Kamal. Turns Life's Everyday Trouble Into Stirring Pop-R&B in 'so here you are, drowning'
North-West London multi-instrumentalist Kamal. continues to skyrocket on his latest project, so here you are, drowning. Two years after his debut EP, war outside, he shows his evolution with tuneful, breathy conversational vocals delivered calmly and shaped by attention to rhythm and flow across the 10-track mixtape. His lyrics hold a deep realism and truth that make them all the more relatable, speaking fearlessly about romantic relationships, anxiety, and the beauty in the mundane.
so here you are, drowning opens with the previously released "free flow," setting the stage with layered vocals that build toward a head-bopping bass flip. The free-form intro sets the stage with little to no hesitation, hooking us in for what's to come. This leads to the addictive "falling," a rhythmic track with an R&B-esque twist. The singer delivers an intoxicating hook and smooth rolling verses with progressive pop-rock notes.
Other mixtape highlights include the freeing "sex on you," the heart-stopping acoustic stunner "so close," and the goosebump-inducing "crowded places." "better" encapsulates some of the record's most significant themes, specifically the intensity of adolescent love and lust with its minimalist, acoustic guitar-led sonics. Kamal sings, "I keep a place in my heart / You know me better/ I see your face in the dark… It don't get much better than this."
"essential" and "white wine" are the last of the pre-released offerings on the project, with the former being the guitar-led song produced by J Moon. Kamal. juxtaposes soft singing with intermittent striking strums and raw lyrics as he explores a breakup, with "white wine" acting as a seamless transition, a self-described memorial to a relationship.
As listeners make their way toward the end of the mixtape, Kamal. plays us out with a punchy pick, "leave me alone." It's a slinky, warped pop tune that effortlessly leads to the finale, "drown." The body of work's closer brings us full circle, nodding toward the project's title. Somber in nature, the multi-million streaming artist is introspective and self-aware. His storytelling abilities shine here as he chronicles getting swept up and "drowning" without his safe haven.
so here you are, drowning is an expertly tranquil listen, enthralled with honey-toned vocals and honest, passionate lyricism. It does everything it's meant to, depicting growth, reality, and romance with a youthful perspective that avoids flailing into juvenile territory. so here you are, drowning is an emotion-evoking record that leaves on for what else is to come from the Billie Eilish co-signed rising star.
Listen to so here you are, drowning below:
