![smino noir smino noir](https://static.highsnobiety.com/thumbor/gUUFgW-cerpyuX2_Vf0xBhryUbg=/720x432/static.highsnobiety.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10171646/smino-featured.jpg)
Also on NOIR we have Sango and LBoogie as collaborators. On the production Monte Booker continues to shine. GOOD Music’s Valee joins Smino for “KRUSHED ICE”, a short but sweet bop. Dreezy steps in for “FENTY SEX” and it is the kinda song you just vibe along to. With assists from fellow Zer0 Fatigue family Bari, Jay2, and Ravyn Lenae you get wall to wall originality and depth. There is so much soul and funk packed into this 18 track project. I don’t have much else to say other than that it is simply time to hop on the wave. His new take on rap expressed through exceptional artistic qualities makes this album one to remember.Īlthough new Smino listeners may be unimpressed by the uncanny composition of different types of music, the stylistic choices Smino made represents the mastery of his understanding of hip-hop and the desire to express his own inventiveness while simply having fun.NOIR is the follow up album to Blk Swn from St. As NOIR is only Smino’s second album, his stylistic development and pivot from his previous music differentiates him as more than a one-hit wonder. Smino enters a new field of hip-hop, the whole album playful to the point where you can imagine him having fun while making this music. The eclectic sounds, also thanks to Monte Booker, makes a fun and detailed playlist. The originality of this album distinguishes Smino from so many others. The versatility of his lyrics are also distinct, as he tells short stories of little importance yet cultivated and interesting rhythmic landscape. He changes his tone from feminine to masculine between songs, representing his ability to play on different emotions and create a variety of atmospheres. While he keeps a cool, not-so-serious vibe throughout the album, Smino still incorporates impressive lyricism through his bars. Smino’s individuality separates him from other hip-hop artists as he combines multiple genres and sounds to create a new space in the genre. While he has this amazing voice, he doesn’t stop there, using adlibs, shrieks and strange words to make it even more dynamic and inventive.
Smino noir professional#
Smino’s vocals in NOIR are something only a professional could achieve the dexterity of notes he hits is truly exceptional. “TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD” is a simple and fun approach to his story of a girl with high energy and bounce of the drums that alludes to an earlier Smino song, “Anita.” Despite his musical progression with this album, Smino includes songs reminiscent of his debut LP blkswn with the smooth funky tunes found in “KOVERT” and “MERLOT.” What stuck out to me were the cuts “TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD” and “KRUSHED ICE,” which offer sounds that are dissimilar from Smino’s earlier music. Songs such as “KLINK” and “PIZANO” introduce high energy sounds while songs such as “MF GROOVE,” “SPINZ” and “MERLOT” slow it back down and make you want to listen on repeat for hours. As you listen to the album’s songs one by one, each has a completely different sound but the amalgamation of all creates a triumphant piece of art. Smino represents creativity in its essence. While Monte Booker is the genius behind the beats, Smino further proves to be the perfect match with his bright vocals and impressive lyricism. His very artistic approach to music distinguishes his music type from that of others in the genre.
![smino noir smino noir](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/ac/5acb4bb2-9ce6-5b0b-82c5-98ef93c68cf2/5c11232fb39c3.image.jpg)
Smino successfully tackles a different niche of hip-hop by making it quirky yet smooth with his soft vocals combined with his raspy sounds. Louis-born rapper collaborated with his usual producer, Monte Booker, on this project and created a masterpiece embodied by casual yet fun tunes. However, they still flowed together and the stylistic choices created a natural movement between each song. The distinct sounds of both the beat and the lyrics of each song were atypical, especially as one piece. However, the lack of cohesiveness of the album was surprisingly addictive.
![smino noir smino noir](https://66.media.tumblr.com/af2e23c6f50ea53b833fbf3fe8568aaa/e535cbf667f214f0-c9/s1280x1920/a903f3be562898ad9ed911f1eac1beef1c5875d8.jpg)
The first time I listened to the album I was almost confused by its idiosyncratic collection of songs. Smino continues to exemplify his playful tone with his latest album NOIR and every time I listen to a song I reminisce about the memory of him bouncing around the stage and illuminating his audience through his perplexing voice. Both times he has been nothing short of extremely fun – jumping around stage with his quirky sound and dancing to his intensely upbeat music. I’ve seen Smino live twice, once even in the Hub at UCSB last year.