My introduction to Durand Bernarr was during quarantine. After scrolling on YouTube for hours a day I stumbled across The Terrell Show, and the first video I saw was that of Durand Bernarr. After watching that video, my jaw was on the floor. Never had I heard such ease with which music flowed through someone, and who was naturally witty and entertaining. I fell in love with his music. The spotlight today will focus on his music and reviewing the singles, albums, and EPS that Durand Bernarr has released.
I will not be going over the 2012 Christmas Album because the music that was released from 2014- present is something that needs more focus. We begin in 2014 with A.M. Phone Calls and Below, both singles. In A.M. Phone Calls, there is an early mix of hip-hop that quickly turns into R&B, and his unique tone and masterful vocals are present, however his sound was still new during this time. There is a clear experimentation period compared to his newer music that have a staple sound that is his. Yet, you can hear the use of background vocals which his continues in his newer music, one thing that really stands out, while his sound has changed his stylistic choices are still very selective and that is apparent in this single. Below is a more contrasting single, a slower, soft beat still R&B but much more exact in the placement of the rhythm of the song. His lyrics are also something that should be noted his sense of humor is clear in the A.M. Phone Calls, but in Below there is a much more serious tone that is captivating.
His first album, Sound Check, released in 2016, is a masterpiece. Filled with neo-soul, R&B, Hip-Hop, and his vocals create a one of kind sound. With only seven songs for a total of 25 minutes, after listening I wanted more. The intro does a perfect opening of the album, he uses the background vocals masterfully, with his enticing beats, his introduction is a sound check literally, he even says, “If you think the intro is dope, you haven’t heard nothing yet.” Check Upstairs definitely pays homage to older R&B and Hip-Hope form the 80’s and 90’s, with funk being prevalent in the beats. Next is Around, one of my favorite songs of the last year, it has a sense of humor that is unmatched, a nice Segway into the rest of the album. It opens with his distinct background vocals and harmonies, with low bass leading you into the first verse. He ends the song with that same beginning, low bass, snaps, and his background harmonies, allowing you to really take in the song. Collide seems like a similar song to check upstairs in the genre, but more modern pop influenced. There is a large beat that really guide you through the song and one of the final notes shows his range as a singer. Fly on the Wall, my favorite song by Durand, shows his sense of humor but really displays his vocals and his true style. The influence here feels more jazz, a mix of that a hip-hop with catchy, witty, lyrics. The last two songs Search Party, which is another song similar to Collide and Check Upstairs, and Insufficient, a slow ballad that shows a very different side of the album and nice clean finish.
His EP Unblocked, 2020, was seriously underappreciated, both Unblocked and Sam’s Vibe, had his sound but were funny. They both were very fun to listen to, my favorite lyric is, “You Remain unblocked, so you can see just, how far along I am without you.” It made me feel like I was THE one. My favorite EP to come out of 2019. Face Ass Vibe, from 2020, another comedic yet beautiful song. His tone is so enticing, and his use of genres to create an entertaining album, EP, or single, shows the marks of a true artist.
His newest album Dur& is 13 songs, 47 minutes of another beautifully written, sung, and composed album. Mixxed and Melody introduce the album, that give us his sense of humor again, and his use of harmonies. Even introducing a more flow like, talk-sung, portions that really got my attention. He slows it down when he needs and knows how to keep me wanting to listen more. Next is Stuck, a collab with Ari Lennox, an amazing artist who will be linked below. This is a very vibe-y song, that is nice and low beat, strong vocals from both artists but a great song for a car ride with your windows down. Next we have Company, Curiosity, and Relocate a very 70’s funk/disco influenced song with hints of neo-soul, the combination of the songs back to back to back really got me up and moving. Him is a moving song, that showcased his upper register beautifully with low beat, and had a very Usher vibe. Gratitude is a tribute to his older album, a song that reminded of Collide. Then we have Prepared a mix of his songs from the beginning with his humor in the lyrics but has a low beat like Stuck, nice and soothing, also really having his lower harmonies in the back helped move the song along. Volume, a collab with KAYTRANDA, neo-soul, jazz, and EDM are what I got from this song. A very nice mix of these genres with Durand’s vocals make a groovy yet chill song. Racket, my favorite song from the album, was so well composed, funny, and serious. I think it really showed the whole album, there was a talk-sung portion, soul, jazz, R&B, etc. This song was epitome Durand, a great song with fantastic lyrics and even better vocals. Passport, another collab with Anna Wise, was reminiscent to 2000’s R&B and Anna’s vocals complimented Durand’s nicely. The final song, Summons, another song that showed Durand and his abilities not only lyrically but vocally. His use of harmonies in this song, once again, gave us his signature sound, and was a fun way to end this album.
Durand Bernarr is black man, who from his songs is apart of the LGBTQ+ community, and his music is extraordinary. He is a talent that is so compelling you want to keep listening. After following him for over a year, I can’t wait to see what he does next in the music world and how his sound will impact the realm of music as a whole.
Where to find the people:
Durand Bernarr: https://www.durandbernarr.com
The Terrell Show: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxzOCsfOU-ZVeNYX4K8aj2g
Ari Lennox: http://www.arilennox.com
KAYTRANADA: https://www.kaytranada.com
Anna Wise: https://www.annathewise.com
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