In My Concert Bag - Track 10: Padon Suber
DJ Marq and I went to Houston to support our dear friend Padon Suber at Sofar Houston. Check out Marq’s latest podcast of our adventure.
You can also read my Food + Travel Review of the trip HERE.
ALBUM REVIEW: Padon Suber - At Night
By Jessica Klausing
Padon Suber's latest album, At Night, showcases his mastery in contemporary R&B. The album guides listeners through an electronic nightlife experience filled with irresistible EDM beats, complemented by Suber's vocals effortlessly transitioning between smooth, soulful tones and passionate highs.
The opening track, "Different," highlights Padon Suber's Neosoul swagger, narrating a charming encounter where a girl appreciates his unique qualities. Following this meet-cute vibe, "Flirt" features a catchy chorus celebrating the joy of flirting: "I like to flirt, she likes to flirt, we like to flirt, so we just gonna flirt."
Naturally, no Padon Suber album would be complete without some sex appeal. "Confession" exudes a sultry feel, blending a fiery Spanish guitar with an electronic soundscape, echoing the lyrical style reminiscent of the 2010s Hip Hop era, which Suber fondly refers to as "chasing love in the club."
"Down Too" continues the upbeat nightclub ambiance, enticing listeners into a hypnotic melody. Originally titled "Trap Soul," the song's energetic composition encourages listeners to embrace freedom and take risks.
A standout track, "Run the City," deserves special mention for its dreamy harmonies and mesmerizing melody, evoking a sense of liberated freedom. The album concludes with “Runway,” turning up the heat with vibrant calypso guitar gusto.
At Night envelops listeners in ethereal soundscapes, with layered vocals and experimental electronics capturing the essence of falling in love. Throughout the album, the Spanish guitar adds a seductive allure or an energetic pulse to Suber's vibrant R&B sound. For R&B enthusiasts seeking a blend of timeless allure and contemporary flair, Padon Suber's music is a must-listen!
Recommended Tracks: “Confession,” “Down Too,” and “Run the City.”
ALBUM REVIEW: Padon Suber - Love Daze
By Jessica Klausing
Padon Suber has released his highly anticipated sophomore album, Love Daze. Get ready for a hypnotic soulful journey exploring the quintessential romantic emotions of falling in love. Written and recorded in his home studio, Suber tastefully blends Neo Soul, Jazz, Gospel, Salsa, and electronic synths to create a treasure trove of enjoyable tracks from start to finish.
The spoken word intro, “Daze” sets the mood with Suber asking, “Am I dreaming?”while three synths are simultaneously merged to pull listeners into a trippy hypnotic distortion. Without warning, the following track, “Urges” heats things up with a lively horn section and a thumping bass that pulses like a heartbeat. The trumpet solo adds more spice to the fiery tempo making this a stellar tune to hit the dance floor with a partner.
The melody slows down with the passionate soul-driven, “Addiction.” Suber’s beautiful emotive vocals take center stage here accompanied by catchy guitar licks and a bluesy bass. While Suber pours his heart out the tempo gradually increases with each romantic profession. His vocal prowess is captivating as he effectively nails each high note. “Thursday” is another perfect example of his impressive vocal delivery showcasing a beautiful falsetto.
Suber gets back to basics with “Make Things Simple,” proving you don’t need a complex production to make a beautiful love song. With gentle piano keys, organ, and wholesome, heartfelt love lyrics, “One plus one equals two, that’s me and you,” it’ll have listeners bouncing to the beat and singing along with the chorus.
Dripping in more hypnotic synths and infectious grooves is “Love Space,” a stand out track on the album. The lyrics “I think I love you” creates a sultry tone over a euphoric back beat. Each mesmerizing note, synth embellishment and drum beat is irresistible within this arrangement. It’s a gorgeous track that transcends listeners into a dreamy dimension.
Another track worthy of honorable mention is the summertime anthem, “Kinda Love.” This song just exudes confidence and swagger as Suber croons, “Give me that 24/7 kinda love. You seen me 78 times but it aint enough” over the funky guitar riffs and sonic ambiance.
Love Daze boasts charming songwriting and masterful production skills. Padon Suber’s beautiful soundscapes are a joy to listen to and are effective in capturing the listener’s imagination in such a way that makes each listening experience feel like falling in love for the first time.
Recommended Tracks: “Urges,” “Addiction,” “Make Things Simple,” “Thursday,” “Love Space,” and “Kinda Love.”
SONG REVIEW: Padon Suber - "Kinda Love"
By Jessica Klausing
Neo Soul artist Padon Suber releases his new single, “Kinda Love.” This is the second single off his highly anticipated album, Love Daze, which is set to release later this month.
Suber says, “Kinda Love is love in the form of infatuation of being so crazed about someone, for no specific reason other than the happiness you feel when you think about the way you function around that person. It’s that blissful feeling that makes you want to be with them all the time.”
“Kinda Love” begins with a funky guitar riff and breezy background harmonies, as Suber reminisces about the joy of just being with his love. As the chorus starts, we learn that he’s not interested in something superficial, but just, the ‘kinda love’ when you and your love just can’t get enough of each other. It’s an upbeat and feel good love song
Suber’s silky smooth voice croons, “Give me that 24/7 kinda love. You seen me 78 times but it aint enough.” The Neo Soul sonic ambiance and catchy lyrical professions is a perfect listen for long drives or just lounging poolside for the summer.
SONG REVIEW: Padon Suber - "Thursday"
By: Jessica Klausing
As featured on the On the Marq Radio Show with DJ Marq - Episode: The Antidote: Interview w/ Singer Padon Suber
R&B artist Padon Suber releases his new single “Thursday” from the upcoming album, Love Daze. This soulful track is a celebration of love that is bursting with warm tones and blissful rhythmic grooves that will have you falling in love with Suber’s sultry smooth voice.
At the start we’re treated to heavenly harmonies telling us that “It’s Thursday.” Suber coos on counting down the days until he can finally see his love with, “I can’t wait to see your face. Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. I can’t wait til this Thursday. I hope you’re on your way.”
When asked about his new song, Suber recalls, “I wrote this song as an ode to one of my band member’s relationship with his girlfriend. Before they moved in together they shared a long distance relationship, he was in Houston and she was in Louisiana. They had a system where she would come stay with him at least once a month for a full week starting on a Thursday. I was so moved by the consistency of his response toward those symbolic Thursdays that I wanted to capture that moment in a song. I think everyone can relate to that feeling of bliss when thinking about seeing the person who makes them smile.”
Filled with the soft strum of an acoustic guitar, gentle percussion, a spirited organ, and a powerful falsetto, this song is a beautiful addition to any romantic playlist or just to share with that special someone.
SONG REVIEW: Desmond Parson - "I Pledge"
By Jessica Klausing
As featured on the On The Marq Radio Show with DJ Marq - Episode: Soul glo
Encased in lush neo soul, “I Pledge” is an alluring and emotive newly released single from Desmond Parson. Portraying a message of being in love and a “pledge of allegiance” declaration from new couples and longtime couples alike, this track is the perfect choice for weddings and anniversaries. Parson coos sweetly over a mellow melody while trickling piano keys, warm horns and a heavenly choir of background harmonies bring out the retro R&B aspect into this delightful musical soundscape.
Desmond Parson is one artist not to sleep on. You can hear the Stevie Wonder influences in his music, and I for one cannot wait to see what else he brings to the soul table.
SONG REVIEW: Naja - "Closer"
By Jessica Klausing
As featured on the On The Marq Radio Show with DJ Marq - Episode: Soul glo
Heartfelt confessions and sonic backdrops take center stage on Minneapolis based artist Naja’s latest song, “Closer.” Jump starting into the song, Naja pours his heart out to the listener about not “needing no fancy things,” which builds the emotion with a concise drum beat before cresting into a layered echo of background vocals.
According to Naja, “this song is inspired from trying to reject materialism and ego, and trying to pursue spirituality. I’m a recovering drug addict, and although I have been sober for over a decade, I find that drugs are a just symptom of my soul sickness. I’ve always tried to use external things to fix the way I feel internally.”
The profound highlight of the song comes with the piano melody cascading down like gentle raindrops to cleanse and purify the soul. As Naja coos his soulful harmonies delicately, a warm saxophone injects a funky jazz element into this already rich musical soundscape. As the song winds down, Naja leaves us with the overall message that real happiness doesn’t come from outside things, and yes, life is not always great, sometimes it’s full of fear, and we have to walk through it, but we don’t have to do it alone.