(YorkPedia Editorial):- Chicago, Illinois Jan 14, 2022 (Issuewire.com) - Terry Blade's sophomore album 'Neo Queer' is a raw and honest amalgamation of storytelling, musical ingenuity, and human connection. The album reminds listeners that Terry remains one of the most compelling introspective singer-songwriters of his generation. Themes of Love, Race, and Identity weave in and out of the album while the soundscape morphs between Soul, Jazz, Funk, Hip-Hop, and R&B. Each element is presented with an authenticity that is felt just as much separately as it is holistically. Neo Queer's "floetic" moods, smooth cadences, and infectious arrangements are sure to strike an emotional chord with listeners.
The album opener 'Elephant' fuses Neo Soul chords, lush keys, airy strings, and crisp percussion with a Trap delivery and rapid-fire flow. A direct dig at naysayers and bigots that is both defiant and triumphant, Terry reminds us of why he so easily draws us in. He is somehow ruthlessly sensitive and unapologetic AF at the same time. A master of cohesion, his 'Let It Go' continues the album's mellow mood with a more smoothed-out subtle Soul. He follows it up with 'Same O Love'-an ode to the funkaliciousness of Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield with nods to Bobby Bland and Rufus & Chaka Khan. After a brief intermission, listeners are treated to 'All Ways'-emotive rider music reminiscent of a 70's Soul ballad infused with modern choices to create a timeless sound that is both familiar and futuristic.
Later, 'Moment' slows down the tempo further with ambient keys that reverberate into the spaciousness of the open atmosphere, floating above slow trudging pitched down hi-hats and sharp diluted rim shots. A truly dreamy slow jam that is equally transcendent and trippy. The raw honest soul of 'Silent Treatment (ELEM Version)' perfectly concludes the album and all elements coalesce into lush musical bliss. The heart and emotion on 'Neo Queer' are equally felt in instrumentation and introspection, a true masterpiece of music.
Terry Blade is an award-winning singer-songwriter. A multi-genre artist, his musical work is grounded in his experience as a black queer artist. He has drawn comparisons to artists such as Meshell Ndegeocello, Isaac Hayes, Macy Gray, and Antony and the Johnsons. He was born and raised in Washington, DC, and resides in Chicago, IL. Terry's music has been featured and highlighted by media outlets such as Country Queer, Adobe and Teardrops, Surviving the Golden Age, Indie Top 39, Thisis50, Yellow & Black, SwanoDown, Tinnitist, and Alt77.
