Velvet – Adam Lambert Album Review
The King of queens is back! Adam Lambert blends his velvet voice to a sound wall of funk, disco and pop rock. It’s been five years after the release of Lambert’s third album “The Original High”. The American Idol heartthrob gained a cult following and praise from modern and older music enthusiasts since 2008. With his charm and powerhouse vocals, Adam was bestowed with the honor of touring with the rock band Queen. Not only that, he became the front man of their joint collaborative effort, Queen + Adam Lambert, doing Freddie Mercury justice.
Since the numerous tours and music teases, Lambert dropped the Velvet EP in 2019, with all songs appearing on today’s full-length LP plus some more. On this project, we see a more playful and confident Lambert adjust to funk, disco and soul influenced pop rock. Lambert also exhibits more vocal control and different ways to challenge his delivery. All of which create a satisfying space for these rock influences. However, the albums does have its faults where points fade out from the new sonic direction, and the record ends on an anti-climactic note. Above all, Lambert is still carving out a space for one of American Idol’s greatest gems.
1. Velvet – Enter this funk laden track. Lambert finds a perfect balance of instruments and room for his golden voice to soar.
2. Superpower – The initial lead single off the Velvet EP. “Superpower” finds Adam playing with his delivery and experimenting with funk inspirations. There’s a dash of Prince and a hell of a lot of energy in this track. The track ends with a arena rock guitar solo with echo’s of Lambert’s personal super power, his voice.
3. Stranger You Are – While embracing a new funk direction, “Stranger You Are” has some hint of folk-rock guitars and includes a healthy touch of horns. An entrancing piece of pop dedicated to flaunting the oddities inside of us.
4. Loverboy – Derived of passion, Lambert laments that he is not another body. Lambert seeks a fiery connection.
5. Roses (with Nile Rodgers) – This track is reminiscing of Adam Lambert past moodier material. Continuing the albums sonic direction, Lambert’s vocal control and delivery are a standout piece of this track. More controlled than his belting numbers. On this track, Adam sings to an emotionally distant lover, and wants to know how real it is.
6. Closer to You – Adam wants to get closer to his lover, whatever way it takes. This piano driven track is classic Lambert; belting vocals and brooding melodies. Sonically, this track is blander than the rest of the initial cuts. But, more space for Adam’s voice is never an issue.
7. Overglow – Standout track for Lambert. IF not the best track on the album. The track is reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s DSOTM with Lambert’s signature bursting choruses. This time around, there is more control in vocal delivery and is sung in a way that builds rousing tension in the verses. A newly minted Adam Lambert signature track.
8. Comin In Hot – Slowing down from the previous track with more funk inflections. This slinky track highlights Lambert’s lust and what he wants his lover to do with him.
9. On the Moon – Lambert is in full slow motion and has us in his gravity. The narcotized lyrics slink along with the slow burn of this tension building track. Lambert inhabits the atmosphere of this track perfectly.
10. Love Don’t –Lambert doesn’t want to give up on a certain love but love itself usually doesn’t stick with Lambert. He wrestles with a decision of what to do next over a very 80’s sounding rock track.
11. Ready to Run – On this sleazy guitar track, Lambert will not settle for less. He’s packing up his things and ready to leave the shackles behind. Whether from a hateful place or a sordid lover, Lambert sets out to free himself.
12. New Eyes – Adam has seen the crisp sky-blue light on another slinkly rock instrumental. Cracking his jaded shell, Lambert sees something more promising in the new eyes of a lover.
13. Feel Something – An atmospheric closing track. Lambert gives himself room to meditate over piano driven chords. Looking to start fresh, Lambert doesn’t want an new lover, but a new rush. The emotional weight builds over the track and Lambert’s all power vocals are supported by a choir of background vocals. The track doesn’t give that satisfying emotional climax, and sonically, it’s noticeably different from the rest of the album. It wasn’t the best track to end on, but it’ notes an emotional journey for Lambert, who wants to break from the same habits that still follow him.
