Album Review: Shamir - Ratchet

Destined to completely dominate dancefloors, Shamir’s debut is an energetic explosion of irresistible party-starting beats.

Just 20 years old, Shamir’s tunes capture a reckless, youthful energy that offers listeners a joyously affirming good time. Serving up an update on Fresh Prince of Bel Air cuteness, Shamir exists somewhere between the house of Chicago and the disco of New York. His androgynous vocals situate him within a triangle defined by Sylvester, Prince and Michael Jackson. Shamir kind of picks up where Azari & III left off but it would be disappointing if he didn’t generate the same kind of excitement MIA did when Piracy Funds Terrorism hit the streets.

Comparisons to Hercules & Love Affair seem inevitable, but Shamir is less of a shrieking disco diva and a whole lot more funky. Demonstrating his versatility, Shamir seamlessly works minimal techno soul, gospel and R&B into a vibrant life-affirming mix with a sweet rubbery bounce. He raps On The Regular with plenty of streetwise attitude in a way that recalls Azealia Banks, but he’s definitely not a Le1f wannabe. Shamir goes further, dealing out more soulful vocals on cuts like Youth, which blossoms into euphoric gospel. Even when Shamir gets reflective, on Darker, his cracked falsetto hits hopeful, optimistic notes that shine a light on difficult times. Shamir’s instantly likeable debut proudly aims to show us a blinding good time. After all, life is for living and not drifting away to all the mellow fluff that’s currently passing for popular music.