“Birthday Sex” has approached if not surpassed the efficacy of the birthday song, as it finds itself in rotation at every best friend’s drunken, sloppy born-day celebration at some point during the night. Chicago bred Jeremih has always lingered at the forefront of a dynamic wave of R&B. His voice pulsates a sexual undertone that can do wonders. The fact that “Birthday Sex” was made leisurely out of a friend’s makeshift studio in Chi-town says it all. It quickly spread to the rest of the world and had people wondering, who is this artist who spells his name, Jeremih, without an ‘a’?
All bullshit aside, this project is an amazing piece of work. Song after song limbers as you go through them and guest appearances from some of the game’s hottest artists ensures that he doesn’t feel years late. In truth, he doesn’t need them, delivering apple-pie-like R&B like the retro futurist he’s been trying to be. Late Nights is exactly what Jeremih needed to get his career moving.
“Planez,” featuring J. Cole, works despite its sheer redundancy. “Have you ever read the world is yours, on a blimp?” he croons, drawing blood from the luxury R&B stone that is the scorn of the tens. J. Cole’s verse is the cherry on top, somehow, despite it being bombastic almost to a fault. This set the bar for the album to come, and he does not disappoint. “Don’t Tell Em” featuring YG peaked at number six on the Billboard 100. In fact, the song is so good, it’s still getting overplayed on radio stations and in the clubs.
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Of course, this album features Ty Dolla $ign. The collab of two of R&B’s hottest voices makes “Impatient” a sure candidate for another single. “Oui” is the latest one, though, and proves once again why Jeremih is here to stay. The vocals on the track are incendiary. Another romantic track for the ladies, which also grabs the attention of men as well.
Switching between slow jams and turn up music, Jeremih proves he can give variety in his sound. Some more features: if you’re a Migos fan, you will love “Giv No Fuks.” Period. “Woosah” featuring Juicy J and Twista makes you feel insipid and semi-lucid. Just the way R&B likes it.
Years removed from his last record, Jeremih proves that label issues and personal drama shouldn’t drown out a talent that people still very much love. But there are things missing. It’s far too safe at times, and, in 2015, we’d like a little blurring of the R&B line. The seams sometimes show abruptly, ripping the listener out of her suspension of belief. And Def Jam has seemed to do him no favors, with even 50 Cent coming to his aid seemingly of his own accord. Still, Late Nights shoots at the moving target that is modern rhythm and blues and scores, because sometimes sheer talent just can’t be denied.
