Vivian Green, I Don’t Know | Track Review 🎵

Underrated R&B artist Vivian Green shines on the reggae-tinged, ‘I Don’t Know,’ the promo single from her sixth LP, VGVI.

Vivian Green is a fantastic musician.  Simply fantastic.  Unfortunately, the neo-soul suffers the fate of so many musicians in R&B – underrated-ness.  R&B as a whole is in an odd place these days, with a selected few artists ‘excelling’ in the mainstream.  Nonetheless, the faithful soldiers march on, regardless of the adversity.  Green impressed on her last album, Vivid, released in 2015.  If promo single “I Don’t Know” is any indication, VGVI should be another satisfying listen.

Surprisingly, “I Don’t Know” does something that usually earns a ‘strike’ personally – it fuses reggae into R&B. Sometimes this works, while at other times, it’s clumsy – lacks the authenticity of legit reggae music.  In the case of Vivian Green, she pulls it off exceptionally well.  The reggae elements truly help to give “I Don’t Know” its infectiousness.  Viv also plays a role in that, delivering emotional, soulful vocals, questioning if she’s in love.  Besides the inclusion of reggae itself, the production work helps to take “I Don’t Know” to the next level.  Soulful, yet chill, the ear candy is real.

The biggest con, as aforementioned, would normally be the reggae-R&B fusion.  That’s not a con in the least here.  Honestly, there’s nothing major. Perhaps “I Don’t Know” doesn’t achieve the same highs as my favorite Vivid song, “I’m Not Broken,” but that’s being nitpicky to the nth degree.

Final Thoughts

Enough rambling! “I Don’t Know” is good – I definitely know that.  Vivian Green continues to be consistent, soulful, and stays on the R&B grind.  “I Don’t Know” even manages to make a fan out of somebody who thinks pop and urban artist overdo the reggae thing.  Kudos.

Vivian Green • VGVI • Make Noise • Release: 10.6.17

Photo Credit: Make Noise