Canadian-bred, LA-based alternative R&B artist Black Atlass impresses on his ultra-moody, falsetto-laden sophomore album, Pain & Pleasure.  

Rising Canadian-bred, LA-based musician Alex Fleming, better known as Black Atlass, returns with his sophomore album, Pain & Pleasure.  Pain & Pleasure marks his first project since signing with XO (co-founded by The Weeknd), a subsidiary of Republic.  Unsurprisingly, Fleming has many vocal similarities to The Weeknd, which shine throughout the course of this brief, sexy, and soulful set.

“Something Real”

“If I can be something, I won’t be yours / Baby, don’t love me, I’ll just fuck it up.” Black Atlass kicks off Pain & Pleasure with a bang on the moody, “Something Real.” Essentially, he characterizes himself as dangerous and bad for her, yet still wants her love, but knows that it won’t pan out.  He’s looking for real love.  On the dramatic, string-filled “Fantasy” he questions the legitimacy of love after falling so hard, so quickly.  “Are you really in love with me? / And do you want my company,” he asks on the chorus, continuing, “Are you just tryna pull this fantasy, your fantasy, your fantasy?”  His falsetto is stellar – understatement.

The love appears to be reckless on title track “Pain & Pleasure.” Co-produced by London on Da Track, the record has a slick, rhythmic, if relatively straightforward, urban contemporary sound. If the assumption is that Black Atlass is looking for something real, one may be skeptical of his decision to ‘save’ a dancer – “I met her on the pole where she danced for me / Yeah, I gave her half a check, never work for free…” The melody of “Shadows” absolutely gorgeous, particularly on the second verse.  Furthermore, Fleming sings with incredible ease, yet showcases magnificent expression. On the chorus, he plans to save her…

“Kinda Like It”

“Kinda Like It” is fueled by its groove, something that “Shadows” lacked.  Set in a minor key and continuing the moody vibes of Pain & Pleasure, Black Atlass confirms he’s enjoying where the relationship is going.  On the first verse, he sings, “She want a ring and my children, yeah / She’s always askin’ for more.” On the second, doubting his fidelity, they make love on the floor, which he proclaims, is “a different kind of love.”  By the second half of the song, things change, or he comes to realize this simply may not work.  “The day you fall in love with me, I’ll break your fuckin’ heart / ‘Cause I’ve been married to the game just way too fuckin’ long,” he sings, but later proclaims, “You’re brokenhearted, but love ain’t gone / You make me feel like the only one.”   

“Feel”

Black Atlass kicks off “Feel” unapologetically: “Not fuckin’ around, babe.” On the sleek, hip-hop driven urban contemporary record, Black Atlass continues the ‘separation’ that commenced on the second half of “Kinda Like It.” “I’m gonna need a time out, baby / But something ain’t right / ‘Cause you don’t wanna feel the way I feel, no, no.”  The abundance of vocal effects stands out on “If They Only Knew.” “If They Only Knew” successfully blends electronic and R&B to form a modern, experimental penultimate record. It’s not the best ‘song’ of Pain & Pleasure, but an alluring listening experience.    

If “If They Only Knew” wasn’t for everyone, “My Life” is more of a standard R&B record.  It’s the better written song as well. While there are still vocal effects in play (reverb chief amongst them), the listener definitely gets less processing. The theme on “My Life” has been explored by numerous artists – how will love mesh with fame?  “What if I can never be there? / What if I would always hide? / What if you were temporary? / Look into my mind.”

Final Thoughts

For those who have never experienced Black Atlass, be prepared to be blown away.  Pain & Pleasure is a terrific set of moody, alt-, electro-tinged R&B, chocked-full of masterfully sweet falsetto.  He’s honest about love and about where his life goes as he chases his dreams of becoming big. Yes, the comparisons to The Weekend aren’t far-fetched – the similarities are pronounced.  That said, Alex Fleming is clearly carving his own path, and it’s a sight to behold. 

Gems: “Something Real,” “Pain & Pleasure,” “Shadows,” “Kinda Like It” & “My Life”

Black Atlass • Pain & Pleasure • XO / Republic • Release: 7.13.18

Photo Credits: XO / Republic