ALi’s music is a great example of sensible emo. Making without the genre’s overly dramatic antics, ALi’s music is relatable and melodic, with fantastic production and musical cues that kept me wanting more, INSIDE OUT is a rewarding listen that kept on giving throughout its relatively lengthy runtime.
An artist, a singer and a songwriter based in Dallas, Texas, ALi is a multi-cultured musical juggernaut that’s not afraid of bold musical experimentation or direct, lyrical confrontation. INSIDE OUT is ALi’s 4th studio album, presented after the longest wait between releases that ALi has ever undergone, and it shows that the songs on the album are well-thought out. A personal album that was conceived during a period of growth and change for ALi, INSIDE OUT delivers on the musical fronts just as much as on the lyrical ones.
The music on the album is uniformly dark, with frequent hints of whimsical synths that inject a lot of color and character into the consistently monochromatic mixes. There is no denying that ALi’s musical style favors mood over expression, opting to lay down atmospheric synths and bold brush strokes than utilizing instrumentation to create colorful sonic landscapes. That is not to say that the music is bland, in fact quite the opposite as while the songs and mixes tend to be monochromatic, this ends up giving the album a coherent feel and a certain maturity as it showcases ALi as an artist with a distinct and defined approach, and indeed, as an emo-centered album, INSIDE OUT is more than colorful enough.
From the warpled and charismatic, Weeknd-inspired introduction ‘GROWTH SPURT’, through the surprising punky nature of ‘GOING NOWHERE’, the earth-shattering bass rumble on ‘YOU’, the bold dance rhythms on ‘DANCING WITH YOU’, and all the way to the gentle strums on ‘THINGS I NEVER SAID’, a stunning and soft emo ballad, ALi continues to prove with each song that his musical creativity is essentially flowing. Some moments that stood out throughout the album include the bountifully dark ‘WOULD LAST’. with its mostly drumless flow and world-eating synth bass, it is a moment of lyrical and musical introspection that’s unlike anything else on the album. The relatively upbeat, Caribbean vibes on ‘LIKE THAT’ is another piece that stands out with its thin and catchy guitar licks that go perfectly alongside the characterful, syncopated rhythm, and ALi’s caramel smooth vocal deliveries.
Now is a good time to mention ALi’s production skills, which are basically the album’s most defining hallmark. With solid songs in place, meaningful lyrics, and a voice that beautifully does the job, ALi’s consistent and balanced mixes are the thing that elevates the listening experience to such a highly rewarding level. An artist fully attuned to the sound that he’s going for, the lush and rich mixes ALi creates continue to deliver solid backdrops for his introspective lyrics and unique, minimal musical ideas.
INSIDE OUT is an all around nice listen. Bridging the gap between Drake and The Weeknd, ALi’s rich musical background and varied set of skills are on full swing on the album’s songs. Jumping from one style to another, ALi’s voice is perfectly flexible and his performances are consistently approachable and gently flamboyant, and with mixes that beautifully complement the individual musical ideas, we are left with a tight and enjoyable album that is well worth the wait.
The deep and meaningful lyrics talk about a man with a dream, who awaits a night of reconciliation with a lover that never comes. Along that note, it is easy to relate to such a mental state, with heartbreak looming around the corners of every longing lover. 