Smokey Robinson, How You Make Me Feel | Track Review 🎵

83 years young, Motown icon Smokey Robinson impresses on “How You Make Me Feel,” the second single from Gasms, his first LP in nine years.

“You make me feel like everything’s okay everyday / You make me feel like everything’s alright, every night.” Oh, the feels, 🎙 Smokey Robinson! The iconic Motown legend returns in 2023 with a brand-new album, 💿 Gasms, his first LP in nine years. After impressing with the promo single, 🎵 “If We Don’t Have Each Other”, Smokey comes through ‘one mo gin’ with the enjoyable, feel-good 🎵 “How You Make Me Feel”.

“How You Make Me Feel” commences with piano – both acoustic and electric. Soon enough, the record is anchored by a solid percussive groove that recalls the soul music of old.  Robinson is the star, of course, delivering clear, smooth vocals. Well into his 80s, his tone remains pure and beautiful – once in a lifetime.  Notably, that signature Robinson vibrato is potent.  Beyond a well-rounded performance, “How You Make Me Feel” features solid songwriting.  Lyrically and thematically, it’s all about love – having that special somebody whom you adore.  Musically, the melody is quite tuneful.  The production (Robinson, 🎛 Cory Rooney, and Leon Lacey) marks another selling point.  Some of the best musical touches include the harmonized vocals beneath Smokey’s lead, as well as the strings which complement the keyboard work and groove.

Final Thoughts 💭

All in all, Smokey Robinson remains a force, even at 83 years old. 🎵 “How You Make Me Feel” is a solid, chill adult contemporary R&B joint.  He barely breaks a sweat singing it, and that’s perfectly fine! Is this game changing music from the icon? Of course not! At this point, Mr. Robinson is straight flexing 💪! He has nothing left to prove!

via GIPHY

🎙 Smokey Robinson • 💿 Gasms • 🏷 Smokey Robinson • 🗓 4.28.23

[📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Smokey Robinson; OpenClipart-Vectors, PIRO via Pixabay]