If you haven’t been properly introduced to Gary Clark Jr., I’d recommend you put in that effort. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, the increasingly popular and relevant blues guitarist has just released his debut big label album, “Blak and Blu.” Clark takes listeners through blues rock, soul and a dash of hip-hop flavor to keep things exciting.
Unlike most albums, “Blak and Blu” is an immersion into a diverse spectrum of genres. If you grow tired of one style of Clark’s musicianship, just skip to the next track and you’ll feel like you’re listening to an entirely different artist. While this can come off as incohesive, it is in fact a refreshing element in the midst of an ever-growing list of standardized rock albums.
Clark presents high energy; floor stomping rock ‘n’ roll with tracks like “Ain’t Messin ‘Round” singing, “Give it up now / Play it cool,” as the song segues into blaring trumpets and screaming guitar riffs. On the other hand, Clark displays his contemporary soul and hip-hop influence in tracks like “The Life” singing, “Strapped for cash, standing on the block, drunk as hell trying to avoid the damn cops,” proving that he can make whatever music he pleases. Moreover, Clark can make even the strictest rock ‘n’ roll devotee a supporter of his more soul-oriented pieces.
“Blak and Blu,” is the album that will define Clark’s musicianship. His previous singles and EPs were only a teaser for what Clark can do both as a vocalist and as an exceptional, dare I say, prodigal guitarist. “Blak and Blu,” should not be overlooked.