Kaleidoscope Dream
With fizzled record deals and forced image makeovers in his past, a frustrated Miguel Jontel Pimentel took control of his career and creativity on *Kaleidoscope Dream*. As a result, his second album not only sounded utterly singular—a swirling, moody mix of hip-hop, rock, and psychedelic soul—but it also placed the Southern Californian singer in a vanguard of new artists redefining the idea of the male R&B star (see also Frank Ocean, the Weeknd). Though just as sex-obsessed as the smooth lovermen who came before him, Miguel here projects a far more fractured and colorful view of romance tinted by deep self-reflection, hallucinogenic augmentation, and spiritual yearning. All of which tracks for a guy who grew up idolizing artsy types like Prince, Bowie, and Hendrix, but whose voice happens to sound like crushed velvet. To that last point, there’s “Adorn,” a tribute to wholehearted love that evokes Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” and shows just how sweet a Miguel album of simple, throwback R&B would be. But *Kaleidoscope Dream* is not that album—and it’s better for it. The next song, “Don’t Look Back,” lays shuffling ’60s pop over throbbing electro-house as Miguel warns a partner to run before the moon turns him into a womanizing beast. And then comes “Use Me,” where, over a plush blanket of grinding guitar, he cops to being nervous in bed. Whether he’s likening coitus to ballet (“Arch & Point”) or vamping with Alicia Keys over a tumbling drum loop (“Where’s the Fun in Forever”), Miguel proves himself a thrillingly unpredictable host. It’s no wonder this breakthrough LP led to sonic trysts with artists as wide-ranging as Kendrick Lamar, the Chemical Brothers, and Beyoncé.
Following on this three Art Dealer Chic EPs, the young Los Angeles-based R&B singer and songwriter has come into his own. Kaleidoscope Dream is a gem of an album, respectful of tradition, quietly ambitious, and deeply personal.
Following on this three Art Dealer Chic EPs, the young Los Angeles-based R&B singer and songwriter has come into his own. Kaleidoscope Dream is a gem of an album, respectful of tradition, quietly ambitious, and deeply personal.
Released with little fanfare in late 2010 after collecting dust on Jive Records’ shelves for two years, Miguel’s debut album, All I Want Is You, was a stubborn thing. Though its poor initial showing on the charts seemed to affirm the label’s lack of faith in it, the record gradually discovered an audience over the…
Released with little fanfare in late 2010 after collecting dust on Jive Records’ shelves for two years, Miguel’s debut album, All I Want Is You, was a stubborn thing. Though its poor initial showing on the charts seemed to affirm the label’s lack of faith in it, the record gradually discovered an audience over the…
It's hard to fault a young artist for putting out a record that sounds like vintage Prince; it's been too long since Prince himself released one that did just that.
It's hard to fault a young artist for putting out a record that sounds like vintage Prince; it's been too long since Prince himself released one that did just that.
US R&B hitmaker Miguel Pimentel has used his commercial breakthrough as a springboard to a new musical direction, and it's worked, writes <strong>Alex Macpherson</strong>
US R&B hitmaker Miguel Pimentel has used his commercial breakthrough as a springboard to a new musical direction, and it's worked, writes <strong>Alex Macpherson</strong>