Terry Blade’s work just exudes effortlessly laid back grooves. The soulful singer and rapper from Chicago has a production style that’s layered and exquisite in execution. With lyrical dexterity that illuminates this artist’s compelling storytelling and introspective topical discussions, ‘Neo Queer’ is a revelation of a record. It draws from Blade’s experience as a black and queer artist. It combines and sumptuously synthesizes smooth flows with poetic messaging and lyricism. From the opening track itself, Elephant brings together neo-soul chords, luscious keys, and airy string work all together to the tune of an impressive and fast paced flow that really hits its stride in the chorus.
But amidst all the powerful, personal and political, there’s an underlying production that’s so innately laidback and groovy that you can’t help but be perpetually vibing out to Blade’s effortless style. Some of the most emotive work comes on ‘Eaten Alive’, which opens with a keenly emotive guitar work before a slightly mumbled and muddled vocal performance from Blade breaks through slightly surprisingly amidst the rest of the sonic style. There’s funk infused with so much soul and personal expression throughout this record that you really feel that you’re walking through a life lived. Blade’s penchant as a storyteller is only matched by his craft in arrangement. Each piece of Neo Queer feels distinct, but almost inseparable from its parts. There’s a consistency to the record in its feeling, but a marked difference in the way each one is expressed and delivered.
There’s so much to fall in love with throughout this eclectic and diverse piece. It’s smooth to a fault, laidback and groovy on almost each track even when the topical matter might be far more serious and personal than the beat might give away.