Murs

Often music fans experience discombobulation listening to an artist’s first shift from an independent to a major label, but Murs has been making radio-friendly music for a minute. The difference was popularity and a disciplined substance that, although fun, never banked on hip-hop’s flavours of the week. That’s not to say Murs for President isn’t distinct. It is, but not how you would expect. Yes, the production value is richer, there are more R&B hooks and A-list cameos (Snoop and will.i.am) but through it all Murs remains humble and even uses his wide-accessibility to do good. "I’m Innocent,” "The Science” and "Can it Be” are just a few songs exemplifying his presidential platform to improve ghetto and middle America. On a g-funk beat, "Think You Know Me” tells the story of three L.A. working-class men commonly mistaken for gangsters. There are a few missteps throughout though. "Part of Me” has Murs awkwardly framed between electric guitar, piano and a pop-sung hook. The strength of his heartfelt words is withheld by his reluctance to sound as emotional as the other elements. Also, as with every Murs album, there is an excess of love ballads. Here they are clumped together at the end, so by the time "Break Up (The OJ Song)” rings in, a break up from his rollercoaster love life couldn’t come sooner. Despite them, Murs for President is a triumph. Now, if only people will actually buy his shit this time.