Mark Ronson, Late Night Feelings | Album Review 💿

Musician and producer Mark Ronson comes back strong on ‘Late Night Feelings,’ his long-awaited follow-up to ‘Uptown Special,’ released in 2015.

“Girls, hit your hallelujah (Woo!) / ‘Cause Uptown Funk gon’ give it to you.” Yeah, Mark Ronson made bank on his Grammy-Award winning gem with Bruno Mars.  Honestly, “Uptown Funk” the record overshadowed Uptown Special, a very good pop, contemporary R&B/soul album.  Ronson typically waits years in between albums, and the wait for Late Night Feelings was four years.  While that’s a while to wait for a musician and producer who’s as brilliant as Ronson is at his craft, the marvelous Late Night Feelings shows us the wait was certainly worthwhile.  The album benefits from terrific female vocalists, catchy songs (particularly the choruses), and thoughtful, well-crafted productions.

“Late Night Feelings”

Intro “Late Night Prelude” sets the colorful, retro, and soulful vibe of Late Night Feelings as a whole.  Specifically, it sets the tone for brilliant, full-length opener ✓ “Late Night Feelings.” “Late Night Feelings” follows in all its illustrious glory, enlisting the vocal services of Lykke Li. The pros seem endless, from those gorgeous, breathy vocals by the Swedish standout, to the grooving, vintage backdrop constructed by Mark Ronson and Picard Brothers.  Adding to the excellence is memorable songwriting, particularly the chorus (“When I get too on ya / And I wanna call ya / With late night feelings.”)

“Late Night Feelings” is indeed just the beginning of a well-rounded pop album by Mark Ronson.  Follow-up ✓ “Find U Again” featuring Grammy-nominated pop singer Camila Cabello is another excellent, decadent piece of ear candy.  Cabello is quite expressive with her vocal performance, particularly the most playful aspects.  As far as the bright sound captured within the production, Ronson co-produces alongside Tame Impala brainchild Kevin Parker, who also co-writes with Cabello, Ronson, and Ilsey Juber.  Cabello is swapped out for King Princess (raised eyebrows with “Pussy is God”) on “Pieces of Us,” another Ronson co-production with Picard Brothers.  The richness of King Princess’ voice is a major selling point, continuing a string of awesome female collaborations. Once more, “Pieces of Us” thrives off its retro sensibilities, groove, and catchy songwriting.

YEBBA

YEBBA headlines tracks five, six, and seven, continuing the superb female vocals that characterize Late Night Feelings overall.  “Knock Knock Knock” clocks in at only about a minute-and-a-half, but its compelling by all means with its blend of jazzy vocals anchored by a throwback soul backdrop.  It’s merely enough to whet the palate, but quite scrumptious.  The only full-length offering of the three cuts arrives via ✓ “Don’t Leave Me Lonely.” YEBBA delivers clear, easy-going, agile vocals on the vocals, packing more of a punch on the chorus.  Her technical abilities – the prowess with which she performs – is awesome.  Once more, the chorus is quite tuneful:

“Don’t you leave me lonely tonight
‘Cause I won’t forgive you (Won’t forgive you)
Don’t you leave lonely tonight
‘Cause I can’t forget you (Can’t forget you)
I toss and turn alone in my bed
When you should be laying here beside me instead
Oh, don’t you leave me lonely tonight
‘Cause I won’t forgive you, forgive you, forgive you this time.”

YEBBA closes out her terrific set with the jazziest joint of them all, “When U Went Away.” Only about two minutes long, she essentially expresses to the audience that despite losing her love, she’s, well, “gonna be alright,” even “If it’s the last thing [she does].”

“Truth”

Late Night Feelings is labeled as a pop album perhaps, but there’s still plenty of soul from start all the way to the finish. “Truth” amplifies the soulful nature of the album, providing it with an undisputed R&B record.  This is obvious from the start musically.  Furthermore, Honorable C.N.O.T.E. co-produces alongside Ronson.  “Truth” brings Grammy-winning R&B musician Alicia Keys and rapper The Last Artful, Dodgr together for another intriguing record.  The Last Artful, Dodgr raps/sings the two verses, while Keys sings on the chorus, post-chorus, bridge, and outro.  Even with something of a low-key Keys guest spot, she’s used effectively, particularly the raspy quality of her voice.

“This world can hurt you / It cuts you deep and leaves a scar / Things fall apart, but nothing breaks like a heart / And nothing breaks like a heart.” “Truth” is great, but the crowning achievement of Late Night Feelings follows with the 2018 promo single ✓ “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” featuring Miley Cyrus.  “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” features some of the beloved, expected Mark Ronson cues – retro, soulful elements.  That said, alongside co-production once more courtesy of Picard Brothers, Ronson gives Cyrus a fitting, folksy, countrified pop sound. Cyrus, who possesses a distinct, robust set of pipes, was made for the neo-outlaw country vibe Ronson assembles dealing with heartbreak. Worth noting, “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” was featured on the playlist, 13 Songs That Address Matters of the Heart.

“True Blue”

On Uptown Special, the ‘long song’ arrived courtesy of Kevin Parker and the hella funky “Daffodils.” On Late Night Feelings, it arrives in the hands of Angel Olsen and ✓ “True Blue.”  The sound of the record masterfully blends pop, retro-pop, and new wave.  The guitars have some bite, the bass line remains robust – quite prominent in the mix, and Olsen brings some attitude, particularly on the profane chorus:

“Fucking around, I’m falling in love
Saying goodbye ‘cause you’re giving it up
All that you were, all that you lost
Who ever thought it came with a cost?
I ran to you, I ran to you
I ran to you and you know why.” 

A run of undeniably terrific songs continues with ✓ “Why Hide” featuring Diana Gordon (formerly Wynter Gordon). “Why Hide” gives Late Night Feelings another pure ‘R&B’ moment – that piano sounds simply marvelous. Gordon’s vocals sound sultry in her lower register on the verses, while she ascends to a more commanding mid/upper register on the chorus.

For the penultimate record, “2 AM,” Mark Ronson taps Lykke Li for a second and final appearance on Late Night Feelings.  Once more, its Mark and Picard Brothers making musical magic.  Is “2 AM” as great as the title track? Perhaps not quite, but it’s another consistent, enjoyable moment by all means.  Lykke Li continues to sound amazing.  Late Night Feelings concludes with arguably the most contemporary record, “Spinning” featuring Ilsey.  The vocals/vocal effects (vocoder) are cool, particularly over the warm backdrop.

Final Thoughts

It took four years to get a new Mark Ronson album, but man oh man, was Late Night Feelings well worth the wait.  No, “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” didn’t have the same commercial effect as “Uptown Funk” (few songs would, honestly), but Late Night Feelings matches the greatness of his previous album, if it doesn’t exceed it overall.  This LP has the total package with fantastic production, memorable songwriting (choruses in particular), and strong vocal performances from a variety of female musicians. Go on and rightfully give Ronson a spot in the winner’s circle possessing one of the best albums of 2019.

✓ Gems: “Late Night Feelings,” “Find U Again,” “Don’t You Leave Me Lonely,” “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart,” “True Blue” & “Why Hide”

Mark Ronson • Late Night Feelings • Sony • Release: 6.21.19

Photo Credit: Sony