Jonas – Sweet Dreams Guaranteed – Album Review
Listening to Jonas’ album, Sweet Dreams Guaranteed, feels like stepping out of the rain of mainstream “soul” music and walking into an obscure, Copenhagen pub. Inside you’ll find live music that’s filled to the brim with good lyrics, funky bass lines, and a mean Wurlitzer piano.
Ironically, there’s nothing obscure about Jonas’ music. The founding member of the band Jonz (Sony Music) has found his niche as a solo artist. He has toured Europe, opening for the multi-ethnic hip-hop group Outlandish, as well as R&B sensation John Legend. His solo album is evidence of his lyrical prowess, seasoned vocals and pure musicianship. It’s no wonder why his album is #12 on the National Danish Airplay Chart and destined to break out into the rest of the world.
The musical arrangements caress your ears with analog warmth often lost in the world of digital production. The wurly piano, bass, strings and lead guitar seem to creep in throughout each song like a kid who’s late for dinner. And like most well-mannered kids, all of the music elements “play nice.” There’s no point where you feel the vocals are overpowering the instruments or vice versa.
“Love Letters” paints colorful imagery as Jonas reflects on memories of a love not forgotten and captured on paper. The music puts you in the mind of Eric Benet, which is not surprising since Jonas worked with George Nash, Jr. and Demonte Posey (the production team behind Benet’s U.S. success). Grab your wine and reminisce with Jonas as he softly flexes his ballad vocal muscles.
The smoothness continues with “Things Gotta Change” as Jonas takes a jazzy approach to diversity. His vocals are pure and believable as his style erases all color lines and nationality boundaries. Jonas encourages us to relish in the beautiful aspirations of a global, collective success: “We need to wake up and face responsibilities/Or there’s no way that we’re ever gon’ see that things ‘round here have gotta change.”
In “Put a Spell on Me,” Jonas combines an insanely funky lead guitar with an infectious beat a la hand clap. Once he reels you in, the lyrics take over when he talks of how he “opened up his heart with voodoo magic surgery.” All the while, you have no problem connecting to his story as his vocals remain both true and simple.
Jonas manages to pull off the dance-able, “My Ride” with the help of female accompaniment. His soft voice creates an awkward fit on songs like “More Than Friends” and “Melting into You,” where the beat-heavy tracks scream for a grittier vocal delivery. Even so, Jonas definitely does not have a problem stepping out of the comfort zone of a soul balladeer.
Sweet Dreams Guaranteed, is a powerful blend of songs with a consistent flow and quality lyrics spread over your ears with a fresh vocal tone. Jonas gives a much needed break from the endless storm of mainstream music. He’ll leave you standing in that pub; clothes dried and spirit stirred. Although he channels a lot of Robin Thicke, JT, Eric Benet and even Musiq Soulchild – Jonas has a great way of nestling into your ears with a sound all his own. Highly recommended.
review by Dantrel Robinson aka Favenite… on the web at: favoritenitemare.com
