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10/12/2020, 3:45pm

Review: Aloe Blacc releases an album that feels like the soundtrack to what it means to be human

"All Love Everything" is an album that's truly worthy of your ear and your heart. It feels like an RNB album, while also reminding us that an album doesn't have to be defined by a genre.

By Tom Cramer
Review: Aloe Blacc releases an album that feels like the soundtrack to what it means to be human

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Aloe Blacc is back with his new album “All Love Everything” and it’s full of songs that reflect the different seasons of your life.  This album might feel like the soundtrack to a movie, but it might also just be the soundtrack to what it feels like to be human and experience the full range of emotions that comes with that- our shared human condition. This album celebrates that spirit, and helps uplift it.

We begin this journey of love with the track “Family.”  It starts this album off with a message of being there for each other as a family unit.  It’s energetic, sweet, and it shows that this album is all about connection.  

“And on my dark days,” Blacc sings. “My sad and broken heart days. You’re all I need. And through your worst times. Together we’ll be alright. You’re safe here with me.”

Blacc mostly sings about connection with others on this album, but he delivers a spectacular introspective and inspiring track with “My Way.”  

“So put me down and criticize me with your lies and parody,” Blacc sings. “In the darkness I don’t hide ‘cause I got pride that gives me clarity. I still wake up in the morning with the vision of a better life. You see the option of defeat is just not written in my story.”  

Blacc made a piece of work that feels cinematic. The songs seem perfectly suited for helping a film tell an emotional story.  Music can be storytelling on its own, but if I was working on a movie in Hollywood and needed music for my film, I would have this album on repeat.  

A track that will be played at weddings for years to come is the song “I Do.” This piano ballad is touching and his vocal makes this song soar above the clouds.  

“Oh I lived my whole life,” Blacc sings. “Thinking I knew how my heart could handle love. Love I thought I knew.  Everything before us was stretching out my heart just. So it could be big enough to beat for two.”  

“Corner” is one of my favorite tracks.  Anthems and ballads are my go-to type of songs. It's about being there for someone when they are struggling.  

“Wherever you go,” sings Blacc. “And whether you’re high or low.  I’ll be there for you. I’m in your corner. If you’re far from home.  And baby, you find that you’re on your own. I’ll be there for you. I’m in your corner.”  

While “Corner” may be one of my favorite songs, one song to not miss is the final song “Harvard.” It feels influenced by many different genres, while also feeling like it belongs to no genre at all. It’s just a story set to music and it’s beautiful.  

“I ain’t been to Harvard,” Blacc sings. “And I ain’t got no big degree. Everything I know I learned it on these bitter streets.  And I can’t afford the good life.  But only real love comes for free.  And some days my head’s up in the clouds. But I’m allowed to dream.”

This album transports me to a dreamy place at times, yet it still feels so connected to real life. It proves art can feel freeing and fun, yet also feel rooted in reality.  

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