Allow Darien Brockington to reintroduce himself.
The singer-songwriter shocked his fans and followers at the beginning of the month when out of nowhere he announced that he had a new album on the way. That album Where Love Grows has now arrived, and what should come as no surprise is how incredible the project is from start to finish.
A lot has changed since Brockington was introduced to most on The Foreign Exchange’s iconic debut album Connected on the classic cut “Come Around” in 2004. However, what has remained consistent is the quality of his vocals over the years. D-Brock sounds as good today as he did back in the day. With Connected celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, it’s a full-circle moment for Darien to be signed to Phonte and Nicolay’s +FE Music label and for Where Love Grows to be his first release on the indie imprint.
Like all +FE Music projects, Where Love Grows is a family affair and the bonds are strong. The bulk of the collection is produced by Zo! and Tall Black Guy, and Phonte guests on two tracks – with Carlitta Durand on “Wonderluv” alongside Rapper Big Pooh as Little Brother and “Love Like This” with Carmen Rodgers.
The collaborators add their sugar, spice and everything nice to the soulful groove gumbo, but Darien is the one who brings all of the flavors together with his melodious tone and marvelous pen. He deftly moves from tugging at the heartstrings on the album opener “Better Days” to a little flirtation on the dance floor on “Show U” with labelmate BeMyFiasco and Davian Dewayne.
Brockington segues from R&B to hip-hop soul vibes on “Wonderluv,” produced by Kaelin Ellis and Carrtoons, and “Only One.” After those bops, he changes the pace on “Circles” and is back to being a little lovesick on the track produced by Misha, Cocabona and Ville-Veikko Ijä. He keeps the cool down going but turns up the heat a taste on the smoldering collab “Love Like This.”
Where Love Grows ends much like it began, with an upbeat remix of “Better Days” closing the set. The eight-track LP may only be 24 minutes in length, but it is a solid and refreshing collection of music with no skips to be had. Longtime D-Brock fans will find an artist who is at the top of his game 14 years after the release of his last album, while new admirers will discover one of indie soul’s not-so-hidden gems.
Time has been kind to Darien Brockington, and Where Love Grows shows that he’s here to stay.
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