Can We Fall in Love

前作『The VIII』に続いてトラヴィス・セイルズの全面プロデュースで、オハイオ生まれの本格派R&Bシンガーが5年ぶりのアルバム『Can We Fall in Love』をリリース。

In a way, Can We Fall in Love is both late and well-timed. It follows Avants previous album by five years but coincides with the 20th anniversary of My Thoughts, his platinum debut. Considering the time that passed between 2015s The VIII and this -- easily the longest break of Avants career -- a significant shift in direction would not have been all that surprising, but the singer instead continues his writing and production partnership with Travis Sayles. Even when some trap-styled production touches and light dancehall rhythms are incorporated, Avant never seems out of place or desperate to keep up with the younger generation. Hes as comfortable in those contemporary modes as he is in old-school and straight-ahead adult R&B settings. Theres some heartache -- he pleads for his lover to return in the opener, calls her out in Live a Lie, and yearns patiently in the finale -- but much of whats between those tracks illustrates some fully realized intimacy, peaking around the middle with Take It Slow (graced by Robert Glaspers piano) and the glistening Edible (not nearly as crass as the title indicates). Avants singing is more restrained and direct than ever, like hes conversing eye to eye, across a table or in a bedroom, rarely letting loose with his head tilted back and his eyes closed. He remains true to himself while delivering the sophisticated yet uncomplicated kind of R&B his longtime listeners can appreciate. ~ Andy Kellman

近年もジャクイースやドレイクにネタ使用される00年代R&Bの代表格として、良い齢の重ね方をしているオハイオの名シンガー。5年ぶりのアルバムは前作『The VIII』に続いてトラヴィス・セイルズの全面プロデュースで、正統派のスロウからミゲル風の"Irreplaceable"、サム・クック風(というか……)の"Not Gone Lose"などをロマンティックに披露する。ミックスはもちろんピーター・モクラン。〈あの味わい〉を好む人にはたまらん逸品のはず。
bounce (C)出嶌孝次