Hassan Farrow is out with his first-ever solo music album, ‘So In Love.’ The Spanish-born, U.S. based singer and writer is carving out a name for himself in the music industry. Based in New York, where many established musicians in the R&B genre rule the music waves, Hassan pulls his head high from the crowd with competing quality music.
The ‘So In Love’ album is an 11-track record that packs a soulful touch and alluring vocals. Armed with years of indulgence in professional music back in High School, with some experience working with Sony Music and Jive Records, Hassan promised something good on this album for pop culture die-hards. Let’s see what is in it for the fans.
The album starts with the song Shelter, a song with compelling, smooth and shattering vibes opening with stadium-like echo tunes that set the stage for what’s coming. The pop melody was typical, and Hassan’s vocals on that rap-like lyrical flow paint a picture of an R&B superstar like Babyface in his prime. “I’ll take you home, take you to shelter…” are part of the captivating lyrics that mold this song into one of commitment and reassurance to lend a helping hand when things aren’t working well. Fact: this song is dope and perfect for an album opener.
So In Love is the next song, which is the album’s title, and I must say, this is a work of art. The hook, the wordplay and the distinct pop tone mirroring the reverb on the soulful tunes create a vivid melody reminisce of the 1990s and early 2000s R&B great hits. Just when I wondered if real music is gone with the makeshift, mumbling-rumbling modern artists we hear every day on the radio, this track reassures with a taste of the oldies. The female vocals rendition takes you back to the era of House Party, Tony Braxton and Mary J Blige and Boyz ll Men. Again, the soundscape is slick and wonderfully well detailed. Indeed, it deserved the album’s title.
On Senseless Love, Hassan delivers another silky ambiance with delicately sophisticated vocals that stretch the song’s perfection to its limits. The song demonstrates the singer’s ability to joggle between rap and soul-like vocals, making the head nod and hands snap in gyrating mode.
The mood changes entirely on ‘I’d Do Anything,’ a track I call ‘the lover’s anthem.’ Listening to this song is like listening to Boyz ll Men. The resemblance in harmony, the cool synth, and soft melody corresponding with the soft rap vocals and hook practically reincarnate Boyz ll Men.
Shake it Up proves that I wasn’t wrong when I said earlier that Hassan has a part of R. Kelly. The soft rap on this track and the tonal and background beat arrangements showcase Hassan’s ability to fuse R&B, blues, and neo-soul and hip-pop characteristics into one super versatile album. This track defines the singer’s creative versatility.
Fantasy Girl carries that unpredictability aspect of Hassan’s creative genius. Just when you think this will be one of those boring, slow pace tracks that usually feature on R&B albums, you get proved wrong as soon as the puzzling instrumentals at the beginning ceased, and that commanding vocals started rapping, not just singing. The way the track progresses with the beat despite that ominously puzzling undertone and occasional high-key echo on the interplay makes you want to “Just Keep the party going” till the lyrics fade. What a masterpiece.
Crazy Beautiful has the heartfelt lyrical drive that constantly confesses a lover’s descent into insanity for beholding the beauty of a lady he craves. The same goes for Sympathy, another soft song with a touch of R&B and blues to the overall vibes. The message behind this song is what makes it stand out.
Lighthouse starts with pulsating beats and scintillating electricalized synths. The lyrics are crystal clear, denoting a message of reassurance and willingness to serve and to be what someone else wants you to be for the better good. In terms of the message passed, this is one of the best songs on the album. If you’re reading this, remember you can be a lighthouse to someone out there that needs your care.
Do You Like starts with a salsa-like beat and accompanies a dancing melody that takes you back to Mexico. Yet again, Hassan marked his versatility in style with a well-arranged ambiance and cross-jingo beats and jazz overdrive.
Overall, this guy is good; the future looks bright.
Link to the album:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6i7zA1l2zhB9NvOR1WpQ8J
Social media links:
https://www.instagram.com/thesoulspotlight/