How to Dress Well, the pseudonym of singer-songwriter Tom Krell has evolved significantly from his beginnings.Initially embracing ambient sounds alongside a voice that screams R&B, Krell has essentially transitioned into his fourth studio album, ‘Care’, with a sense of loving pop. Arguably his most polished and collaborative work yet, Krell leads listeners into a world of self-assurance and self-reliance packed with catchy hooks. The opening track, “Can’t You Tell”, perfectly sets the tone of the album and shows Krell’s abilities as a singer. Immediately after, the listener is thrown into a 7-minute long stunner, “Salt Song” that truly exemplifies Krell’s layering and composition capabilities. Other notable tracks being “Lost Youth / Lost You” and “Anxious” leave lingering melodies that are definitely hard to forget.
Recruiting help from the guitarist of ‘Fun.’ and singer of ‘Bleachers’, Jack Antonoff, as a co-producer, the influence becomes apparent in the direction that Krell has taken in ‘Care’. Although for earlier fans who savor the lush chillwave, this transformation from his previous album, ‘What is This Heart?’ may be a bit off-putting. Hope is not lost as tracks such as ‘Time Was Meant to Stay’ still continue to deliver the heady electronic experimentation of Krell. Overall, How to Dress Well will always serve as a great example of modern alternative R&B, and Krell’s gorgeous “consent-pop” is filled with radio-worthy hooks that deserve a listen.
RIYL: Blood Orange, Twin Shadow, Active Child, Autre Ne Veut
Recommended Tracks: 1 (Can’t You Tell), 4 (Lost Youth / Lost You), 8 (Anxious), 9 (Time Was Meant to Stay)
Do Not Play: 3 (What’s Up), 5 (The Ruins)
Written by Grant Martin 9/29/2016