When your mentor (who happens to be one of the most powerful and influential men in the music biz) declares that you have “the potential to be one of the most important artists of your generation” live to millions at the MTV Europe Music Awards there’s going to be a fair bit of pressure for your album to deliver. But when your mentor and executive producer is the hip-hop/R&B megastar Kanye West, you must know your in good hands, right…?The Brummie-born singer/songwriter Mr Hudson spent 18 months crafting this very personal album, which in fact documents the break up of his own relationship. Months jetting between recording at Kanye’s deluxe pad in Hawaii and his own scruffy, rented room above a pub in Camden, has impacted the overall feel and sound of the album. You can be sure it has the sleek and polished production that goes hand in hand when working with West, but it also has a raw, organic sound due to the honest and open songwriting displayed by Hudson. It’s this that elevates the album from being another electro-tinged, formulatic parade of possible hit singles to an album with depth and bags of personality.
Hudson has certainly put his feelings out there for all to see - each and every track charters the confusion and assortment of emotion felt after a break-up. Opener Supernova which features West is the most commercial and upbeat of all the tracks. However, it’s the more understated tracks further in that really catch your attention - Instant Messenger is a moody, heartfelt ballad which captures the isolation and sadness felt when your world implodes. Its use of slow drums, synthy beats and piano combine in creating an atmospheric-fuelled track. There Will Be Tears samples the controversial autotune to give Hudson a smooth bassy voice mixed with a quick electro backbeat which led to Zane Lowe proclaiming on Radio 1 that it is ‘the hottest track in the world right now’. The album is counterbalanced by the funkier, hip-hop and pop-inspired songs including Learning To Live, which is a full on and angry response to his former flame and a song that you can’t help but get swept up in with its shouty, crowd-pleasing chorus.
There’s no doubt that Mr Hudson has displayed talent in songwriting, producing an eclectic selection of lush songs - his ability to connect with his listener is entirely down to the rare, honest quality of his lyrics. However, it’s the production that steals the show, with every track nurtured to tell its own story in a different way to the next. The further beauty of Straight No Chaser is its ability to wear its 80s and 90s inspirations on its sleeve but also still sound fresh and entirely current.
Mr Hudson’s album Straight No Chaser is out today.
(Philippa Proctor)
