Album Review: Ms. Lí-Lí Octave – Play on Venus (Live)
Rising Caribbean Neo Soul artist Ms. Lí-Lí Octave has released her highly anticipated live album, "Play on Venus (Live)" on September 30, 2024. The album includes 10 original tracks, written between November 2023 and February 2024, all recorded live during her performance at the Jazz ‘n Dine 2024 event at the Intercontinental Dominica Cabrits Resort and Spa.
Ms. Lí-Lí Octave
"Play on Venus" is my take on the female perspective and what we as women experience in everyday situations.
You know the famous saying that men are from Mars and women are from Venus?
Well, this is my way of inviting everyone to take on the soulful journey of the making of this lyrical Venus of mine — a planet of worded expressions which has formed this "Play on Venus" album.
You know the famous saying that men are from Mars and women are from Venus?
Well, this is my way of inviting everyone to take on the soulful journey of the making of this lyrical Venus of mine — a planet of worded expressions which has formed this "Play on Venus" album.
Ms. Lí-Lí Octave gently takes you by the hand and leads you straight to the gates of Venus on Wait (For Your Love). The track is notable for its wailing guitar and smooth bass groove.
Lay It Down, introduced by the singer as a "steamy song", is neo-soul at its best. The song is slow and viscous, with the band creating a perfect soundbed for Ms. Lí-Lí Octave's vocals.
Out Of Place uses a similar sense of smoothness and soulfulness to bring the attention to the topic of empowerment, resulting in a quietly anthemic character of the track.
You Scared introduces a change in musical palette, bringing in hints of Funkadelic and Jimi Hendrix. The song's psychedelic textures keep shapeshifting and evolving throughout the song.
Struggling is also textural, but more relaxed, with less jam band influences and more soulful tones and sounds. Ms. Lí-Lí Octave steps into the spotlight with some free-flowing, improvisational overtones in her delivery.
The next track brings us back to Grandma's Kitchen with its "lessons of love and life". The track is filled with love and warmth, expressed both in the production and in the singer's sincere delivery.
Work of Art (which could easily be the album title) is extremely atmospheric. The music is somewhat dark, but the lyrics are highly inspirational, and this contrast makes the song's message shine even brighter.
Get off Me is notable for its subtle yet infectiuos groove and crisp handclap sounds, while Mind Your Gd Business serves as the continuation of the previous track's narrative, with more interesting details like pleasantly dissonant keyboard licks and emotionally charged vocal performance.
The album closes with the celebratory Top of the World. It's funky goodness, it's crazy energy, it's insanely catchy vocalizing: "Mmm... Yeah! Alright!". The composition perfectly showcases all of its talented performers.
Overall, Play on Venus (Live) is an extremely versatile album that perfectly conveys the energy and joyfulness of Ms. Lí-Lí Octave and her incredible band performing live. It's a must-listen for all fans of Neo Soul, Funk and R&B.
Lay It Down, introduced by the singer as a "steamy song", is neo-soul at its best. The song is slow and viscous, with the band creating a perfect soundbed for Ms. Lí-Lí Octave's vocals.
Out Of Place uses a similar sense of smoothness and soulfulness to bring the attention to the topic of empowerment, resulting in a quietly anthemic character of the track.
You Scared introduces a change in musical palette, bringing in hints of Funkadelic and Jimi Hendrix. The song's psychedelic textures keep shapeshifting and evolving throughout the song.
Struggling is also textural, but more relaxed, with less jam band influences and more soulful tones and sounds. Ms. Lí-Lí Octave steps into the spotlight with some free-flowing, improvisational overtones in her delivery.
The next track brings us back to Grandma's Kitchen with its "lessons of love and life". The track is filled with love and warmth, expressed both in the production and in the singer's sincere delivery.
Work of Art (which could easily be the album title) is extremely atmospheric. The music is somewhat dark, but the lyrics are highly inspirational, and this contrast makes the song's message shine even brighter.
Get off Me is notable for its subtle yet infectiuos groove and crisp handclap sounds, while Mind Your Gd Business serves as the continuation of the previous track's narrative, with more interesting details like pleasantly dissonant keyboard licks and emotionally charged vocal performance.
The album closes with the celebratory Top of the World. It's funky goodness, it's crazy energy, it's insanely catchy vocalizing: "Mmm... Yeah! Alright!". The composition perfectly showcases all of its talented performers.
Overall, Play on Venus (Live) is an extremely versatile album that perfectly conveys the energy and joyfulness of Ms. Lí-Lí Octave and her incredible band performing live. It's a must-listen for all fans of Neo Soul, Funk and R&B.