11/8/18
11:26 AM
“You are the reason / The reason I sing”
A little over a year since the release of this album, Freudian by Daniel Caesar is still one of my favorite records to this day. I found a music video of the breakout single "Get You” while lazing around on a friends’ couch, it was nice. A couple of hours and few minutes later, I was led to the other singles like “Blessed” and “Japanese Denim” and found myself completely hooked.
Fast-forward to August of 2017 and the ten track album released. Freudian is my favorite album to have dropped last year, up to that point, I don’t think I’ve been stuck on an album that hard in a loooooong while.
Caesar’s carefully written lyrics exude simplicity, but underlays a beauty that is both relatable and dreamlike. Drawing from Gospel roots and biblical influences, Freudian almost feels like a moment in praise, both to his relationships and also to his own sanctuary; he mentions in an interview that music is something that he does for himself, to keep sane. Daniel Caesar has an air of enticing irony about himself and his music— while frequently citing worship and God, as well as biblical references, he himself does not claim to be religious, creating a back and forth between holy and secular. Themes outlined within the album such as love, life, and the self is further elevated by gospel driven sounds merged with R&B elements and vocals. From the organs to worship-like instrumentation heard throughout multiple tracks, the sound adds to the genuine nature of Daniel Caesar’s writing. Taking from divine elements and correlating his childhood memories and teachings in the church into his music, he composes a deeply personal album full of emotion and sentiment. Each song feels like a piece of his past or present converted from experience into musical relics.
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The debut album of the Canadian singer/songwriter brought him much demanded popularity and exposure. I’m still pretty salt about this album not winning the Grammys, but….
Listen to the album below: