California was the appropriate name for Reggie Becton’s debut album. On his first set of material in two years, the Maryland native turns in 12 introspective songs that found him focused on evolving as a person since planting his roots in the Golden State.
Becton maintained a steady output since California, highlighted by some standouts such as the abrasive R&B cut “Streets” and the sensually relaxed “Life.”
These two songs alone were enough to let listeners know Becton had in store a diverse eargasmic treat, better known as Sadboy, Vol. 1, his newest project, which is out now.
Becton’s previous release California was not short on heavy-hearted content, but on Sadboy, Vol. 1, he elevates that mode with more sonic vocals and craftier production.
Going on this journey solo, Becton builds on the poetic illustration of Sadboy’s previous tracks, covering his conflicting emotions involving a love gone sour.
In an Instagram post, Becton shared insight on Sadboy. “Often times we look at sadness as negative emotion! With this project, I wanted to embrace and revisit those ‘sad’ experiences to create some of [the] most vulnerable music I could. Sadness shows up in many different ways and I want to create a world that explored them all,” he wrote in a caption.
Becton made good on his transparency promise with Sadboy.
To begin with, the title track offers Becton’s deft response to the hypnotic fog that an interest has lured him in with superficial nothings. Then, having been all in on what they were seemingly growing, he shows off the dynamics of his illuminating voice to get them to be clear about their intentions. But Becton suggests throughout he won’t be in the dark much longer.
“Sadboy” ends with a guitar outro that segues into “Leaves,” a reflective song for which Becton compares its title to a downpour of jaded love foliage in the autumn.
A shining moment of this project is “Self Control,” an atmospheric track loaded with luscious harmonies and a flowing production. Becton sings about a relationship where he’s once again given the keys to his heart to someone.
Picking up on where the love is seemingly headed, Becton pleads that he and his partner do an internal audit and try their best to make what they have left last and work.
On the penultimate track, “Lettin’ Go,” Becton sings about putting the D down one last time for memory’s sake before taking a permanent break from the relationship altogether. It almost appears as Becton gets his lick back for all this person has put him through, even if there is no chance they’ll hit the sheets again. But just as smoothly as he opened the project, he closes it with a woody guitar-backed track that makes you wish he had kept going.
With Sadboy, Vol. 1, Becton refused to limit himself, equally showing growth with his vocals, songwriting, and production choices. Though succinct, this cohesive effort isn’t lean in subject matter that people can relate to.
Give Sadboy, Vol. 1 a shot; it’s a step forward in Becton becoming a durable and consistent artist for years to come.
Listen to Reggie Becton’s new EP Sadboy, Vol. 1 below.