Anderson .Paak: Ventura

Silencing the naysayers.

For many, Anderson .Paak’s previous album Oxnard was a misstep – an overblown, too-rap-heavy, misfire that didn’t deliver on the promise of its predecessor, Malibu.

So a new release only six months later surely had some breathing a sigh of relief. And with Ventura, .Paak is silencing any naysayers.

Here he slides back into the bubbly, smooth-as-honey grooves that originally had heads turning. His croon is back too, with rap verses taking a backseat for a warm, funk-led flavour.

Where Oxnard focused more on sex, Ventura is loved up. It spotlights “grown-up love” and the the not-so-sexy effort needed to make something work long term.

The album’s grooves are elegant and warm – there’s a vintage soul here but with a modern-tinge that ensures nothing feels outdated.

With more grit and less grandeur, Ventura sees Anderson .Paak returning to what he does best, while promising we can’t predict what’ll come next.