MESSIAH! Makes Awaited Return With New Project “PERFECT 7”

Apr 1

1933. Jun’ichiro Tanizaki releases the critically lauded “In Praise of Shadows.” “In Praise” is a book about the beauty of darkness, and how in comparison to light it’s just as important. The book argued that shadows were an influential and essential part of Japanese aesthetics, and that there must be shadows to “convey the fragile beauty of feeble light.” Though the book primarily focuses on architecture, its philosophy reaches far beyond it.

On Perfect 7, Messiah jumps between his gritty, intimidating persona and the more intimate portraits of his life in Charlotte. Messiah expects a lot from himself. He wants to provide for his family and community. He reflects on dead relatives, prays to god, and expounds beliefs about love. Yet, there is also a darker, winner takes all attitude that glimmers in the first half of the album. He wants to get rich. He wants everyone to know he’s better than them. He will strike back harder if hit. But he’s also encountered the pains of his weakness. The foundation of Messiah’s understandings about light are built from these shadows as he aptly states on "Panel 26" that “darkness can’t break me, cause it’s what made me.” The beauty of his life, like “In Praise of Shadows”, is emphasized by the dark.

From track one, “Lordy”, the essence of Messiah’s vocal delivery is understood. His low baritone, slightly melodic voice works together with the soul-esque instrumentals to alleviate the listener and produce a relaxed mood in each song. This relationship between voice and instrumental ties a knot from beginning to end on Perfect 7, sticking to the expectations from “Lordy”, the album finds strength in a consistent sound. Though, Messiah will deviate from the norm in terms of subject matter and singing.

From “Lordy” to “Panel 26”, Messiah reaches into his darker side. He’ll casually slide in a line like “get that new steel, put a beam on it” on “Deville” and then accept his weaknesses on “Panel 26” sharing personal details whether it was “long nights the xan man would help [him] up” or going “broke trying to fix [him]self.” The first half makes it clear that Messiah is cocky, but only after going through his trials. After this three track run comes the track “Shine.” The track name serves as a possible indication that after the darkness, it’s now time to revel in the greatness of oneself, and the love shared between his friends, family, and community.

“I seen love you can’t put a price tag on” is the first line after his playful, joyous chorus, and is an apt summarization of Messiah’s gratitude for life he continues to express on the second half of the album. On “Cloud Walker/ Love Bck” this gratitude is again made clear when he reflects on simple, nostalgic items such as his mom’s mac n' cheese, his dad’s collard greens, and also when he shares his wish that his late-grandma could see where he has come now. As the closing track, it’s an appropriate choice for wrapping up the album. After a long and harrowing battle with the dark, Messiah wants to reflect on the beauties of family, self-love, and self-manifestation. His key message, though simple, is powerful: accepting his own shadow has led to a greater gratitude of the sun.

Listen here.