★★★½
A smooth blend of eclectic influences, Raury’sAll We Needis not bound by mere genre or category.
This album is rich with elements from all over the musical spectrum and mature lyrical content well beyond his years, and a solid full-length attempt, despite an appearance of quantity over quality.
The world music flavours of ‘God’s Whisper’, the breakthrough track for which Raury is renowned, appear intermittently throughout. ‘Revolution’, like the single ‘Devil’s Whisper’, revels in tribal ceremony with percussion-heavy rhythms and gospel chants. Progressing from the Atlanta musician’s name-making EP Indigo Child, All We Need provides a more diverse tracklisting, exploring the possibilities of experimental hip hop with tracks like ‘Forbidden Knowledge’ and ‘Peace Prevail’. The only issue is there is just too much filler. Still, songs like ‘Her’ manage to progress to a pay-off with polyrhythmic drums and swirling electronics, all neatly assembled and uniform.
All We Need spends a fair amount of time in a dreamlike state, off with the pixies. Otherwise, the album contains carefully executed arrangements and luscious compositions thriving with musical diversity.
From lyrically abrasive hip hop to deep chill folk, All We Need is an ideal introduction to a master of conglomeration.
Raury’sAll We Needis out through Sony.
