“Listen” is the most recent Tim Bowman Jr. release and #listen is exactly what I did when I returned to the country from my travels abroad. Released last Friday, the album is an easy listen that captures you with #grayt vocals, #grayt content, and #grayt production.
I rarely rock with male vocalists. There has to be something special about an individual for me to connect with the musical collective of a male vocalist (No, I’m not an esteemed musical critic or analyst, just acknowledging my struggle with connecting with male singers). Tim Bowman Jr’s “Listen” thoroughly impressed me, five reasons and/or songs on why I listened to this 15-track musical rendering and you should too:
1. Instrumentation: Produced by renowned producers, “Listen” comes through with high quality production and crossover arrangements. Above all else, Listen is a grayt piece of work because of its instrumentation–the use of instruments connects the listener to an authentic musical experience.
2. Applicability: On some songs, I was sitting, unpacking my clothes thinking, “Wait, is he talking about God or is he talking about his wife?” I’m a sucker for an ambiguous Gospel song that can have various meanings outside of the four walls of a church and has the ability to be representative of more than a simple Gospel offering. I appreciate the applicability of many of the songs to different aspects in life or different situations listeners may encounter.
3. I Won (Track 13): You know those songs that make you hate summer heat and simultaneously crave an ice cold lemonade that would make everything alright. This is one of those songs, evoking summery vibes; yet, the song maintains a message that would carry you throughout the heat of your struggles and the troubles you may endure. You’ll finish this song, confident in the fact that you will win whatever you’re fighting.
4. Fix Me (Track 14): Following “I Won,” Bowman’s “Fix Me” seemingly modernizes the Gospel quartet flavor that frequented the radio after church on Sundays when I was younger. As a plea to be fixed by Jesus, I can easily see the song being performed at a Country Music Award Show. Whether this song takes you to the same Vounty Music Award show it took me, you will appreciate the way Bowman uses his tone to infuse a youthfulness and maturity into whatever musical styling he chooses to approach.
5. Strength (Track 5): Gospel Funk, Funk You Up! *Bruno Mars voice*. This funk, disco, 80’s Zapp-tinged arrangement really captured me. With an added rap verse, the song further cements Bowman’s ability to “contemporarize” and curate songs that transcend the genres popular in the past to genres with respected relevancy today.
When you do listen to Listen by Tim Bowman Jr, be aware that you will experience a journey of love and a journey of return towards a God, deemed powerful, loving, and merciful.
