Electric Dusk＜限定盤/Translucent Emerald Green Vinyl＞

Leon Thomas began a smooth transition from showbiz kid to all-around musical threat in the early 2010s. Among his first steps were a mixtape for Rostrum Records and a clutch of songs placed on Yours Truly, the chart-topping debut by fellow Victorious star Ariana Grande. Thomas would clock more studio time with Grande and subsequently had a hand in Toni Braxton and mentor Babyfaces "Id Rather Be Broke," Rick Ross and Drakes Grammy-nominated "Gold Roses," and Ella Mais platinum "Not Another Love Song," followed by Top Ten pop hits with Drakes "In the Bible" and "Love All," and SZAs multi-platinum "Snooze." During the rise, Thomas signed a solo deal with Ty Dolla $igns Motown-affiliated EZMNY label, where he makes his proper album debut with Electric Dusk. Whereas Thomas previous solo recordings went in many directions, this highly distilled set rarely deviates from narcotized progressive R&B in soft focus. Most of these songs dont merely sound spaced. When Thomas remarks "Dont know how I got with you" in the chorus of the swirling opener "Slow Down," it seems likely that hes speaking to his lack of memory rather than his modesty. Then again, its the woman hes singing about whose faculties seem most compromised with pills, mushrooms, and champagne, and the situations in bleary, stretched-out hip-hop soul tracks like "X-Rated" and "Socialite" are likewise observational with Thomas subjects more indulgent than himself. Ty joins in with his raspy hook-master take on the same perspective in the woozy and alluring "Love Jones." Further evidence that Thomas has been hanging with Ty follows in the prancing home-wrecker slow jam "Sneak," by no small measure Thomas raunchiest creation yet. The setting is in the afternoon but must be in a boudoir with blackout curtains. He can also dispense with the narratives and drop the Lothario persona to sing his heart out, as he does on "Breaking Point," a prime slice of bluesy soul that takes hold with "Slow dancin in this burning house" and doesnt let up until fade-out. Thomas, no apparent relation to the vanguard jazz singer of the same name, emerges here as a complete artist -- somewhere between BJ the Chicago Kid and Frank Ocean, yet very much in his own lane. ~ Andy Kellman