Kissin / huggin / makin’ love & / wakin’ up & / gettin’ high. Fresh Air continues the smoky bedroom R&B sound of Homeshake’s Midnight Snack LP (2015), incorporating more synthesizers and sequenced drums, fewer guitars and sparser arrangements, taking inspiration from a diverse array of acts like Sade, The Band, Broadcast, Prince and Angelo Badalamenti. "Call Me Up" is the record’s most shining product of his R&B influences: rubbery bassline, breezy spa pads; Peter Sagar’s hook is doubled with an incredibly catchy synth lead that reminds me of "Living For The Love Of You," which is sort of a spiritual predecessor. "Wrapping Up," "Khmlwugh," "Every Single Thing," "Fresh Air" and "This Way" are other highlights. I won’t name names, but a lot of these recent white boy R&B projects just stink of trying too hard - overly reliant on tropes, doing weird shit with their voice, copping heavily-rinsed Timbaland sample packs - but Sagar sounds like he’s making honest music from the heart, making it very easy to slip in and get comfy here.

• black vinyl pressing
• includes full color printed insert
• music label: Sinderlyn 2017

reviewed by big kahuna burger 09/2019