BY JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR
Album cover courtesy of @aidanvghn on Instagram
ALBUM SCORE: 3/5 Stars
Stars courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
“Pretty Boy” by singer-songwriter, producer, and R&B vocalist Aidan Vaughn presents a more relaxed yet emotional experience than his previous record, “Sincerely, Alexander.”
Continuing the journey from “Sincerely, Alexander,” “Pretty Boy” serves as a second set of torch songs, exploring Vaughn’s self-discovery and vulnerability, leading off with “5 am at Lax (Intro).” This brief opening track, lasting just over a minute, sets the album’s theme: unresolved emotions from a push-and-pull relationship. The following track, “Bipolar,” delves deeper into this theme.
“Bipolar” is a reverb-soaked R&B song that takes a gentler approach compared to most of the material on “Sincerely, Alexander.” While it fits the late-night drive vibe of the album, it lacks the compelling emotional moments found in the bridges and hooks of his previous work.
“Mixed Signals” maintains a similar tone, depicting the confusing conversations of a cat-and-mouse relationship or uncommitted lover. This track is one of the more polished songs on the record, with its lo-fi and skeletal appeal reminiscent of tracks like “Forward” by Jordan Ward. Here, Vaughn demonstrates his ability to craft a canorous story within the R&B, lo-fi, moody aesthetic.
“Wish U Were Better” shifts the pace with a different tack. Vaughn’s lower-register vocals come across as moodier and more relaxed.
The interlude on this record simply acts as filler. Some of the interludes on Vaughn’s last two records are more conceptual and include better imagery and storytelling. The song “Lunar Halo interlude,” uses a clever metaphor and “The Feeling of Messing Up (Interlude),” is a pivotal and emotional moment that’s vital to the concept and narrative of “No Name.” I will say that the piano licks on “Real (Interlude)” are a nice touch.
The main highlight of the record, “City Goes Cold,” serves as the album’s most catchy and rhythmic track. While not intentional, the intro to this song reminds me of Michael Jackson’s song “You Rock My World” from his LP “Invisible.” I make this connection because of the liveliness in the bass and the lead four count into the track. Momentum is critical to “City Goes Cold;” Vaughn provides entertaining hooks and dynamic verses that rival some of the best material in “Sincerely, Alexander.”
“The Games We Play” is the emotional peak of the record. Vaughn becomes more patient vocally and even taps into a different vocal register. His satisfying falsetto allows him to create finer vocal phrasing and storytelling.
“Not the Only One” comes across as too stagnant compared to the rest of the album, at times, sounding like a leftover from his previous project.
“Say It” is a touching final song in which Vaughn wishes to return to better times with his lover. His storytelling displays musical vulnerability, even admitting his lover changed him. The outro on this track is a lovely, sentimental and melodic way to finish the record.
“Out of Mind” is fitting as a bonus track, as its tone and style differ from the rest of the album. It sounds like a derivative version of “Attitude (Feat. Charlie Wilson & Cash Cobain)” from Don Toliver’s latest effort.
“Pretty Boy” by Aidan Vaughn offers a heartfelt exploration of emotional turbulence and self-discovery. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of his previous album, “Sincerely, Alexander,” it still showcases Vaughn’s growth as an artist. The album has standout moments, particularly with tracks like “City Goes Cold” and “The Games We Play,” highlighting Vaughn’s talent for creating engaging and emotive R&B music. Despite some weaker tracks and interludes, “Pretty Boy” remains a solid effort, deserving of a listen for its sincere storytelling and moody, late-night vibes.
If one thing is true about “Pretty Boy,” Vaughn delivered his promise in the opening track. That, “Even if it isn’t about you, there’s something for you.”
Favorite track: “City Goes Cold”
Underrated track: “The Games We Play”
Least favorite track: “Out of Mind”
debelljb22@bonaventure.edu
