SG Lewis, times | Album Review 💿

British DJ, producer, singer and songwriter SG Lewis impresses on his picturesque debut album, times. 

England is in the house, and in a big way! The multitalented 🎙 SG Lewis – DJ, producer, singer, songwriter, and of course, a handsome guy – drops his debut album, 💿 Times.  While Lewis keeps things short and sweet on times (10 tracks, 40 minutes), the results are absolutely fabulous.  I won’t spoil the review, but let’s just say SG assembles some awesome collaborators, does his own awesome work behind the boards, not to mention sings a little bit in the process.  Basically, 2021 needed a fine dance/electronic album and Lewis doesn’t disappoint. 

“Time”

“There was harmony in the music / There was harmony in the behavior of the people / And we had a good time.” Times initiates with a surefire bang. ✅ 🎵 “Time” itself begins with aforementioned, fitting spoken word intro.  Following that tone setting intro, the lit, contemporary disco groove sets in, elevating the spirit and urging those feet to move.  Soon enough, we get the warm, expressive vocals of 🎙 Rhye, which really serves as the cherry on top.  This is an infectious, sexy, and sunny opener for SG Lewis, who produces awesomely alongside 🎛 Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.

The neo-disco continues in all its glory on track two, ✅ 🎵 “Feed the Fire.” Here, SG trades Rhye for 🎙 Lucky Daye.  The R&B standout provides a classy, incredibly soulful performance.  Like the opener, Lewis compels from a production standpoint, with the groove leading the charge.  Additionally, there is sleek keyboard, robust bass, sweet rhythmic guitar, and lush, playful strings.  Also, often underrated on a dance cut is the songwriting.  In this particular case, the writing is impressive – exceeding repetitive lyrics and vagueness.  SG Lewis is two for two, baby!

“Back to Earth” 

With two excellent songs kicking off Times, can Lewis keep the quality on a high level? You bet he can. The head keeps nodding and foot keeps tapping on 🎵 “Back to Earth,” another joint where the production is next level, highlighting that gift that keeps on giving – groove.  On this particular record, Lewis opts for a ‘vibe,’ with the sole lyrics being “Falling, falling back to earth.” It’s his colorful backdrop that is most ear catching.

Musical royalty joins him on ✅ 🎵 “One More” – 🎙 Nile Rodgers (of Chic)! With Rodgers aboard, that means we get some absolutely killer rhythm guitar, very much characteristic of that soulful 70s sound.  As has been the standard, the work behind the boards is one point, courtesy of Lewis, Rodgers, and 🎙 Julian Bunetta. That said, you can’t mention “One More” without highlighting the vocals of SG! Up until this point, he’s left vocal duties to various guests but on “One More,” he blesses us with his own alluring, expressive instrument.  Further amplifying his performance – an infectious chorus you’ll be singing for days and days to come.  The key lyric: “Maybe just stay here for one more song.” SG, you’ve got our undivided attention!

“Heartbreak on the Dancefloor”

Despite killing it on “One More,” SG Lewis focuses on the production once more on 🎵 “Heartbreak on the Dancefloor.”  As to be expected, the backdrop is marvelous, incorporating synth-pop.  And from a vocal perspective, there are no worries whatsoever! He enlists 🎙 Frances, who continues to promote the great aesthetic that is Times.  Like the guests that precede, she wows with a spectacular tone, layering (including harmonies), and overall excellent vocal production surrounding her.  Once more, we get memorable songwriting, specifically the pre-chorus and chorus sections.  

Legendary sound engineer 🎙 Alex Rosner makes another appearance on Times (he voiced the intro on “Time”).  He is the subject of 🎵 “Rosner’s Interlude,” where he compels with his insight about music, taken from an interview.  It definitely sets the tone for another exceptional record, ✅ 🎵 “Chemicals,” which has a strong case for the crowning achievement of the LP.  “Chemicals” is incredibly assertive – that beat is overt and in your face.  Notably, SG Lewis produces alongside Bunetta, as well as 🎛 Chad Hugo (🎛 The Neptunes).  That’s a team right there! In addition to the beat, the canvas, which Lewis paints with his own bright, sexy vocals, is quite splashy – picturesque to the nth degree.   The chorus is absolutely epic!

“But if you stay
We could always blame it on the chemicals
I might be seein’ double but I need you both
Might be seein’ double but I need you both.” 

“Impact”

Times continues its victory lap with its eighth track, ✅ 🎵 “Impact.”  “Impact” maintains the fundamentals established early on but also brings contrast. 🎙 Channel Tres is a big reason for the contrast, with his cool but swagger-laden rhythmic, spoken word vocals.  And who can deny that he’s “the shit” as he proclaims? That said, so is 🎙 Robyn, who soars as she sings, “Baby you move my spirit / You make me hit that high and I like it.”  We like it too – quite impactful!

Every electronic album should have at least one extended number, right? Right! For Lewis, that would be 🎵 “All We Have,” which runs nearly seven minutes.  Yes, that’s an ambitious length, particularly for the penultimate cut, but like every other song, “All We Have” is pretty sweet.  That includes the continual vibrant soundscape by Lewis, as well as top-rate vocals from 🎙 Lastlings.  Part of the reason why “All We Have” runs so long is that Lewis takes his time, never rushing the pacing – letting it ride out if you will.  This is ready made for the night club.

Fittingly, SG Lewis lends his vocals for one final time on the closing cut, ✅ 🎵 “Fall.”  Man, do those pipes make you feel some type of way – just saying! So much of “Fall” feels totally right.  Besides the vocals and various vocal effects, the lyrics are emotional (*love*), with the music complementing such emotions.  I love how dynamic “Fall” grows.  Furthermore, it moves away from the dance and opts for balladry, though not in any stuffy, old fashion! This is the modern ballad, and SG absolutely kills it. 

Final Thoughts 💭 

All in all, Times is a brilliant debut album by SG Lewis.  At a mere 10 tracks and 40 minutes in length, it’s superbly executed in just about every way (vocals, featured guests, production, songwriting).  There’s variety, yet there’s also unity, with much of the album opting for contemporary disco and the influences of the great music of the past. Lewis keeps things interesting, never dwelling too long and ensuring there’s ample contrast.  If there’s one con it’s the nitpick that it would be great to hear this ‘angel’ sing even more on the album. High marks all around for Times from my perspective.  

✅ Gems 💎: “Time,” “Feed the Fire,” “One More Song,” “Chemicals,” “Impact” & “Fall” 

🎙 SG Lewis • 💿 times • 🏷 PMR / Universal Music Operations Limited • 🗓 2.19.21

[📷: PMR / Universal Music Operations Limited]