Music: Skinny Pelembe – Dreaming Is Dead Now

South Africa born, UK-raised singer/songwriter Skinny Pelembe comes through with a brand new album titled Dreaming Is Dead Now. It is his debut album on Brownswood Recordings, and it definitely exceeds all of my expectations. It is lush, layered and textured with guitar leads, tight basslines as well as his gorgeous, low and soulful vocal melodies. Skinny Pelembe was really able to captures my interest and imagination for duration of this album.

It is tracks like “No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish” and “Dreaming Is Dead Now” that really bring a hypnotic tone to the album. With heavy basslines and rock and reggae inspired grooves, Skinny Pelembe is able to meander through the soundscapes, bringing heaps of passion and soul vocally to the music. The more upbeat tone of “Spit/Swallow” almost sounds psychedelic with the sweet, fuzzy guitar leads and the subtle synths behind the drumming and bassline of the track. It stands as one of the highlights of the album to me. “Ten Four, Good Friend,” feels very King Krule inspired with its moody melody and the fuzzy, hazy guitar leads on the latter end of the track that bring this hypnotic and intense energy. “I’ll Be on Your Mind” has a hypnotic beat as well, with stellar guitar leads that bring a gorgeous rhythm. Inspired heavily by hip-hop, it is clear that Skinny Pelembe wears his influences on his sleeve, creating intriguing music that I absolutely love.

Listen to Skinny Pelembe’s debut album Dreaming Is Dead Now below via Bandcamp and don’t forget to support! Released via Brownswood Recordings.