Soulful r&b musician Gabriel the Angel is out with what can only be described as a magnum opus of a project in ASCENSION. . Standing at twenty one tracks in length, albeit scattered with skits interspersed amongst the fully fledged pieces, ASCENSION. is a whirlwind of an album that’s got it all. Filled with eclectic styles being used, and genre defying takes on traditional soundscapes, the record’s got everything from modern autotune driven trap music to more morose lo-fi songs to even commercial dance anthems. Opening the record with the eerie and melancholic melody of ‘Sanctuary’, Gabriel enters with a melodic mixture of his own soulful singing as well as a quick fire rap verse.
The vibe is carried over to the more flow switching flurry on ‘Skin n’ Bone where Gabriel the Angel not only showcases his own diversity in delivery, but also his skilfulness in throwing together an array of intriguing and provoking bars. The chorus as well has you repeating that title line again and again. My personal favourites come midway through the record, particularly on the infectious melodies he’s pieced together on ‘What Ever Happened’ and ‘Found My Home’.
Gabriel the Angel has been taking his music and act around for close to eight years now. The 23 year old multi faceted singer-songwriter, artist, and rapper has buckets of talent and is eager to conquer every possible facet of his musical journey. The sky’s the limit.