Anderson Paak ‘Oxnard’ Album Review

Album cover for Oxnard (2018)

Anderson Paak’s new album Oxnard pays homage to the Californian city he was born in. Following the success of his solo breakthrough 2016 masterpiece, Malibu, Paak is back to offer something just as funky.

The album opens with 'The Chase', which is a mystical opening, christened with harmonies by psych-soul singer Kadjha Bonet. It’s accompanied by one of Paak’s signature drum beat that wouldn’t seem out of place in an episode of Magnum PI.

The 80s inspired opening is somewhat short-lived as we’re transported back to 2018 when Paak begins to do what he does best; rap. From the busy traffic of 'The Chase', we’re transferred to the heavenly harmonies of 'Headlow'. Paak’s deep voice floats beautifully above the high voice of guest feature, Norelle.

The next track 'Tints' has an upbeat funk; one of the main genres of the album. An instant classic. 'Who R U' transports us back in time to Paak’s rap origins and wouldn’t be out of place in a Kendrick Lamar album; appropriate as the award-winning musician features on the previous track 'Tints'.

A juxtaposition against the funky openers, '6 Summers' is more like the previous track, and is securely R’n’B.

Oxnard is by no means bad, it’s excellent in fact. It quenches his fans’ thirst for funk but it isn’t quite the epic finale we had hoped for on Paak’s beachy trilogy, the other two albums being Malibu and Venice, now. But it’s still not a patch on his predecessor, Malibu.

Listen to Oxnard here on Spotify.