This album starts in the most subtle way:
Keegan James' voice accompanied solely by some very delicate keys. As James croons, "It sounds cliché to say I feel this way," I was immediately transported into the song, with just a couple of words and a haunting chord or two on the keyboard. I knew that this was going to be an emotional song. That's not to say that all of the songs on Keegan James' first full-length album tug at the heart strings, but the ones that do, really do. Take track two, "Fun." for instance. The song begins with a cinematic arrangement of keys, strings, and horns, before settling into a melancholic melody that reveals the sardonic nature of the song's title. "I'm not surprised, but I'm still sad," Keegan laments on this sorrowful, yet somehow confident track. It may sound like a break up song, but what lies underneath is one about finding strength in loss and the power to move on and grow from the experience.
Not every song on All He Wants melancholic, though. "Everybody Plays the Fool," for example, has a bouncy,
jaunty synth driving the track. Reminiscent of an early-80s new wave track, this one is once again elevated by the composition. James himself is
responsible for not only the arrangement, instrumentation, and vocals, but he also self-produced this album as well. Perhaps the most stunning use of
composition is the lack thereof. The title track, "All He Wants," begins as if slowly building up to a
crescendo, but then simply ends about 30 seconds in. For a moment, I thought there was a technical issue as I sat in silence.
Then as I restarted the track, I noticed the length of the track was just thirty three seconds. As 1 listened again, it hit me that the abrupt end to the song and
the ringing piano note drifting into silence had to be intentionally sending a message. Perhaps like a door slam, or ending a call mid-sentence. I felt a finality in the silence, that said, "I'm moving on without you." "All He Wants," then rolls into what may be my favorite song on the album, "Nostalgia." This one starts very somber with a string arrangement hinting at just a bit of whimsy, before going into a full-band sound, complete with full drum kit and even some horns. Strong, confident and reflective, "Nostalgia"
has a narrative of self-worth, self-acceptance and love that really resonated with me. We need more music and art to have the same vulnerability and honesty on display in James' first album. Another stand out is "Diamonds and Pearls," which closes out the album. Upbeat and bold, it may be the most robust song on the record. The upbeat swing combined with James' soaring vocals serve as not only a perfect way to end the album, but also the perfect gateway to re-listen to it. Which is exactly what I did. Bravo, Keegan. You nailed it.
All He Wants is available now on all major streaming platforms. •