that instant energy,
The Spark, between you. These times you just have to act on that impulse
because something special is to come. This is reflected in the energetic mix of
musical notes here from guitars, bells and syth. From one kind of energy to
another. A drum and synth heavy vibe takes us back to the 3-D world where Time
Is Money, working hard and exhausting our mind and bodies. We do this all
for money, a created concept that has no real value, except that which we put
on it…
Pre-Wind has a melodic backdrop of bells as we
realise that noise is a winding mechanism tightening, increasing the tension
for what is to come. Our anticipation is carried forward with that winding
sound alongside drums and guitar as we continue to Wind Up. What we are
winding up to is an increase in sexual tension. The visions created here are x-rated
to the maximum as you and your partner engage in all manor of fore play to increase
the pleasure. That pleasure and the experience of love and making love is
explored further as we groove to some smooth electronic vibes and guitar notes.
Here it is all about taking that love to the next level, a universal experience
that takes you both to the Finish Line.
We end the album with some smooth mix of drums, guitar, and
synth vibes on SMHL. The sound carries us to the moments of true deep
love. When it so strong for that special someone you just want the universe to
do one thing, Send Me Her Love…
For me listening to Future Life Progression echoed the
passion, the energy, and the spirit of Prince. Having been a huge fan of the
purple one for many years, I was truly taken aback at how this album captured
the essence of the late musical genius. I do not know if this was intentional
or not but, it honestly felt spooky, just as if Prince was sat on the shoulder
of O.Love who channelled that musical genius through once more. That might be a
huge statement to make and, if you agree or not, that was what my initial feels
were as I listened, and they have not changed.
You can truly feel O.Love’s love of music here and creating
an album that will uplift you but, at the same time will allow the listener to
transport themselves to different spiritual and emotional experiences each time
they listen.
Although I have mentioned Prince here as a major influence,
in my view, you can easily feel different influences from funk, jazz and soul
to Hip Hop and more modern musical vibes, there is something for everyone to feel
on this album. Through all these multi-genre influences there is still
something that O.Love imprints on this album that is truly his own and for me
it is his passion for creating something different that people can feel on many
levels that speaks out. In a true departure from the DJ that people know him
as, he has reinvented himself and in doing so has created a piece of music that
truly does touch you on many levels.
What can I say except, experience Future Life Progression
for yourself and see where it takes you?
The album is out now and at only a fiver, it's an absolute bargain.
Peace,
Steve.
LINKS
Get the album on Bandcamp Here:
https://olove001.bandcamp.com/album/future-life-progression
