Miguel - adorn 

Imogen Thom

Recently, R&B has been working its way back into the charts, with veterans like Pharrell returning to the scene with new hits that rival his earlier N.E.R.D tracks. I have to admit the genre of R&B is pretty far removed from my personal comfort zone of gentle acoustic singer/songwriters and folk music. Perhaps what appeals most to me about R&B artist Miguel therefore, is that underneath the pretence of an R&B star he is a singer/songwriter, straining against the boundaries by fusing soul and rock provoking comparisons to legends like Prince. His greatest masterpiece to date in Adorn – a song that is as emotive as it is atmospheric with his understated vocals – and demonstrates the power of the falsetto when it is used well.

Adorn is a slow jam, produced, written and recorded by Miguel alone. The song comprises of the perfect balance of sub-bass sounds, vocal echoes and subtle synths, coupled with discrete keyboard arrangements and falsetto howls. The track has been repeatedly likened to Marvin Gaye’s 1982 song Sexual Healing, but it is more affectionate than it is lustful. Miguel accomplishes in this remarkably slick production a vibe that is undeniably sexy, but without having to belabour it. 

Released in 2012, the song was nominated for three awards at the Grammys and won in the category of Best R&B Song, with really nothing else that year able to be likened to it. Ultimately, whilst Miguel’s use of the falsetto in this song taps into the winning formula of an irresistible sound, his real strength comes from his modesty; it is deceptively simple and all the more impressive for it.