Blame it on the Youts

By the time Tigg the Author’s Blame it on the Youts gets to track 8, it’s as stupid-smart as K.C. and the Sunshine Band. The song is “Brand New,” and if it doesn’t make you put on your boogie shoes and shake your groove thing and sound your funky horn, you ain’t breathing. And that it’s nearly as vapid as Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines ft. T.I., Pharrell,” but not nearly as exploitive and more derivative of the previously mentioned Junkanoo evangelist than anyone else. But by the time you get to this track, you don’t mind that it’s a bit of just-fun. Because Tigg has given you a big mouthful of cultural, philosophical, and eclectic joys and smarts by then to get to have a bit of fun.

Dude starts with super-speed calypso moves that will send you to the ceiling on “Enough.” If you’re more of a skanker, wait for track #2, “Zulu Gang,” which delivers a dub / ska beat that will cause you to dig holes in your rug. I know this personally, I did this. Look at my fucking rug. It’s a disaster. And that’s on YOU, Tigg the Author. Your fault. You magnificent artist. Dig.

Until you get to “We Ain’t Scared,” which is a dance obligation. Do I need to keep saying this is a dance record? It just is, and it sounds like ska and it sounds like dance, and it sounds Caribbean, and it sounds a little like Prince, Hit-N-Run something.

The Guardian describes this guy as a “Tanzanian-born, London-raised vocalist.” That makes sense. This guy is eclectic and beautiful and all around the world. If you, like me, were addicted to Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby in 1987, you are going to going to nut over Blame It on the Youts. This comparison is not obvious. Until it is.

Go get some headphones and listen to this. It is beautiful.

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