Uniqueness - ( Heiress, Azia, Gnarby )
Paradigm Shift (2012)
2012's about to be ripped wide open by Uniqueness, a collective lead by songwriter Heiress with fellow artist / husband Azia and producer Gnarby. Pulling together samples from Depeche Mode's "Blasphemous Rumors" [The Promise Land] and A Tribe Called Quest's "Award Tour" [Conformnia] to start things off, Uniqueness rides a slow prophetic groove directly into a hard-hitting optimistic critique on California's currently ongoing soul-slump.
From "Conformnia" we get a quick break from the madness leading into a groovy off-center beat with "Humble Confidence," showing promising Gnarby's production skills with his nuanced ear. This is where Uniqueness eponymous sound comes out in stride, borrowing techniques from modern ambient producers and an R&B sound straight out of the late 80s. "I used to feel / so defined / by the world / the scattered-mind / looking for substance and I found / a greatness in me so profound," illustrates aptly both the problems with modern life as defined by the powers that be to the layman, only to hop on board the faith train with Christ's love and ride that thing all the way home, shouting "I can do anything!"
"The Olive Tree" demands a few things from the listener: "Keep on your knees," "Humble yourself," and "stay hungry." From there a subtle and beautiful ambient pop beat gets to steppin' and the ear pulls into a beautifully arranged vocal hook that has Heiress bouncing off herself, begging to be listened to again and again.
Hear that? That's something you've never heard before, right? Beats like this are the reason Gnarby is still around makin' beats for Uniqueness. "A Chastened Desire" has a bass hook like none other that draws the mind into a clear hypnotic state, left to ponder the same questions asked by Azia and Heiress-- honest pleas regarding the struggles endured to get to where they are now while acknowledging that it was all on purpose anyways. Backing vocals tear the heart to and fro between misunderstanding purpose and feeling that situations will pan out and resolve so long as you have faith in Christ.
A bassline meanders into the mix, melting into a sloppy groove reminiscent of… Well, nothing that I can think of, actually! Heiress vocals shine here, lilting "It might hurt but it won't hurt a thing," starting off "Intentional Misdirection," only to pick up the pace to double time while Azia rhymes truth: "All through life you'll be critiqued / It's intentional for the meek / Problems bold, problems go / From your heart is where you speak," explaining the all-to-common hater-syndrome found in a post-relational America.
wwwwwWWWWWWWAAAAAUUUHHHH!! is a pretty accurate description of the beginning of "Kvedjur Love," a smooth, lovely-dovey serenade to the new you as born through Christ. Look into a mirror and see the years melt off, feel the love of the Lord and bring yourself back to home-base. Throw your caution to the wind and allow Christ to carry it in his arms.
As a whole piece, the album flows fantastically and when approached with an open heart and mind, you should learn a few things, too. Those who are open to good works will find many uplifting messages and sounds inspired by God Himself and the works He has done in Uniqueness' collective lives. There is pain in these songs but this pain is rebuked with poems of great resolution and redemption brought by the Holy Spirit to Heiress' pen. Uniqueness is gifted, but as they'll tell you, it isn't about them. It's about Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!