
The arena also sported a massive blowup statue commemorating late menswear designer and Drake friend Virgil Abloh.Īnd fans contributed to the spectacle, hurling an assortment of bras onto the stage in what may become one of this tour’s rituals. Having lived-up to the hype of the past two years, the sky is the limit for the group, and it will be intriguing to see what direction they go in next with a heightened profile and following.In the first of two sold-out shows at the venue, Drake’s era-defining pop-rap got a vigorous workout on a big square stage that doubled as a sophisticated video display.ĭrake’s just-launched It’s All a Blur tour squeezes a stadium-sized production into the cozier confines of North American arenas, and Saturday’s two-hour spectacle, staged in the round for 20,000-plus, featured at various points a flying saucer, a floating Peter Pan and Transformer-style, laser-wielding robots. The lyrics and energy keep things constantly engaging and it’s hard not to fall instantly in love with Lusk’s vocals which are just one part of their armoury.
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Ari Balouzian, Jacob Lusk, Ryan Hope are songwriters of the highest order and have phenomenal understanding of how to construct a modern soul and RnB record.Īs a two-part introduction to Gabriels, Angels & Queens is a fascinating, textured listen that fluctuates in tone and pacing but never feels off balance.


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The back stretch of this record is full of magnificent up-tempo pop songs that work wonderfully alongside the darker, moodier edges that found earlier. Some vocalists might struggle to meet the shift in tempo but Jacob Lusk rises to the occasion, as at home in a slow piano and string ballad as he is with an anthemic, chorus-laden pop song. Pt II containing the full 13 tracks helps to contextualise the overall feel of this debut record and the juxtaposition of their sound, balancing slower moments and floor-fillers to perfection. It makes the most of its near- three-minute length a breathless romp that ranks among Gabriels’ most upbeat numbers. ‘Glory’ also has a relentless beat to it, a far cry from some of the record’s more sombre moments and demonstrates the full range of their sound in the process. READ MORE: Messy review | A triumphant genre-spanning debut from Olivia Dean This new version still sounds magnificent and it’s hard not to get your feet tapping along to the groove. To their credit, they have revisited the track here with this new version justifying its existence and showing the group’s evolution over the past two years. The effect is haunting and sure to be a highlight of an already remarkable live show.Ī reworked version of ‘Love and Hate in a Different Time’, which helped launch Gabriels in 2021 offers a marked difference from its original form. ‘We Will Remember’ is a perfect continuation of this, again spotlighting Lusk and stripped-back to mostly strings and piano. ‘Professional’ is a simply gorgeous track, built entirely around Lusk’s vocals and a subtle piano before building into an almost trip-hop groove, showcasing the depth of their sound. Lead single ‘Offering’ immediately comforts any fears fans might have had as to whether the second part of the album would live up to the hype, built around strings, piano and Lusk’s wondrous vocals – a show-stopping way to start a record, emphasising all that makes Gabriels such a standout act.Īs with the first part of the record, the balance between slow, dark ballads and infectious soul grooves stands out, making it an unexpected and layered listen that warrants repeat spins. The three-piece’s sound is incredibly distinctive and recalls the great soul acts of the past, tinged with a dark and moody edge and prominent strings. Singer Jacob Lusk also featured as a standout guest during Elton John’s headline Glastonbury set, further boosting his and the group’s profile. Part 1 was regarded as one of the finest albums of 2022 and so naturally anticipation is high for the second instalment. Neo-soul group Gabriels’ stock has been on the rise for the past 18 months following two rapturously received Glastonbury sets, emerging as one of the must-see live acts and releasing an acclaimed first part to their debut album Angels & Queens in September last year. Gabriels deliver the full gospel, soul, RnB package by adding the second half to their sumptuous debut, Angels & Queens.
