[Best Of 2013] Solo Artist/Group: Connan Mockasin
Maybe it’s the blonde feathered hair. Maybe it’s the sleepy eyes. Maybe it’s my somewhat (strong) desire to be back in 1975 with posters of similar looking boys plastered all over pastel walls. Either way, Connan Mockasin has made the cut as my favorite solo artist of the year with his dreamy retreat of a second album.
Mockasin knows how to make me feel sexy. In the way that has me moving my hips and wanting to do that cheesy ‘come hither’ finger curl (but not ironically?). His music possesses a persistent nod to old school funk with a reinvented twist. Layered iridescent vocals swoop in and out like a broken record player- this is a good thing, I promise.
The key to enjoying him is to understand that listening is a group event-his sound is engaging and smooth. Warm sand on a Hawaiian beach as the sun goes down.
It’s hard to imagine that just two years ago Mockasin was producing tracks with space age guitar trail offs, and echo-y vocals that made his lyrics sound as if they were sung in a wet cave- almost hollow.
Nevertheless, his new sound still contains the romanticism I fell in love with in the first album. It’s softer around the edges-a candid, black and white photograph where everyone is smiling. A glowing moment that I don’t want to end.
https://soundcloud.com/connanmockasin/connan-mockasin-im-the-man