Rafter's Animal Feelings is a seamlessly sexy affair

Rafter
Animal Feelings (Asthmatic Kitty)

Usually, any album that kicks off with Auto-Tune would be an automatic write-off, but the ever-experimental Rafter Santos-Roberts makes the effect notorious for poisoning radio airwaves actually likeable—nay, lovable.

On his sixth release, the man known to fans as simply Rafter broadens the scope of conventional, contemporary R&B without straying too far from the elements that make-up that type of music. Never less than surprising, the disc is about as focused as an eight-year-old with ADHD, at times utilizing trombone, cowbell and a thumb piano all at once. But when held together by dominating bass lines and an easy drumbeat, the seeming mismarriage of instruments translates into an album that’s seamless—dare we say sexy. The San Diego based artist easily achieves a tone that is accurately described by the record’s title.

“No Fucking Around” opens the 11-track outing with porno-esque bass and vocal harmonies that almost evoke Brooklyn’s the Dirty Projectors. “Feels Good” also emanates raw sexiness, punctuated by hand claps and subtle piano.

It’s obvious that Prince remains one of Rafter’s major influences. “Animal Feelings” features more handclaps, but has a tone that’s considerably less sensual than the first half of the album—with gang vocals and a scattered fanfare of horns. Rafter uses the middle of the album as his platform for the electro-dance indie pop experimentation that he’s known for.

By the ending track, “Beauty Beauty”, the album comes full circle into a lusty, mellow number that slides back into the non-conventions of R & B. At this point, you can blow out the candles and turn the lights back on.

Download This: “No Fucking Around”