Gyptian - Hold You (2010)

Artist: Gyptian
Album: Hold You
Genre: Reggae/Lover's Rock/ Dancehall
Release Date: July 20th, 2010
RIYL: Beres Hammond, Everton Blender

Rating: *****

Gyptian's newest effort is a fantastic album that moves effortless about a number of styles. Unlike his prior 2008 release, "I Can Feel Your Pain", all of the production here contains a level of reggae or dancehall influence. The farthest reaching from it's Jamaican roots, is the rolling "Tease Me" which features a synthesized drum line that recalls current hip-hop trends, but regardless of this inclusion, a pounded snare and bass rhythm underlays the entire song in a classic dancehall style. These touches create an extremely contemporary listening experience that still remains distinctly Jamaican. Autotuning is also very tastefully used here, not as a crux (because Gyptian's singing voice is excellent) but as a tool to create interesting effects. This is most apparent on "Call Gyptian" in which an autotuned echoed version of the lyrics follows the original unedited version of the vocals. Autotuning is used as an electronic accent that further deconstructs dancehall music into an digitally textured genre.
The album is also commendable for it's large variety of styles that maintain the listener's interest from start to finish. Some of the songs like "Na Na Na" fall back on a classic reggae rhythm, including soaring guitar solos that don't feel the least bit cheesy. "Tease Me", as mentioned, is in a contemporary dancehall/hip-hop style, while "Leave Us Alone", featuring the Diseases riddim, acts as a throw back to the 90s. The title track "Hold You", featuring a sparse piano rhythm coupled with marching snares, even after becoming an anthem of the summer and hearing it a million times remains excellent if given a fresh listen. Gyptian's emphasis on singing rather than toasting (not that there aren't hints of it here) while including many dancehall rhythms reminds one of Everton Blender's fusion of roots and dancehall of the 90s. Extremely impressive is the dub styled "Where You Belong", featuring an addictive trumpet line and a sharp dub attack that turns instrumental at the end of the 5 minute 30 second song. The album is held together by an overarching lyrical theme of lover's numbers, with few exceptions in the two closing tracks. Much of it's success can be chucked up to the production. This isn't to discredit Gyptian's songwriting or singing which has been great on less enjoyable prior albums, but it is likely at it's best here. Massive album, highly highly recommended.

1. To Be Held [Intro]
2. Beautiful Lady *****
3. Call Gyptian *****
4. All In You ****
   
5. Hold You *****!
6. Nah Let Go *****!
7. Tease Me (Haffi Easy) *****
8. L.U=V0.E [Interlude]
9. Rendezvous *****
   
10. So Much In Love ****
    
11. Na Na Na (A Love Song) *****
    
12. Drive Me Crazy ***
    
13. Where You Belong *****!!
14. Leave Us Alone *****!
15. Selah ****