Strange Clouds (album)

Untitled

Strange Clouds is the second studio album of American hip hop recording artist B.o.B, set to be released May 1, 2012, on Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records.

Background

B.o.B first spoke of the album, back in May 2011 in an interview with MTV. During the interview he mentioned: "I would have to parallel my album coming out to losing your virginity," he told MTV at the South by Southwest festival. "The first time you have sex is way more exciting than the second time. Not that the second time isn't exciting, it's just ... the initial excitement of finally having that first album." He went on to speak of his second album stating: "I think that people will definitely be surprised at the music they hear on the second album," he added. "I don't think they would expect that coming from me." On June 9, 2011 B.o.B confirmed he was working on his follow-up album to B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010). In a statement given to Detroit’s MLive.com, Bobby Ray said: "I’m really excited about this one. You’re always excited about every project. But I really feel like I’m in my groove with this one. I’m more aware of myself as an instrument, as a sound. It’s more intentful." As the Atlanta rapper continued, he spoke on his process of making songs as if he was performing the song live: "I make music just to perform it. A lot of the thought process (of working on an album) goes into actually performing it." On September 27, 2011 B.o.B appeared on an online video stream on Atlanta's V-103 WVEE radio station, to promote the lead single "Strange Clouds". While there he announced the title of the album to also be Strange Clouds and is to be released in early Spring of 2012. Bobby Ray held the first listening session for the album at Tree Sound Studios on October 25, 2011. Seven new songs were previewed during the listening session, including his next single "Play the Guitar" which features André 3000. Other guest appearances confirmed, as the album was not fully complete, include Lil Wayne, Big K.R.I.T., Nelly and a song with T.I. titled "Arena". In addition he has worked with OneRepublic on a song and has been quoted as having: "the song of 2012 with a mega feature from somebody who never does features with anyone!".

Music

Recording and production

Strange Clouds features B.o.B working with his usual collaborators such as Jim Jonsin and Dr. Luke, the latter of whom produced hit singles "Magic" and "Strange Clouds". In a interview with Rap-Up, Jim Jonsin spoke of his Rebel Rock artist's upcoming album: "We cut four songs and there’s two that I really like. One record has like a reggae vibe to it, hip-hop with some reggae. It’s pretty big. I think that’s a possible single." "He’s kinda figuring out the direction and I’m hoping to close out with him to do another three or four songs before the album’s done", Jonsin told Rap-Up.com. While his debut may have been jam-packed with features, Jonsin doesn’t expect too many guests this time around: "I don’t think he’s doing as many features. I think most of his singles will be him and he just wants the fans to hear a lot more of him on this album. It’s gonna be incredible."

Songs

Sound-Savvy was invited to the October 25th listening session at Tree Sound Studios. B.o.B played 8 songs from the album for a private audience, then sat down with Mack of Sound-Savvy to talk about the new album. One of the tracks premiered was "Play the Guitar", B.o.B’s ode to his instrument of choice. He describes the song as one that expresses his "love for music and love for the guitar". The song features André 3000, who rarely does guest appearances for other artists. Of the song, B.o.B says: "I feel like it shows people that we are two different artists and we actually do sound different and have our own styles. Not to say that I wasn’t influenced by Outkast and Andre, but I feel like it’s a ‘pass-the-torch’ type of moment. He really gave me a lot of love on the feature and I’m looking forward to hearing what people have to say about it.” Sound-Savvy inquired about how he approached this album differently from his previous projects to which B.o.B responded: "I feel like I had to combine the way I approached a mixtape AND an album. With the Adventures of Bobby Ray, it was a very condensed version with only 11-12 tracks. I wanted to be able to show people who fell in love with the album AND the people who fell in love with the mixtapes, from Cloud 9 to The Adventures of Bobby Ray, I wanted to make music for those fans." That said, he stressed the importance of remaining true to himself and always use his voice and candor to present his ideas and deliver a message. "My dad always says “Now you wanna show people you know music, but pretty soon you’re gonna wanna show people that you know people. And I feel like this album is more on that tip but it still has even better and more mature musicality." As for "Play the Guitar" the hook features a sample of T.I.’s verse from Drake’s ‘Fancy’. B.o.B. introduced this one with his origins on playing the guitar, which he picked up after urges from his brother. B.o.B played an incomplete version of "5 on the Kush", it hadn’t been mixed or mastered. This track features Big K.R.I.T. and one other undisclosed rapper whose verse wasn't heard. He describes this very accurately as a "Good Southern hip-hop song…". Sound-Savvy said "It had a very old school sounding, slow beat with a southern thump to it. This one’s a banger for the car." A song called "So Hard to Breathe" was played and B.o.B called it a "sibling or sequel to ‘Don't Let Me Fall’". He produced this one, and wrote the hook along with Sean Garrett. Sound-Savvy stated "it opened with an solemn acoustic guitar intro and progresses into a soaring electric guitar backing. Lyrically, it has a tone that’s both introspective and retrospective of his career thus far and his life before stardom. He informed us that this song is a favorite of both he and his team. I can definitely hear why." They called "Arenas" featuring T.I. "a real stadium sounding record, inspired by his live performances and his penchant for interacting with his fans in concert." B.o.B said he wanted to make "something for the fans to sing along to at the shows" and Sound-Savvy agreed saying: "Sure enough, towards the end of the song, one glance around the room told me that his plan had worked: a large part of the audience was mouthing the hook. Catchy and not too complicated." Before playing "MJ", his collab with St. Louis native Nelly, B.o.B reminded the audience that he’s "always been the type of artist to say how I feel" and that the album "really shows all sides of me." Ryan Tedder worked with B.o.B on "So Good", which the rapper describes as a "victory lap song with a big sound that a lot of people will gravitate towards". Sound-Savvy commented "In concept and sonically (probably due to Tedder) it reminds me of OneRepublic’s current single ‘Good Life’ but has quite a few differences. Not a rip by any means. I could hear it as a feel-good summer single for the pop stations." "So Good" was supposed to be the final song, but a request from a female in the audience to hear a “record for the ladies” prompted B.o.B to play "Circles". Sound-Savvy: "It wasn’t one of the strongest, but it wasn’t a dud either. It garnered high praise and applause from the ladies who eagerly let him know they liked it.". Recently, Waka Flocka Flame and B.o.B were in the studio recording a song called "Fist Pump", later B.o.B posted a video of the recording session.".

Confirmed tracks

• "Strange Clouds" (featuring Lil Wayne; produced by Dr. Luke & Cirkut) 3:46
• "Play the Guitar" (featuring André 3000; produced by Salaam Remi) 3:24
• "Arena" (featuring T.I.; produced by AD)
• "Circles"
• "MJ" (featuring Nelly)
• "So Good" (featuring Ryan Tedder; produced by Ryan Tedder)
• "Fist Pump"(featuring Waka Flocka Flame; produced by Southside)
• "Worlds & Stars" (featuring Drake & Kanye West; produced by T-Minus)

External links

• Official website