Album Review

Hendrix Harris – ‘Awakening’ [Album Review]

‘Awakening’ illuminates the identity of Hendrix Harris and his talent via plush blends of R&B and trap, confirming his self-exploration.

Published

11 months ago

05/25/2024

Randy Radic

Hendrix Harris ‘Awakening’ album artwork

Article Views: 1,089

London-based artist Hendrix Harris unveils his new album, Awakening, taking listeners on a sonic voyage through his mind as he muses on thoughts of self, society, relationships, and growth.

Harris explains, “With ‘Awakening,’ I learned how to self-reflect, self-doubt, self-teach. The question is, did I learn how to self-love? It’s 2 am, have a drink of your choosing and immerse yourself in my dark but hopeful, disillusioned yet ambitious world. It is a coming-of-age project, and nothing will ever be the same.”

A multi-faceted singer/rapper, composer, and producer, Harris’ sound fuses aspects of R&EB, soul, and hip-hop, all with the fresh freedom of jazz tinges. His single, “The Hill,” with more than two million streams on Spotify, was featured on the official FIFA 2022 soundtrack alongside artists like Little Simz and Pa Salieu.

Comprising eight tracks, the album opens with the title track, highlighting a floating, slightly melancholy melody that forms a psychedelic-lite, dreamy prelude to the rest of the songs. Soft vocals give the lyrics sensitive, introspective textures.

High points include “Incentive,” with its choir-like intro, followed by gentle gliding harmonics steeped in R&B aromas. Harris displays the range of his voice, from smooth and melodic to a tight, passionate, warbling falsetto.

Hendrix Harris, photo by Johann AUDIFFREN

“The Surge” merges savors of hip-hop and R&B into a voluptuous melody riding a delicious trap-like beat topped by Harris’ evocative vocals backed by rich, velvety harmonies. “Fly” reveals hints of a Latin-laced rhythm, while “Falcons No Ducks” shimmers and shifts harmonically, infusing the tune with a start-stop flow.

“Baggage” ties the album off with an inventive array of tangs, including East Asian pentatonic hues, almost classical surfaces, an R&B sway, and a thumping kick drum.

Awakening illuminates the identity of Hendrix Harris and his talent via plush blends of R&B and trap, confirming his self-exploration.