British singer Tiana Major9 released a new album, November Scorpio. The themes are life, love, and heartbreak.
Side note
The letter E in brackets (E) indicates that the song contains explicit language.
The music is R&B/Soul. The album has a fun 90s vibe. Each song has a dynamic sound, combining old-fashioned R&B with contemporary elements- It’s impressive.
Some songs have remarkable semi-fast beats. The song “Have Ur Way” has a beautiful rhythm that parallels the Spanish flamenco style, reminding me of vacations I had in southern Spain and the memories they left behind. It’s relaxing and joyful. The piece Waikiki has an upbeat energy that reminds me of Hawaiian music. It’s relaxing. It even inspires one to get up and dance with a significant other. It starts with an old-fashioned beat, creating a lovely familiarity. The song Money has an intense, at times sombre, feel. It reminds me of Old-fashioned Soul music combined with contemporary R&B. The composition is intricate and bold. The beat is catchy. The song Fiiighttt starts with an upbeat guitar. During the chorus, it also has an intense beat that represents heartbreak. There’s a bold energy. The composition is dynamic. The song Always (feat. Yebba) has a fantastic beat. It parallels a blend of Destiny’s Child songs, such as Say My Name, Survivor, and Emotion.
Shook One has a bold, fast RAP-style beat combined with techno. In the beginning, the music in the background parallels Moby’s single Extreme Ways from the Jason Bourne franchise. The piano fade-out in the end is a nice touch.
The album features beautiful ballads. GRACE has a fantastic, catchy beat. It features a Destiny’s Child/TLC vibe, blended with meditation-style music. There’s rich, soulful music that calms the soul. The piece Alone features a choppy, intense beat that represents grief and heartbreak. It’s also a symbol of how conflicting emotions arise during this challenging time before finally and courageously moving on. The tune Desire features an old-fashioned R&B sound that parallels Lauryn Hill’s later works (in the late 90s). The song Energy! (feat. Keyon Harrold) reminds me of Destiny’s Child’s first album and Whitney Houston. There’s a soulful R&B sound rich in rhythm and diverse musical styles. The tune Lucid Dream starts with a meditation-style rhythm, transitions boldly to a beat that parallels Mary J. Blige’s 2001 single Family Affair, and then slows down. The composition is impressive in its fantastic tempo changes.
Tiana Major9’s voice is soft, rich, and soulful. She sings with heartfelt passion. She has incredible duets: “Always” (with Yebba) and “Energy!” (with Keyon Harrold). In both cases, the duets are incredible, with the artists’ voices complementing each other.
The lyrics in these songs are poetic. The depth of these tunes is rich and soulful.
The album features some romantic tunes of varying degrees. The song “Have Ur Way” is a passionate, romantic piece full of charm. It has rich language with a smooth, poetic flow. It beautifully shows how love can be both beautiful and intense at the same time. Waikiki is a joyful, positive song full of love and romance. It also teaches the importance of living in the moment/seizing the moment, appreciating one’s surroundings, and loving one’s partner. There’s a great excitement in starting a new adventure, as well as butterflies. Energy! (with Keyon Harrold) features passionate lyrics. The words are from the heart, with simple, smooth poetry. It beautifully describes how love shouldn’t feel complicated, and there’s an amazing energy when it’s the real thing. Lucid Dream is a profound piece about dreaming and the intense emotions, especially when it features the person one is attracted to. The lyrics are passionate, full of powerful, raw dreams.
Other songs address life situations many can relate to, such as inner work and self-compassion. The tune money is about the importance of not being frivolous with money, and it’s also a metaphor for relationships. The message is impactful. The song GRACE is about everyday life, but most importantly, it’s about having faith, hope and positivity. There’s another important detail: express gratitude daily. It’s a beautifully written tune. Alone is about how being alone is better than a loveless marriage. It teaches an important, wise and relatable lesson: be careful when choosing one’s life partner.
Lastly, the record features tunes talking about heartbreak. The song Fiiighttt focuses on knowing when it’s time to move on. It poetically and confidently describes a woman who courageously lets go of a dead-end relationship to move on with her life. The song “Shook One (E)” describes the frustration some people experience in their relationships. It’s expressive and profound. Always (with Yebba) discusses grief and the importance of not letting go of love, especially when it’s true. It also teaches a tough lesson: don’t take anyone for granted. Desire (E) explores heartbreak and, at times, even temptation, possibly driven by an impossible love. It’s a unique piece.
The lyrics are impressive in their poetic power and convey profound emotions.
The album November Scorpio is available.
Side note
Some songs contain coarse language
Listener Discretion Advised
2 songs: Shook One & Desire
