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Jun 06, 2018 Web Exclusive By Michael Watkins

A lot of big ideas are thrown around on Saba’s latest album, Care For Me. So much so that you’d be forgiven for thinking that it was an attempt at 21st Century philosophy—a quick witted series of truths set up to dissect all that is wrong with us in this most modern of times. The irony of feeling so lonely when we couldn’t be more connected, feeling so marginalized when we are at our most (arguably) progressive and tolerant, or feeling so helpless in a time when people appear to be doing a lot more listening than in previous eras.

Whilst you can find evidence for all of this, the truth is that these grandiose ideas are borne out of an immense tragedy that affected Saba so personally last year. In his native Chicago, his cousin Walter Long Jr. (aka dinnerwithjohn) was stabbed to death in what, for all intents and purposes, appears to be an incident reflecting the death of Trayvon Martin. Loss has inspired some of the most emotionally stirring records in music history, whether it be loss through death or loss through someone simply not being there anymore, it is something we can all relate to. Bearing that in mind then, how is it that Saba’s latest can make its listener feel so desperately isolated?

Perhaps it is intentional, for all of the reasons outlined above, but if so, this seems fairly cynical and defeatist on the part of the album’s creator. Featuring collaborations from Kaina, theMIND, and even Chance The Rapper, the mood of Care For Me never transcends beyond the distraught-but-defeated, the loneliest state for anyone to find themselves in, with no hope of getting out into the light again. With that being said, it is an impressive feat for Saba to have created this mood so convincingly, albeit seemingly unintentional. An album of immense emotional heft, Care For Me is not the record to drop the needle unless you’re in the mood for a good ol’ cry. (www.sabapivot.com)

Author rating: 6.5/10