Naomi Cowan launched her full-length album Welcome to Paradise, produced in collaboration with British hitmaker Toddla T, recognized for his work with many artists like Protoje, Kiko Bun, and Metal Pulse. A longtime bridge between reggae, dancehall, and UK bass tradition, Toddla’s contact offers the album a elegant but playful sound, mixing roots, R&B, and fashionable island power.
Following her 2018 breakout Paradise Plum, Naomi now expands her story, from the sweetness of that single to a full exploration of her personal model of paradise. Naomi’s launch timing could have been lower than supreme, with a lot of the reggae world at the moment centered on Exile.
The album opens with “Lovely Ska”, a heavy bass-driven tribute to the foundations of Jamaican music. It nods to Alton Ellis’ Rocksteady and bursts open with Naomi’s cheerful line, “It’s Paradise time once more!” It’s an uplifting entry level that units the temper for the journey forward. In her personal phrases, Naomi invitations listeners into her musical world.
“Lady Respect” follows, a extra uncooked, dancehall-inspired observe paying homage to the ladies of reggae, together with in fact her mom Carlene Davis. The observe carries power and gratitude, one of many album’s extra rooted and message-driven moments.
Like traditional reggae albums, Welcome to Paradise is guided by brief interludes that join the tracks and provides it an old-school storytelling movement. It’s a pleasant contact, one thing we’ve additionally seen Chronixx convey again on his new Exile album. Her work, nonetheless, stands effectively by itself.
The primary collaboration comes with “Model”, a dancehall-infused observe with a hip-hop Casiotone MT-40 form of bassline and a vocal pattern from the dancehall godfather Johnny Osbourne. Whereas some may need hoped for an actual function, the tribute nonetheless provides appeal and a nod to reggae historical past.
“True Lies”, beforehand launched, finds its rightful place right here and stays one of many standout tracks. Naomi’s voice feels most pure and expressive on this one. “Cherry On Prime” continues in that emotional area, touching once more on love and relationships, as does “As much as the Time.” There’s plenty of tenderness throughout the album, maybe a mirrored image of Naomi’s life and perspective at 35.
The second collaboration, “Lonely Love”, groups her with Runkus over a dreamy, hip-hop-driven beat. His movement offers the observe a wanted enhance of power, contrasting properly with Naomi’s mild tone.
“Moments”, led by melancholic horns and a deep bassline, carries a reflective late-night temper, nearly like an interlude earlier than the smooth touchdown of the ultimate track. The closing observe, “Think about,” is a crystal-clear love ballad that lightly guides listeners out of paradise and wraps up the album on a heat, hopeful notice.
At simply over 31 minutes, Welcome to Paradise is a concise and seemingly well-crafted venture, filled with melody, feeling, and beauty. It won’t be an album for everybody, for me it’s manner too lovey dovey, and I is likely to be in a distinct stage in life, but it surely’s a gorgeous reflection of Naomi’s artistry and the place she is correct now. Her voice stays probably the most soothing in fashionable reggae, and listening to her evolve from Paradise Plum to Paradise itself appears like watching an artist develop into her personal.
By Danny Creatah
