Hawaii-based soul/reggae artist Siaosi recently released a new EP, entitled 5:55, on Wash House Music.
Commenting on the EP, Siaosi shares, “5:55 is my story…you think you know, but you have no idea.”
The title – 5:55 – signifies Siaosi’ angel numbers, recurring sequences of numbers in our lives hinting at important phenomena to the observer. Explained as communiques from an angel, Siaso’s reappearing numbers were 555, indicative of freedom, travel, exploration, and change. The tripling of the 5 magnifies its force, meaning big changes for the better.
Siaosi explains, “Each song on 5:55 is a chapter of my story that represents a transitional point in my life. Every chapter is a collection of emotions felt and experienced during my journey.”
Born in Oahu, Hawaii, Siaosi grew up listening to R&B artists such as Babyface, Jodeci, and New Edition, along with the reggae sounds of Gregory Isaac, Beres Hammond, and Maxi Priest. Merging his influences, he began his career singing with Hawaii’s reggae-rock band Inoa’ole, followed a few years later by going solo, wowing audiences with his soulful rock reggae sound flavored with Polynesian harmonies.
He released his debut album, Blue Room, in 2010, followed by Everything Is Good, which debuted in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Reggae Charts.
Encompassing five-tracks, the EP begins with “It’s Not Easy,” opening on a gorgeous melody topped by a braying sax, and then flowing into a bright and breezy reggae tune embellished by lustrous horns. The crisp one-drop beat imbues the music with a taut rhythm, as skiffing guitars ride overhead.
“I Wanna Love Ya” travels on creamy R&B washes of color seguing into a jazz-laced reggae number with deliciously creamy, glowing harmonies, as an alto-sax injects rippling surface colors. “Happy” rolls on tasty plonking keyboards, while a fat bassline and snapping drums imbue the tune with a glossy, measured cadence. Siaosi’s sweet quixotic tones imbue the lyrics with starry-eyed blushes.
“Midnight Snack” changes things up, exuding sensuous colors on top of a muscular throbbing kick-drum, as handclaps provide percussive pops. Slow, slinky, and sultry, this song drips with viscous R&B textures, as Siaosi narrates the roguish side of being in love.
The final track, “Perfect Melody,” features shiny brass, radiant vocal harmonies, and Siaosi strutting his scrumptious cashmere falsetto.
With 5:55, Siaosi delivers smooth reggae chock-full of delectable R&B savors, radiant harmonies, and marvelously tantalizing vocals.
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