Luke James, Blow | Track Review 🎵

Grammy-nominated R&B artist Luke James makes sex sound quite poetic on “Blow,” his first single of the new decade, 2020.

Just in case you hadn’t noticed, Luke James released only one album during 2010s.  That one album, his self-titled debut, was a good one, but given the R&B artists musicianship (and undeniable sex appeal), you’d think his output would be much greater.  The total package, James has only mustered up singles post-Luke James, sigh.  After releasing two singles in 2019 (“go girl” and “all of your love”), he’s back with his first single of 2020 – a new decade – “Blow.”

R&B has undoubtedly changed a lot, particularly in the 10s.  The lines were definitely blurred – okay, sketchy example ;).  Anyways, I make that point to say, Luke James is true to the more traditional sound on “blow.” If many songs that are labelled as R&B lack some of the things considered idiomatic of the style, “blow” doesn’t seem the least bit deficient.  That isn’t to say that James delivers a retro-soul track or anything like that, but what it does say that the core of this record is R&B.

There’s plenty to like about “Blow.” First and foremost, Luke James delivers sensational vocals, muck like he did throughout the course of his debut album, and post-debut singles like “Drip”.  The sound, as aforementioned, is R&B through and through, particularly an adult contemporary / neo-soul take on the style.  Thematically, the record encompasses sex, with buzz words including copulate, fucking, kisses, and inside.  While the substance might be questioned in that regard, “blow” actually transcends its sensuous nature, featuring some poetic moments.  Notably, two of the verses conclude with the lyrics, “That what we feel, we don’t control.”  The third most earns the poetic nod:

“We begin to feel, the expansion of our minds
No inhibition, no fear to hide
And our senses are magnified
Sweet ambrosia, your kisses bring me life
Feel my love inside, we enjoy the ride
Until sunrise, that high.”

Final Thoughts 

The skeptics that say R&B is dead haven’t heard “Blow” by Luke James.  This is a well-rounded, unapologetically R&B cut that makes no bones about where it stands.  It’s successful thanks to first rate vocals, a production that hearkens back to old-school without necessarily repeating it, and of course, sensual subject matter. Everyone loves ‘poetic sex,’ right (not the R. Kelly song, of course)?

Luke James • “Blow” • Culture Collective / Howling Nights • Release: 1.10.20

Photo Credit: Culture Collective / Howling Nights