Iman Omari has grown from strength to strength. Energy EP propelled him to a level of mainstream appeal and success which resulted in artists such as Isaiah Rashad sampling his music, and Kendrick Lamar using his music for his performance at the Grammy Awards in 2016. His Vibe Tape +++ series released on Vibe Music Collective, embraced diversity in sound through boom bap beats, slow jams and eclectic vocal performances.

It is therefore, unsurprising that this album was highly anticipated by many, including myself. The singles were outstanding during the lead up to his new album IHY, released on Vibe Music Collective. ‘Move Too Fast’ featuring Anna Wise is a standout for me, with a heavy and funky groove. ‘So Real’ features production from Mndsgn as well as Quelle Chris giving his usual dope grimy delivery, and Iman Omari’s distinct and soothing voice. The lyrical themes relate to freedom through spirituality, which is the central message on the centrepiece ‘Heaven’ Javonte, Clark & the Community, Jean Grae and Muhsinah. ‘Totality’ completes the project in an emphatically beautiful and powerful way. Brian Hargrove & Malik Abdul-Rahmaan, finish the album off with a frantic but necessarily chaotic conclusion.

This album genuinely uplifts me. In a spiritual, healthy way. The production on IHY is so incredibly lush, clean and focused. The progressions within each track make this an exciting listen, whilst the features and other producers give this album the sort of subtle diversity it needs to make me want to come back to it again and again and again. It’s still early days, but I see myself having this on repeat for the foreseeable future.

Listen to Iman Omari’s  IHY below via Bandcamp, and make sure you support in any way you can. Released via Vibe Music Collective.