Jahron Brathwaite's second release for Drake's Warner-supported OVO Sound label offers more explicit, low-key R&B that blurs the line between narcotic and drab. Like his first release, PartyNextDoor Two is close to a one-man show with the lone guest appearance courtesy of Drake (on "Recognize," the only cut with a little oomph). There's little in the way of development; it's another set of songs that is predominantly slow and deeply rhythmic, full of lyrics that are nonchalantly frank and boastful. Brathwaite's forte remains slinking backdrops, not songwriting. One chorus rhymes "Lindsey Lohan" with "Lindsey Lohan," the last eight lines of "Options" end with "and shit," and "bad bitch" remains the primary and most flattering description of his targets. As with Brathwaite's debut issued the previous year, this was available only as a digital download and through streaming. ~ Andy Kellman
Rovi
霞がかった音像がボァ~と広がって、そこに繊細な歌がファ~と入ってきたら、数秒でだいたい〈わるくないね!〉と思ってしまうのだから凄い発明だと思う。が、その源流たるドレイクと、彼の率いるOVO軍団は流石にそれ以上だ。彼の2013年作『Nothing Was The Same』で歌っていた21歳、パーティーネクストドア初のフル・アルバム。ホーリー・アザー使いの不穏な冒頭からナイーヴな声が滲み出し、ドゥルー・ヒル、ディスクロージャー、ミッシー、ジニュワインといったネタ選びの〈バランスの良さ〉も常道的な〈センスの良さ〉ではあるものの、全編を独力で手掛けたトラックは週末の退廃よりも週明け直前の静謐な憂鬱を転写したかのようで妙に揺さぶられる。すでに全米R&Bチャート首位を獲得済みの佳作。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ
タワーレコード(vol.373(2014年11月25日発行号)掲載)