Miguel, Told You So | Track Review 🎵

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Eclectic R&B singer-songwriter Miguel returns superbly on the groovy “Told You So,” a promo single from fourth LP, War & Leisure.

After a two-year-plus hiatus, Miguel returns with his fourth studio album, War & Leisure (December 1).  The alternative R&B / urban contemporary singer-songwriter’s previous album, Wildheart, thrived off of sex.  Unfortunately, it didn’t have the same impact as Kaleidoscope Heart, an album that won Miguel a Grammy for Best R&B Song (“Adorn”).  In advance of War & Leisure, as of yet, he’s dropped confirmed singles “Sky Walker” and “Told You So.”

From the start, the groove cooks on “Told You So.” Arguably, this is the grooviest that Miguel has ever sounded.  While this is a danceable urban contemporary joint, it still has the eclecticism we’re accustomed to hearing from him.  While there are synths, the pop-rock guitars still play a big role in the success and overall production approach.  The influence of Prince is loud and clear here.  In other words, even though this sounds fresh in 2017, it’s clear Miguel is an old-soul and that this could’ve hailed from the 1980s.

Vocally, he’s a beast, which is the expectation from a truly gifted, distinct singer.  He’s soulful, commanding, and clearly on autopilot throughout the course of “Told You So.” Furthermore, the lyrics are catchy, particularly on the chorus.  Essentially, ‘all feels right with the world’ on “Told You So.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, Miguel has a hit on his hands with “Told You So.”  It’s well-performed, well-written, and overall, well-rounded.  R&B is a cool as it’s ever been, so “Told You So” may, unfortunately, have small influence commercially.  Nonetheless, contextually, this is a highlight.

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Miguel • War & Leisure • RCA • Release: 12.1.17 

Photo Credit: RCA