Majid Jordan - The Space Between (2017)

On the title track of Majid Jordan’s The Space Between, singer Majid Al Maskati invites the object of his affection—or the listener, or both—to live in the moment with him. The directive comes at the end of a blissful album that aims to make each song its own event. The Toronto duo has existed in a perpetual state of evolution since rocketing into the spotlight, four years ago, with a feature on Drake’s “Hold On, We’re Going Home.” Their 2014 debut EP, A Place Like This, settled on moody R&B, while their self-titled debut album from last year attempted a balancing act between sullen and bright. Here, on their sophomore LP, Majid Jordan arrive at a sweet spot: their own in-between, a dance-flavored romance uniquely theirs. They’ve created a set that understands the beauty of the journey, no matter the destination. Jordan Ullman’s retro-futuristic productions are built on a foundation of 1980s synth-pop energy and dreamy contemporary effects. It shines consistently throughout The Space Between, and perhaps most so when he does things like remix their proper opening song for an outro. Majid’s vocals take on different auras that change based on the backdrops they’re placed against. On the sexy ballad “You,” the duo soften the music to expose Majid’s tenderness; on “Asleep,” the layers and pulsating beat give his voice edge. The pair have a symbiotic relationship that highlights their gifts while offering both the benefit of versatility. An audio rip of “Gave Your Love Away” has been floating around the internet since June when it was previewed at a Louis Vuitton fashion show (and again on an episode of OVO Radio). But the official version is an early standout on the album, and it was worth the wait. Jordan’s deep basslines and Majid’s atmospheric voice are readymade for dropping the top and heading out on the open road of the prior “Intro.” The same intoxicating groove carries over into “OG Heartthrob”—a fine blend of R&B romance with addictive pop sensibility. This trio of tracks may be one of the year's best opening sequences: the transitions are impeccable, offering a seamless sense of place and mood.

TRACKLIST

1. Intro
2. Gave Your Love Away
3. OG Heartthrob
4. Body Talk
5. Not Ashamed
6. One I Want (feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR)
7. You
8. Phases
9. Asleep
10. What You Do to Me
11. My Imagination (feat. dvsn)
12. The Space Between
13. Outro