Review: Murs' 'Captain California' plays like the bible of a man who has mastered realism and optimism

It's no secrret I am a huge Murs (Nick Carter) fan, there are few contemporary artists who are such talented vocalists, lyricists and possess such erudite minds. Perhaps what I love most about Murs as a creator is even on his darkest tracks he has a sense of hope and while social observation is always core to his music, he never comes across preachy, he sounds like a big brother laying down life lessons with a smile. Take the tune that is God Bless Kanye West, the beat is killer, the flow exceptional, yet what makes it evocative is the care and concern in Murs' voice:

Musically he never accepts a simple beat, his tracks are wonderfully rich compositions, with complex beats, strings, samples and playful melodies, take One Uh Those Days, the off beat and minimalist melody make for a striking track.

 

While tracks like his collaboration with Krizz Kaliko- Another Round- are unflinchingly vulnerable and imbued with incredible sweetness. Captain California is yet another winning offering from this hip hop veteran, looking at the world with a clear eye and a hopeful heart. Murs is truly a prolific force on the hip hop scene, his career may never have gone truly mainstream, yet he is still making his mark, continuing with each succesive album to evolve his talents and thought processes.