Snoh Aalegra - TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES

 

Admittedly I have never heard of Snoh Aalegra's output until now. What evoked intrigue for her third record, 'TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES', was the producers and features attached to the album. The first notable name here is 'No I.D', who has produced instrumentals for the excellent Jay-Z '4:44' record and moments from Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.'

In the lead single for the album, 'LOST YOU', a soothingly sincere Snoh is complemented by No I.D's dreamy instrumental of minimalistic bass and lowkey synths as she sings of an ex-lover she misses dearly. No I.D's fruitful involvement continues on the opening 'INDECISIVE'. Here, Snoh pleasantly and confidently disses a supposedly unfaithful ex-lover over No I.D's chilling hi-hats and synthesisers. Then, later on in the record, No I.D's delivers a blissful piano-driven production that suits a hurt Snoh in the break-up ballad, 'WE DON'T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT.' Sadly, the solid run of tracks from the combined forces of Snoh and No I.D reaches a weak end at 'TASTE.' Not a bad cut, but 'TASTE' does suffer from odd moments of an autotuned Snoh.

The Neptunes also make a worthwhile appearance on the record at 'IN YOUR EYES.' The satisfyingly rattling hi-hats, that catchy vocal sample and Pharell's earworm ad-libs supplement a gracefully charismatic Aalegra in another break-up tune. Snoh continues to ooze charisma in the first instance of her collaborating with Tyler, The Creator, on 'NEON PEACH.' Tyler's production here is captivatingly lively, with beaming synthesisers while also providing a fun rap verse. The second collaboration between Snoh and Tyler, 'IN THE MOMENT', feels like something that could have been part of Tyler's 'Call Me If You Get Lost' album. The track, which is about a couple trying to fix a relationship on the rocks, includes an enjoyable duet between Snoh and Tyler that bleeds chemistry. James Fauntleroy is the last feature to appear on the album, and unfortunately, the results are somewhat underwhelming. It could have been an enthralling duet, but Snoh and James are distant within the track, 'ON MY MIND'. The song itself is fine, but it could have been much more.

In 'TANGERINE DREAM,' goodness me, Snoh took me on a ride on Cloud 9. The synthesisers on this track are a sparkling constellation, fitting for a delightful Snoh recounting being on the same flight with her ex-lover after breaking up. Following "DYING 4 YOUR LOVE", which includes a pleasing layered vocal harmony in the chorus, the album does end with mediocrity in 'SAVE YOURSELF.' 'SAVE YOURSELF' has Snoh ultimately feeling fine after separating from her ex-lover. However, the track itself is sonically uneventful.

'TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES' is a decent blast of euphoric R&B ballads. Snoh is a delightful songstress for most of the record as she thrives off from instrumentals from the likes of No I.D., the Neptunes and Tyler The Creator. However, the album does suffer from slight moments of missed opportunities and absurd vocal melodies. Interested to see where Snoh goes from me, but in the meanwhile, I could explore her prior work. 

Best Track(s): TANGERINE DREAM, NEON PEACH, IN YOUR EYES, LOST YOU. 

7.25/10

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