Sinkane
Mean Love
Reviewed by: Kelley Galloway
Ahmed Gallab has become part of indie-rock royalty in just the past few years. He can be found contributing to the likes of Yeasayer and Of Montreal, but he’s a soulful musician of his own right. His new album, Mean Love, radiates romance and groovy pop.
Fans of Sinkane will be please with the funky sound of his second studio album. The exotic beats are a tribute to the musician’s Sudanese roots, but Sinkane manages to mix those spicy, exotic beats and pair them with rhythm that you could almost swear you heard on the soundtrack for Shaft. Oh, and we can’t forget about those country-twang-meets-jazz moments. The sound of this album is, in fact, all over the place—but it needs no apologies.
The result of the messiness is somehow seductive. The album plays like a love letter, and Sinkane is the tormented teenager. In the title track, a love-struck Sinkane croons, “I know you’ll leave” and later, “You know I love you, but you’re mean.” He’s overly emotional, but what anguished lover isn’t? “Galley Boys” is another stand out track—a country tune with sweet lyrics urging his lover to make a decision about the future of their relationship (“I don’t know that you’ll ever get yourself together”).
With Mean Love, Sinkane delivers a funky mix of psychedelic 70’s grooves and jazz inspired lyrics. While there is no sound, in particular, that this album can be labeled as, all the tracks seems to work together to create a fun and enthusiastic album.
Rating: Iconic
