Miguel’s sophmore effort Kaleidoscope Dream is out today, and it features songs both slow and sensual. From the first track, the listener can pick up a “Sexual Feeling” sample on “Adorn“, where he sings affectionately to a lover. The song itself (and its first video) was inspired by a dream. On “Don’t Look Back”, or an R&B crooner, the production accompanies his voice well as it trails from a futuristic chorus beat and into an acoustic drum set in the verses. “Use Me” uses a rock guitar line as Miguel sings about loving on a girl.
The title track, sounds less psychedelic trippy and more R&B trippy, with a thumping base line and Miguel using his higher register through most of the song. “The Thrill” uses more alternative rock elements, and “How Many Drinks?” goes back to early 2000s R&B sounds, except with the space-gun sounds (which I could do with out) and keeps things about sexual intentions under the influence. Things go old school on “Where’s The Fun In Forever” a song that is Miguel’s “YOLO” moment complete with a church-esque break. “Candles In The Sun” has an airy 80s sound as Miguel sings for a call for attention to social issues.
Kaleidoscope Dream is certainly a cycle of songs both eclectic and colorful, but like any R&B album, that’s not without songs about sex. Where the topics get stale, the beats nod-worthy and sample from other songs pretty well.